[How-to] Do A Rim Job

mcnab said:
Excellent write-up. I used a very similar process months ago to restore some polished wheels.



And let me say....that is one SEXY Z!



Also let me add something in about the Aircraft Stripper...BE VERY VERY VERY CAREFULL with this stuff. If this is the same stuff I used, it's a green looking oooze and it's VERY powerfull stuff. You need much more protection than a simple pair of gloves to use this stuff. I got a bit on my skin when I was using it (didn't notice it at the time) and within seconds I had an unbarable burning sensation on my skin. I managed to get it off in time, but the stuff is harsh for a reason.....I used it to strip the wrinkle paint off my valve cover...
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Thanks! Yes, you're right about hte stripper. I didn't use gloves at all and it was a mistake. Every time I got a drop on my finger I'd have to run them under water. If you don't realize it got on you then your skin will start seriously burning within SECONDS. It doesn't stop after you rinse it either and hurts for a few minutes. Seriously, if you plan on using it be careful. I dropped it on a few spots I wasn't trying to remove clear coat from and it strips the paint off before you can get to it. :eek:
 
Thanks a ton for all the compliments on my Z too guys! That's what we all do it for anyway. :) I've finally gotten it the way I want it... or at least to a point where I've slowed down modding. It has tons of parts on it. I even just got done with my new audio system. Alpine 9860, iPod, JL Audio VR speakers & tweeters, JL 500/1 amp, and JL stealthbox with 2 10w3v2's. I'm loving the quality of the new sound.



Axis wheels 19x9.5 & 19x8.5

Hotchkis adjustable sway bars

Eibach springs

Aerosync front bumper

Tinted taillights, tag cover, windows

Intake, test pipes, & nismo cat-back exhaust



Okay, I'll stop rambling now. :) Thanks for the compliments!
 
Damn that was a lot of replies. Haha! Okay, one more pic for the fun of it. Just because it's my favorite.



If anyone else has questions, feel free to ask. I did the write-up to help out everyone else. :)



On the way to ZDayz 06 at the Tail of the Dragon:

buddy15dr.jpg
 
jdhutchin said:
There was a writeup on autopia-carcare or betterautocare that said how to fix the curb damage- basically you use a substance to fill it in, and then polish and re-clear.



The wheels look great- I'd definitely pay someone to clearcoat them though. You've done all the tough prep work, a shot of clear would help keep them looking great!
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http://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/949926.phtml



there's a website i had down seraching through the m3forums. let me know how it works out, do you know what kind of bondo they used?
 
You will want to reclear them or use one of the products designed to coat bare aluminum wheels (like they use for racing wheels). If not, you're in for constant polishing. I tried the wax deal on some uncoated aluminum and it has very poor durability - I would imagine becasue of the porus nature of the the material.
 
Decided to strip the black enamel + factory CC off my RX7 GXL wheels, so far so good, I'll make a post later :)
 
Oh man... Thanks! I just spit out my beer I was drinking when I saw the thread! :chuckle:



Anyway, very nice wheels er ah "rims" with such a great detail of pictures and how-to. :2thumbs:



Very nice "Z" car! I myself missed out in getting black Carerra S wheels. I tried to change my order, but it went into production so I got locked in the stock ones.



Regards,



Deanski
 
Sorry to bounce this one up again, but when you strip, how do you protect the tires?



Also, with clear coated wheels, can you strip the clear and just use a good wax if you only use them during the summer with no exposure to salt?
 
"How to do a rim job"

LOL

Nice job, looks like your gettin pretty good at those rims jobs! How much would a rim job like that run? LOL

Nice car too!
 
Absolutley dynamite looking automobile .... good job on the wheels :clap:



Question...any one have any ideas on how to DIY this type of refinish or restoration on a wheel with fine lines (circular pattern or lines on the surface)....I don't think or I am unsure that I would be able to get a uniform final finish???? I have stock wheels form a 1990 Buick Reatta....
 
Would it have been easier to have the tires dismounted? I'm thinking about doing this on a set of truck wheels. Strip off the clearcoat and then powdercoat them black.
 
I started this project today after reading the thread last week. So far, I've stripped the clear using aircraft stripper and have started wetsanding. I won't be done for a little while since I'm also redoing (repainting) the centers. I'll be running on my stock wheels for now.
 
Sorry to bump up an old thread, but i guess it's better than reposting.



Question. How did you protect the center when you applied the stripper? How do you take off the stripper?
 
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