Mr grey's rimjob

Discussions relating to MX5 Tyre choice, Wheels, Brakes Suspension components and other items to keep you going around corners, stuck to the ground or stopping on a dime.

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MrGrey
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Mr grey's rimjob

Post by MrGrey » Thu May 02, 2013 6:22 pm

couldn't resist, had to use that thread title.

I have to get new tyres for my impending WOF so I decided to give my rims a birthday. Originally they were painted lipstick red so I gave them a repaint with some matt black but now its time to give them some real attention.

I started by using an industrial paint stripper and after about 1.5 hours per rim I got them back to bare alloy. 3 of the 4 rims had a little "Nico" badge so I will remove them and replace them with something a little unique. (suggestions welcome)

Next on the menu is getting the rims touched up by an aluminum welder which has been quoted at roughly $80 per rim (fixing the gravel rash and some dings in the edge of the rims) then I will unleash an etch primer and (probably) paint them completely black. I gather that polishing is a time consuming job so I don't think I can be arsed trying to get them back to as new.

I'll post pics as I go incase some one ever wants to go down a similar path and I'm open to suggestions or tips. 8)
Attachments
wheels.jpg

SkilletKid
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Post by SkilletKid » Thu May 02, 2013 7:12 pm

Hehe... rimjob.



No real suggestions here though, I like the sound of your plan so far haha. How much would powder coating wheels cost? Or is that not advisable due to the heat softening the metal a bit?
"Yes, you got that, 16 years of [MX5] ownership and you too can become the Obi-wan Kenobi of not giving a s**t." - Moti

MrGrey
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Post by MrGrey » Thu May 02, 2013 7:26 pm

I think powdercoating would be fine but have leaned towards this route as my work doesn't stock powdercoat paint whilst I can get everything else there (I work @ Bunnings)

heheh rimjob heheh

authentic
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Post by authentic » Thu May 02, 2013 7:35 pm

I came into this thread expecting something else.

Needless to say, I am disappointed.

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Post by chris » Fri May 03, 2013 9:00 am

Rim job om nom nom, Just me? Oh okay...

Can you get a centre cap that says something along the lines of "Not just any rim"
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Post by Stevo » Fri May 03, 2013 5:58 pm

Its about $100 per rim to get them repaired and painted. Thats only $20 per rim more than just the repair only and you get a primo paint job.
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Post by MrGrey » Fri May 03, 2013 9:23 pm

You raise a good point, but seen as I can get the materials for bugger all and because in the long term I want to replace them with work equip 01's or replica's, I am using this as a learning exercise to teach myself some new skills.

I was never a "car" person until I bought my 5, I never even gave a toss about looking at car mags but since my purchase I have dove head first in and learned a lot. So all in all this speedy processing of upskilling myself has been a very fun experience so far :D

I'd actually do the mag repairs myself (my dad was an engineer so I am kinda handy with 'stuff') but I simply couldn't justify the expense of getting a welder that could weld aluminum/alloy and would mostly sit around gathering dust after the wheels had been welded.

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Post by MrGrey » Tue May 07, 2013 5:41 pm

well, I got busy today and decided only 2 rims really need repair, so the other two rims got some new tyres put on em' and then I used some 400 grit sand paper to remove any oxidization and to scuff up the outer chrome (I could have kept the chrome but it would have needed A LOT of polishing)

this is what they currently look like after a bit of etch primer.

Image

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Post by MrGrey » Wed May 08, 2013 6:09 pm

BLAAAAAAAAAAACK!
Image

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Post by REDBEN » Wed May 08, 2013 9:16 pm

They look awesome dude!

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Post by MrGrey » Wed May 08, 2013 10:17 pm

Thanks Ben :)

Apart from the basics (eg how important the prep work is), the key lesson I have learned is all about painting temperature. Due to the horrible weather we have had, the ambient temperature has be kinda nippy. This did not help the paint evenly apply. So after carefully resanding the bad spots with wet n dry sandpaper, I used a heater to warm up the rims prior to painting and before spraying I *carefully* warmed the rattlecan to get it warm.

This had the desired effect of helping the paint flow smoothly and gave it a much nicer coat.

