1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

restoration of 83 LE rims

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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 12:35 AM
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restoration of 83 LE rims

I'm currently fixing up a set of LE rims and thought some of you may wanna see what they're looking like.

[IMG][/IMG]
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 12:52 AM
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before pics.......only have 2 done and working on the last two.
[IMG][/IMG]
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 04:30 AM
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daaaaayyyyuuuumMMMM!!!! Process if I may ask? Looks painted to me... Please tell me the lips were machine polished....
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 11:36 AM
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I sanded the lips by hand. it took about 3.5 hours a piece so far just for the lips. lol The centers are painted. I bought some automotive piant and had them put it in an aerosol can. It actually works really well and is so much better quality than the normal rattle can for obvious reasons.
as for the process....... I simply took 180 grit sand paper and completely sand off all the paint on the lips and removed as many defects as possible. On rim so far had a wheel weight that ate into the aluminum a bit. i sanded it as smooth as possible and only left a little scar that was too deep to remove. Then I went back over them and sanded the crap outta them with 400 grit till they looked like brushed aluminum. Then the final step was to use some eagle one wadding polish. This stuff it amazing!
BUT...... in order to clear it you have to remove all the residue so after much cleaning i took some thinner and just wiped down the lips once more to assure all impurities were removed and the clear would stick well. my hands are so sore my fingers were locking up by the end of wheel 2. So its a long process. I hope to sand down #3 after work tonight but we"ll see...... I gotta get them done to put on our new 81.
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 11:38 AM
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oh and the color is a sorta burnt copper color with metallic and Helios effects....... I dont really see the Helios in there but metallic yes!
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 11:45 AM
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I have been down this road before, I like what you did with the centers.

Keep going man, these wheels are so rare it will totally be worth the effort

here is a pic of what i did to mine
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 11:47 AM
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very nice! polishing wheel?
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 11:49 AM
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I didnt wanna get too polished cause I didn't wanna go for the chrome look. I love aluminum so I wanted them polished and clean but still aluminum looking.
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 12:19 PM
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100% hand sanded and polished.
I sanded, then wet sanded, then polished with mothers mag wheel polish, then polished with mothers mag wheels polish 3 more times!
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 01:57 PM
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very nice!!!!! have you doe all 4 yet?
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 04:55 PM
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I did these 4 years ago. sold the set after I went 5 lug conversion.

wheels look awesome on the car, what color is your FB ?
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Old Jun 14, 2011 | 03:55 AM
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mines black but I think I'm gonna put them on the GF and my car thats gunmetal grey. they would look nice on either one tho. but the black 7 already has gunmetal rota rb's
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Old Jun 14, 2011 | 07:59 AM
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Those are looking really nice! Makes me wanna break out my set and do something with them lol.
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Old Jun 14, 2011 | 08:07 AM
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break em out and ship them to me
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Old Jun 14, 2011 | 12:23 PM
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i thought about trying this with a set of stock "+" rims and maybe a set of SA combs....... and whatever else i can get my hands on really. lol
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Old Jun 14, 2011 | 12:37 PM
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i have 3-4 sets of stock "+" rims that ive been wanting to try something to. but everything i think of doesnt seem like it would look good in my head.
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 04:08 AM
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if youve got that many sets whats it gonna hurt to try it on a couple?! lol have fun!
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 06:27 AM
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right now? time... or I would i still have that many and i just scrapped 8. two cars i bought came with an extra set of wheels. crazy
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