My alloys are scruffy as f*ck, and i\'m finally ready to do something about them. They are all roughly in the same condition - following couple of shots are of average marks:
(http://project.mentalspace.co.uk/PICT3827.jpg)
(http://project.mentalspace.co.uk/PICT3829.jpg)
Any suggestions / tips on how I can make them look better? I\'ve got a dremel, although currently no polishing bits - would this be a reasonable approach?
The catch: I\'m parked in an open carpark, have no spare wheels, and no axel stands. I do have a large battery-powered mains adapter, so I can use the dremel in the car park (at least for short periods, i think - haven\'t tried it yet :D)
are they mania racing ? try wet and dry, masking tape, spary paint and a lot of patience.
best result take them to a wheel refurbisher £70 each for a pro job (mayb cheaper).
or go to a metal polisher and ask him to remove the paint from the rims and polish them up :Thumbsup!
I was thinking along those lines myself. Only trouble is, I can only get one or two wheels off at a time (and only then if I get myself a set of axle-stands).
Given that I don\'t have spare wheels, or a replacement car, getting them to a shop would be hassle, and all the time they are there, I can\'t use the car...
So, I\'m wondering what I can do myself, one wheel at a time...
and yeah - they are Mania wheels ;)
Sounds like you need to borrow a set of wheels
Martin H
^ what he said, you need to borrow a set of wheels.
If you are going to do it your self i would recommend taking the tyres off. It will make the job loads easier.
There are a few wheel polishing guides out there...
I only have this one bookmarked...
http://www.s10forum.com/how_to_polish_aluminum_wheels
Lok on ebay or similar - you can usually get a set of original wheels pretty cheap..
I got 4 original wheels with MOT passable tyres for £30.... :D
As for hand polishing, mine were £175 a wheel + vat. That was the whole wheel (all spokes, all little bolts, 3 piece split rims etc etc).
Slightly pricey....
Polishing is hard and everyone I spoke to suggested against it. You can still get fairly good results with a poor mans wheel referb. i.e. respray them your self.
I have some beaten up 17"s with 2 very good front tyres you could have for £30. Been meaning to sell them for ages.
I agree that getting a spare pair of wheels would be sensible option (would save me using the spacesaver too if I get a flat) but...
I live in a single room flat, and I don\'t have a garage - so unfortunately, the only spares I can afford to keep are those I can fit in my (very small) tool box :/
Still - I\'ll have to look into spraying them (instead of polishing)...
Hmmm - Painting looks like a viable option. Question - what colours do people think would work?
Obviously, gloss black would go OK - but I was wondering what other colours people think would work well with the metallic red bodywork.
For reference, here are a couple of shots of the car - day and night :)
Day:
(http://photo.mentalspace.co.uk/2008/%5B2008-04-26%5D%20New%20RX7/slides/PICT3775.jpg)
Night:
(http://project.mentalspace.co.uk/PICT3824.jpg)
Maybe a gun-metal grey or something would work?
call mania and ask if they do a paint kit as these are the more desireable mania alloys and would probably get you good money if you decided to sell when in refurb condition :yes
...then get some HUUUUUGGGEEEE deep dish shiny ones like in the refurb guide ;)
nice car toooooooooooo
Is your car your daily driver ??
Martin H