New owner....wheel question. !!

[stonkn]

Hello everybody.
After years of TVRs, Ferraris & a variety of pocket draining cars, I have joined the owners of Nobles with a GTO 3R. My first question needing your collective experience & knowledge refers to the wheels. Although the wheels look like they are split rims, I am informed they are not. My rims have just a little corrosion so I suggested to the dealer I would have them painted a satin black. However, apparently the 'chrome socket heads' are plastic....I suspect ABS.... thus an acid dip dissolves them. Not dipping them also means that you are painting the 'chrome deposition' surface of the sockets & I wonder about the longevity of paint on that surface. Can these 'sockets' be purchased still or has anybody some experience of painting them.
Many thanks in advance. Marco

[AMG Merc]

stonkn said:

Hello everybody.
After years of TVRs, Ferraris & a variety of pocket draining cars, I have joined the owners of Nobles with a GTO 3R. My first question needing your collective experience & knowledge refers to the wheels. Although the wheels look like they are split rims, I am informed they are not. My rims have just a little corrosion so I suggested to the dealer I would have them painted a satin black. However, apparently the 'chrome socket heads' are plastic....I suspect ABS.... thus an acid dip dissolves them. Not dipping them also means that you are painting the 'chrome deposition' surface of the sockets & I wonder about the longevity of paint on that surface. Can these 'sockets' be purchased still or has anybody some experience of painting them.
Many thanks in advance. Marco

Welcome Marco. The plastic bolts are glued in from new. Some prefer to refit all 29 per wheel. As you say, they are dissolved during the wheel refurbishing process. I prefer without and mine have suffered no ill effects since removing them many years ago - I'm of the belief that adding glue to fresh paint, and messing around with flush fitting bolts which may scratch the newly painted surface should be avoided. Also, I'd wager that it's hard to tell whether they're present or not from a distance...

[stonkn]

Brilliant... many thanks. When you say that some have refitted all of them, can they still be purchased? The actual pockets you show on the photo don't look unpleasant but I just wondered if it is still possible to buy them?
Thanks again for the info. Marco

[AMG Merc]

stonkn said:

Brilliant... many thanks. When you say that some have refitted all of them, can they still be purchased? The actual pockets you show on the photo don't look unpleasant but I just wondered if it is still possible to buy them?
Thanks again for the info. Marco

Sure Marco, if you want them, there's a way. Others will be along soon to explain how they went about it.

[v8yes]

I've got a couple of wheels left in shed iff your stuck one with cut rim and one in anthracite think there both fronts

[stonkn]

Thanks for the info...I await with baited breath to find out where to get the 'sockets' from....thanks also for the offer on the wheels but the dealer is painting the wheels within the purchase price.

Marco

[verba1]

Not sure if you can still get the plastic hex ones .

This thread might help as an alternative.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

HTH

Stefano

[brappage]

v8yes said:

I've got a couple of wheels left in shed iff your stuck one with cut rim and one in anthracite think there both fronts

How much would you be looking for the one standard wheel, wouldn't mind having a spare in the garage.

I got a new set of the bolt heads from Bespoke Performance which was part of the deal when I purchased the car as there were a few of the plastic ones missing. They are however metal ones which appear to have been machine down. I plan to refurb the wheels and glue these in when I get them back. (still to decide on colour). Possibly worth contacting Martin at Bespoke Performance as he may be able to get you a set.

Cheers

[JW027]

Hi Guys,
under request from other owners I have created 3D printed faux wheel nuts.

I sent 1 to Steve Spitty to test the fit. These would just need painting in the colour/finish you wanted once printed.

[stonkn]

Yet again, thanks for the leads & info.

I probably did not mention, but I work as a consultant in automotive development & have a small rapid prototyping machine here…I also have a good friend who is a supplier to us with a high quality RPD machine ( he makes ABS trim parts for me) so if you have a CAD file & have any issues getting them made, I can get them made easily.

I will also contact Bespoke as well.

Marco

[AMG Merc]

stonkn said:

Yet again, thanks for the leads & info.

I probably did not mention, but I work as a consultant in automotive development & have a small rapid prototyping machine here…I also have a good friend who is a supplier to us with a high quality RPD machine ( he makes ABS trim parts for me) so if you have a CAD file & have any issues getting them made, I can get them made easily.

I will also contact Bespoke as well.

Marco

Now that's interesting

[stonkn]

I would really be interested in looking at an alternative route having just been given a quote of £340 to fit all the wheels with the mettallic caps !!!!!!!!!!

[URTOAST]

Alternative route --> Speedlines :-)

;-)

Brian

[Zoobeef]

I cut the heads off A4 stainless socket head bolts.

[patsrocket]

I also went the stainless bolt route by cutting the heads off and used epoxy to secure them back in.
I had my wheels powdercoated black and had a guy make a custom center logo.
I know some don't like the stock wheel design/look but I actually love them!
I just didn't like silver wheels on my black car.

Edited by patsrocket on Thursday 8th January 21:45

Edited by patsrocket on Thursday 8th January 21:47