Most liked posts in thread: Project HRE: Strippers Welcome

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  1. PGT

    PGT Wheel Whore

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    #2 PGT, Aug 12, 2009
    Next step - I'm ordering an aluminum polishing kit from Eastwood.com tonight. I'll spend some time with the barrels this weekend shining them up - they were buffed with emery cloth as part of being prepped for paint. Lots of shine but they need a little TLC before being clearcoated.

    Once that's done, I'll have the tires remounted. The new owner sent me TPMS modules to install. The set is going on an '09 MCS. I believe it's black with a white roof. Should look sweet I think.
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #3 Nathan, Aug 12, 2009
    This was a hard set of wheels to let go...but I really do like the VS-XX I got in trade. Looking forward to seeing them after polishing.

    Please tell the new owner to stop by....
     
  3. PGT

    PGT Wheel Whore

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    #4 PGT, Aug 14, 2009
    nobody has anything to say, good or bad? :huh:
     
  4. Ernesto

    Ernesto Club Coordinator

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    #5 Ernesto, Aug 14, 2009
    I liked the "before" color better, but the "afters" are good also..
     
  5. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #6 Nathan, Aug 14, 2009
    Before the Chili Red/Black finished those same wheels lived with me.

    See the WheelFinder entry for their "OEM" look
     
  6. Nitrominis

    Nitrominis Banned

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    #7 Nitrominis, Aug 14, 2009
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2009
    **
     
  7. PGT

    PGT Wheel Whore

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    #8 PGT, Sep 19, 2009
    and they're done. polished, clearcoated, re-assembled and packaged and shipped. Only took nine months to find a buyer but they'll be living in the PNW now with an owner who'll appreciate them.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  8. howsoonisnow1985

    howsoonisnow1985 New Member

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    #9 howsoonisnow1985, Sep 20, 2009
    Wow nice work, I am currently removing all paint (Teflon Black) off a set of Motegi Traklites 2.0 it sure is a PITA though. I got 3 of them completely done, 1 to go. Tell new owner to post pics installed.
     
  9. Rixter

    Rixter Well-Known Member

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    #10 Rixter, Sep 20, 2009
    I much prefer the new and improved version over the 'red-version'. Nice work, and nice wheels!
     
  10. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #11 Nathan, Sep 20, 2009
    The Black Center - Polished Rim looks incredible!!

    Can't wait to see them on the car.
     
  11. Dr Obnxs

    Dr Obnxs New Member

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    #12 Dr Obnxs, Sep 20, 2009
    That's a lot of work!

    I too like the black/silver. Less paint = less weight!

    Matt
     
  12. PGT

    PGT Wheel Whore

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    #13 PGT, Sep 20, 2009
    are you using a chemical stripper?
     
  13. old81

    old81 Club Coordinator
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    #14 old81, Sep 20, 2009
    Very nicely done. On your car the orginals in red/black looked super.

    The new owner should post up some pictures of the refinished wheels on his/her MINI. :)

    Only 9 months for special wheels is not bad. I finally gave away a set of almost new run-flats. :D
     
  14. 05vertible

    05vertible New Member

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    #15 05vertible, Sep 21, 2009
    PGT
    The finished wheels look great! I have a couple of quick questions...
    1) The EASTWOOD Kit you got...was that for curb rash and/or nicks?
    2) The next post says that after the polishing...they were "clearcoated..." is this the same process one would do to a set of webspokes? Did wheels america clearcoat them for you? thx
     
  15. PGT

    PGT Wheel Whore

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    #16 PGT, Sep 22, 2009
    the lips were scuffed up for paint adhesion so they needed to be polished again. I clearcoated them myself
     
  16. 05vertible

    05vertible New Member

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    #17 05vertible, Sep 22, 2009
    Thanks for your helpful info....I'm tempted to repolish the outer edge of my webspokes but I don't want to remove them from the barrels. There is literally one 1/2'' spot on each wheel where the tpms sensors were removed.
    How is the clearcoat purchased? Is it in a spray can or does one need a spray gun? thx again
     
  17. PGT

    PGT Wheel Whore

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    #18 PGT, Sep 22, 2009
    spray can - got it from eastwood.com - their 'Diamond Clear' brand. I also got a can of their 'PRE' cleaner....you'd be surprised what comes off before you paint.
     
  18. howsoonisnow1985

    howsoonisnow1985 New Member

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    #19 howsoonisnow1985, Sep 25, 2009
    The first go round I used StripKleen Aircraft remover, worked great. Then after I ran out no shops had it anymore and used less stronger MarHyde aircraft stripper that sucks.
     
  19. 05vertible

    05vertible New Member

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    #20 05vertible, Sep 28, 2009
    I am so tempted to try to polish and reclear the 1/2'' spot on my webspokes with your process...but I probably will just take it to a wheel refinisher.
     
  20. PGT

    PGT Wheel Whore

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    #21 PGT, Dec 24, 2009
    the new owner sent me these pics....he ordered a new JCW to put the wheels on :)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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