14" wheels refinish
 

Hey I 've got this extra set of 14" hollow spokes. They are very ugly, the PO never washed her car--literally for years...But, they all balance within 5g's...

Anyway, I was thinking about just sandblasting them and having them repowder coated.

I have never really had to sandblast AL before, IIRC I had a motorcycle friend that used to refinish his wheels this way, and was able to leave a polished lip.
Any advice or thoughts?

beadblast. if you want polished lips, it's going to cost more for thr extra time to tape them off or to have someone remove the powdercoating.

Oh yeah, I always forget about that one, these wheels are pretty fugly, I tried taking a pic but they broke the camera...I doubt I'll try for a polished lip, on a 14" wheel it's not worth the time. If I refinished them I could at least use them, maybe mount a set of ra1's(195/55/14) for AutoXing...

I have a set of hollows.... you can actually get the 205 RA-1 on them. <G>

Good for track days. <G>

Dave,

I like aircraft stripper, sandpaper and dupount spray paint (for wheels of course):

https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/at...2&d=1127180824

https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/at...3&d=1127180834

https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/at...4&d=1126750570

https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/at...4&d=1127180846



yes the rotor is cracked in two in the first pic.....locked caliper.

Braineack-Those wheels look amazing!!

Steelrat- 205/55/14? Do you run them all the time or just on the track?
http://www.edgeracing.com/tires/2055514/

I just went to my 1st AutoX this past weekend--My Firestones (down to the wear bars) didn't really cut it...Of course my driving was pretty bad--there was another 1st timer there w/ a 914 (with subie power:)) who beat me by 3 seconds...I should of diconnected my wastegate--- I was running 11 psi--that just made it worse...

I always turn my boost down when I autocross, getting sideways doesn't help.

I wouldn't recommend running "R" compounds on the street. I had my Azenis for 3 years as an autocross only tire and just resently had them on the track. They handled better than I expected them too. I still haven't run R's yet, but for the price and the versatility (Street compound), I'll be getting the new model (Azenis RT-615) when these need replacement. For $60 each you can't go wrong.

http://www.vulcantire.com/azenis_rt615_t.htm has great prices.

What size (in a 14") were you thinking w/ the Azenis?
I have brand new set of Bridgestone Potentia G009 185/60/14--Came w/ the fugly wheels...

I was thinking of geting these http://www.edgeracing.com/tires/1955514/ and mounting them to the refinished Fuglies, and keeping the G009 for the street on my 14" rims. Then Steelrat mentioned that 205's fit...but are they worth $45 per tire more?--considering I can't drive anyway....
I didn't plan on two sets of 14" --a light set of 15" or 16" would make my arsenal more flexible--but it is what it is....

No I don't run them all the time.... I actually have 15" panasports and some 615's to run for the street....

The RA-1s were my first autox tire... but now I basically run them for track days. They are getting close to being done, but I got them used... so I don't really care.... That's the size though.... 205/55/14... fits fine. Never had any issues with them.... The bigger size can marginally increase your contact patch though.... and change the rolling diameter....

You can run them on the street... but... I'm not sure I would want to personally. Although, I have run them a few days here and there... The grin factor goes up with R comps. <G>

Dave,

Can I ask where you got the airplane strip from:)

Pics of the fugly wheels

Pics after I glass bead blasted them...

Sweet! Are you spray painting them?! I love spray paint!

Brendan, you can by the stripper at any auto parts store, it's usually by the primers, and sometimes by the bondo.

I'm running 195/60/14.

I was going to PC them.. But 'my guy' hasn't been responsive... I might dig out the old siphon gun, but spray paint is a lot cheaper...

It holds up good! and looks great! DO HOT PINK!

looks great man ;)

I was thinking evo orange or a nice guards red :)

Easy to prep and spray the wheels yourself and its mega cheep to do as well, i've done mine, they are the 15" mazda iS rims :

Cleaned them with acid cleaner

Sanded down to primer

Filled in any chips / dents

Primed with standard primer (Should use Etch but i didn't)

Several coats of gun metal grey

Clear lacquer

:bigtu:

Really happy with the results, took a full weekend to do them all but saved me £40 a wheel :)

http://firestar3x.com/Car/MX5/Upgrades/July4.jpg