celica alloy progress

[drddan]

Had to cut my fenders to prevent rubbing from the 195/60/14's due to the offset of my 84 celica alloys. Will post pics again after I mount fender flares. Alloys cleaned up some. They need to be cleaner. Any suggestions?

How about a mild muratic acid solution, Paul. I've seen this as ingredient in wheel cleaners. Denatured alcohol works good too.

[pr0nst4r]

I think the muratic acid would be the better route to go there. I think it would be better for the metal in the long run, or so it seems.

[perucho]

Is the clearcoat messed up? If it is I would finish removing it with aircraft stripper and then polish them with a 4" grinder and one of these:



They actually come in different grits (coarse, med, fine and extra fine) and work great for removing paint gently without messing up the alloy. The finer grits will polish the alloy nicely too. I used them in a set of wheels just like yours and they came out very nicely.

[fattie]

any progress on this ?

[neanderpaul]

Thanks for asking Fattie. No. I did find the flares I want. Just have to get some $ up.

[ShagFestiva]

would it be hard to find flares that would fit? Most cars fender wells would be bigger. Would that just mean that you would need to bend them to fit and cut as needed and then just use fiberglass or filler to get it looking right?

[Festiva_tunner]

Nice work I cant wait to see the flares on

there was a sugestion of muratic acid - be very very careful with this - we used it at the dealer to clean up the aluminum steps and tanks on the used trucks that were traded in. if you dont mix it correctly it will turn your rims powdery white and they will look aweful - once you have them at this stage it will take many many hours with a scotch pad and several coatings of polish to make them shina again
However saying this if mixed right the acid wash does an excellent job of cleaning them up - you will still need to polish afterwards.

[No Pstns]

I used aircraft cleaner, sandpaper, elbow grease and this http://cgi.ebay.com/10-PIECE-AIR-BUF...item2c52284e8d and when i was done I got this

and this. Worked out well.

[drddan]

Paul, would you have a pic of the VW flares you were talking about?
I was looking into maybe doing that as we both have the same problem. I too have 195/60/14's. I like the beefy look from the wide and low offset wheels. They bad!
Someone has a post on here about some toyota flares too. Have that "bolt pattern"
look going around the flares.
Your White Festiva looks good like you've got it. Ever get those wheels as clean as you wanted?

[yassyspeed]

That looks awesome

[neanderpaul]

never got 'em clean. Working all the time. Staying up late working on a recording studio in my basement. Spent money on getting a new ride for the wife. Pics of it soon.

[drddan]

Pics of the recording studio when complete! What equipment do you have in mind?

[neanderpaul]

Pics asap for sure. The list of equipment will take a while. I'll post when complete. I threw another 5 hours at it last night. Up till 3 am again!

[drddan]

I'm holding my breath til I see a list!

[chrisofna]

I'm considering running 240Z flares on mine. Fairly cheap, easy to find replacements, and so easy to find because like 50 companies have reproduced them. Plus they look good.