Doing a facelift of my OZ Wheels

Doing a facelift of my OZ Wheels

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Discussion

kylie

Original Poster:

4,391 posts

262 months

Friday 31st January 2003
quotequote all
We thought it would be a good idea to start polishing the alloy rims and see how they turn out. We will replace all the bolts with polished stainless button heads, so will look very smart. The existing ones are a bit past it but still going keep them.

The alloy was powder coated clear, which took some time cutting back. Used a material buffing wheel on a drill and started off with 80grit polishing compound, then a compound called hyfin for the finish. You can see before and during and all the spots where we need to finish. Will post another pic when all done.

While the wheels are coming off in stages, will paint the brake calipers gold.

www.fotango.com/p/eba00286996f00000014.jpg

After a little polishing

www.fotango.com/p/eba00286996f00000013.jpg

Got a lot of work to do yet, but you get the idea.

discovered since that they are actually not OZ racing but Revolution Wheels as per X180r

>>> Edited by kylie on Friday 31st January 08:59

>>> Edited by kylie on Friday 31st January 09:00

>>> Edited by kylie on Tuesday 4th February 05:03

abrussich

106 posts

260 months

Friday 31st January 2003
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Nice job Kylie. Looks a hundred % better.

superdave

935 posts

261 months

Friday 31st January 2003
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Looks smart... Was this a planned thing or did you just get the urge after the recent topics over alloy wheels? Are you doing this work yourself, if so, How easy was it?
Your probably fed up with my wheel senario but I did consider polishing the rims. Problem is, that whilst the rears have a definate step in the rim so I can define where to stop the rim, the fronts don't. They are more flush and i think it would look a bit stupid.
Need to do something sooner rather than later while it's still winter here.

Keep in the good work!


Cheers,



Dave Walters



p.s what's the cat's name?
p.p.s Haven't you found some of the topics in the past week to be load of bull? Certain individuals hey , we won't name them.

kylie

Original Poster:

4,391 posts

262 months

Friday 31st January 2003
quotequote all
Dave, yeah when I bought the car the partner was polishing his whole engine for his hot rod at the time!!! (hes a shiny magpie), so had all the right stuff and suggested my rims would come up a millions bucks if I would let him near them. So yip your posts have reminded me to get going on my wheels. Got two groovy cats, called Tui (native NZ bird) and Tiger.

Mine are three peice wheels, alloy rims and magenesium centres, so the best way to do it properly is to take them apart carefully, firstly letting out some of the air in the tire as you dont want the wheel exploding everywhere when you undo the bolts. Or if you can be bothered, take to a tire place and remove tyre altogether. I would not take completly apart unless you really have done this before, its quite hard. Just take bolts out and mask off areas not wanting to be touched. This enables you to polish right to the edges without damaging the paint on the centres and gives a perfect finish.

Was wondering if you could take a close-up piccy using a flash of one of your wheels so I can see the angles better. Just I cant see them clearly from your profile pics. Are they two piece?

The actual work is very easy to do, just depends if you have time to do it. Its always nice to say to people that you did the work yourself

>> Edited by kylie on Friday 31st January 21:21

katolotus

49 posts

277 months

Saturday 1st February 2003
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Have you see what arne did to his alloys on Lotus Esprit World (www.lotusespritworld.com/EMaintenance/wheelrefurb.html). Though you might be interested.

kato
Lotus Esprit World

kylie

Original Poster:

4,391 posts

262 months

Saturday 1st February 2003
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Hi yeah he has done a great job, although for all that effort I thought he should have kept them polished as they would stand out more. But that is only my opinion. And the price a little expensive too. Worked out with buying different sized poilshing wheels, compounds, sand paper, other small items and taking to the garage, max NZD $500.00. But will see :-)