And if anyone is interested, I have been using "Rust Guard" brand paint from Bunnings. I have used it on all my painting sofar and it has (for me) been a good quality, cost effective paint. I know there are other good brands out there, but as I get staff discount I tend to get most things from Bunnings. (got to love working at a DIY shop)

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Post by REDBEN » Wed May 08, 2013 10:41 pm

Yeah man heating them up prior to painting is key! I used to make a little oven out off Cardboard boxes cut a little hole for the heater to fit in and presto got your self a bake oven even if it sounds rough it works!

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Post by REDBEN » Wed May 08, 2013 10:42 pm

Heating also gets rid of any surface moisture too 8)

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Post by MrGrey » Wed May 08, 2013 10:49 pm

A cardboard box heater oven?

Brilliant idea! kiwi ingenuity at its finest!
pew pew pew! +karma for a great idea!

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Post by REDBEN » Wed May 08, 2013 10:54 pm

Haha Yeah man thats the one warm up before painting and after has always worked wonders for me, even on wet humid days paint cures good too! Just pays to put the box down where dust isn't around or sweep up first or the heater/fan can pick it up and throw it all over your nice paint job in seconds.

I have done that a number of times done a great job come back a few hours later and damn out comes the sandpaper :roll:

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Post by REDBEN » Wed May 08, 2013 10:55 pm

Haha Cheers man

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Post by MrGrey » Mon May 13, 2013 7:06 pm

I got my 2 rims back from the repairer today and they did a great job!
the cost was $80 per rim (seems all rim repairs cost a standard $80)
If you need rim repairs in the Whangarei area, I can recommend "Jack and Mortimore" (you'll find them in the yellow pages if you need em')

This afternoon I gave the rims a sand with 400 grit to remove any oxidization, gave them a coat of etch primer and then put a coat of black on them.

Tomorrow I will put a final coat on them and then they will be good to go 8)

This is the two of them after the first coat in my ultra futuristic, high tech, scientific grade professional painting booth.
Image

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Post by SkilletKid » Mon May 13, 2013 7:25 pm

Hehe rimjob. Hehe.


Looking good man. Might recommend this to my brother with his gammy and rusted wheels.
"Yes, you got that, 16 years of [MX5] ownership and you too can become the Obi-wan Kenobi of not giving a s**t." - Moti

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Post by MrGrey » Mon May 13, 2013 7:32 pm

show him these videos:

repairing your rims
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDfnui1M4OE

painting your rims
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oG-1uzLJr0
:D

SkilletKid
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Post by SkilletKid » Mon May 13, 2013 8:19 pm

MrGrey wrote:show him these videos:

repairing your rims
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDfnui1M4OE

painting your rims
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oG-1uzLJr0
:D
I forgot that MCM did episodes for those haha. Cheers.
"Yes, you got that, 16 years of [MX5] ownership and you too can become the Obi-wan Kenobi of not giving a s**t." - Moti

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Post by MrGrey » Tue May 14, 2013 3:30 pm

ok, I finished off all four and have them in place and they didn't turn out crappy so I am kinda happy with myself. I also blanked out the aerial hole, it was a simple task of unscrewing the mast and taking the top bits out, and then undoing a 10mm nut inside the boot that braced the aerial in place. A 25mm plug filled the gap and the aerial components are safely cabled tied in place underneath just in case I ever get the insane urge to listen to crap music and DJ's who think they are funny. some how I doubt this will happen.

you may notice my brake upgrade. by painting the calipers red, I have gained 20kw (5kw per caliper)

Image

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Post by CRACKATTACK » Fri Jun 07, 2013 9:29 pm

Damn that looks good just needs to go a bit lower :p

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Post by SLYDIT » Sat Jun 08, 2013 4:54 pm

man i reckon its time to hit my advans with some black plastidip. i just cant bring myself to ruin a genuine set of advans by stripping and painting them.
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Post by MrGrey » Sat Jun 08, 2013 6:22 pm

I did some research into plastidip and it seems like the results can vary....
you could give them a good clean and plastidip them, but if you were to strip them and do them properly then I would suggest using a hard wearing enamel paint as the quality of the job will be that much better.

and yes CRACKATTACK, I definately need to lower my car and plan to do so, but its a double edged sword between having a nice lowered look and yet still be able to get out of my driveway.....

I guess I just need to move house and find something with a better driveway. :wink:

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Post by Angreal » Sat Jun 08, 2013 8:00 pm

Nice. Black wheels on red car, looks like mine except I have a black hardtop

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