Brushed Face Wheels (astra GTE)

[matt_vaughan]

Got a set of Astra GTE wheels. Was going to paint gloss white however I've seen this GTE today on pistonheads and fell in love with the wheels

http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/580/580211-1.jpg

Is the car anyone's off here...

Also what is involved with getting wheels like this. In otherwords are there any special protection measures for the brushed? bare metal???

Cheers

[Ste L]

they're diamond cut mate ;)

[Mike]

Aye, diamond cut rims. Yes, there lacqured to stop any corrosion

[matt_vaughan]

Knew it was something like that.

Anyone know of any way I can get a similar finish "int garage"???

[Mazz]

Thats been for sale for ages now...

[matt_vaughan]

I fancy trying a brushed effect on the face, then the black on the inner parts.

Might give it a go, see what happens.

[white2lSR]

Anyone know of any way I can get a similar finish "int garage"???

buy yourself a laith that will take a wheel then turn it with a dimond bitlol

[matt_vaughan]

buy yourself a laith that will take a wheel then turn it with a dimond bitlol

Haha anyone wanna lend me a few hundred grand?

[peester]

you can buya diamond cutting disc -bit for drills.. but it might look ****e at the disc is much smaller than the wheel..
theres a lad on here , from brierly hill, escort owning chap that had some done, home-made...

[white2lSR]

than nova was in TV months ago for something like £2250. in the above photo the paint looks a little flat, especially tha front wing.

perhaps why he hasnt sold it !?

[Dod]

If you're brave mate (and I'm not recomending this as its dangerious) Sand the wheels back to the bare metal, spray the centre and the spoke insides black, Jack your car up and put it in first gear with the ernine running and hold some very fine sand paper up to it and try to get the polished finish that way. But beware it is dangerious.

OR...

Sand them back to the bare metal going down through the grades from roughest to finest and then when flat enough, polish them down to a deep shine with some wire wool/steel wool. This is going to require massive manual work but should do the trick.

OR AGAIN...

Conatct your local engineering firm and ask if they can do anything for you. Most of them have machine polishers that might make some shape at it.

[white2lSR]

If you're brave mate (and I'm not recomending this as its dangerious) Sand the wheels back to the bare metal, spray the centre and the spoke insides black, Jack your car up and put it in first gear with the ernine running and hold some very fine sand paper up to it and try to get the polished finish that way. But beware it is dangerious.

OR...

Sand them back to the bare metal going down through the grades from roughest to finest and then when flat enough, polish them down to a deep shine with some wire wool/steel wool. This is going to require massive manual work but should do the trick.

OR AGAIN...

Conatct your local engineering firm and ask if they can do anything for you. Most of them have machine polishers that might make some shape at it.


i think he is after the diamond cut look, not he polished look.:thumb:

[matt_vaughan]

To be honest, diamond cut isn't particularly essential, just liked the contrast between the black and bare metal.

Might try making some sort of contraption up that will spin the wheel on an electric motor while I sand, might work.

[Dod]

There wouldnt be too much of a difference anyway!

[matt_vaughan]

There wouldnt be too much of a difference anyway!

between?

Diamond cut and Plain old sanded back?

[Dod]

Diamond and Polished in the way I've suggested.

[matt_vaughan]

Yeh I'm sure with a decent amount of work you can get a nice finish on the wheels, very much like diamond cutting.

[Dod]

Aye, thats what you'd need the rough sand paper for then smooth it all out with the finer grades.

[rednova]

as dod has said this can be done in the garage - you can buy a cheap DA sander for around £20 - 30 which makes life a hell of a lot easier - especially if the wheels have a flat face etc, I would paint the bits black/whatever colour you want first then just keep the DA flat working through the grades going upto 2000 etc then just buff up with a metal polish, you could laquer them or just polish regularly, doesnt take much to keep on top of them - my mate used to have polished speedlines

hth

Phil

[matt_vaughan]

Got DA sander and decent compressor in garage (dad works for company specialising in compressed air equipment, so easy to get hold of that kinda stuff)

Will get to it very soon, about to start driving though, so few things on the list first.

[Dod]

Tell you what, i've the same wheels here and I've been admiring that GTEs wheels for a while. I'll give one of mine a go and post up the results when they're done.

[craig green]

Those wheels are what make that car look gash IMO.

[matt_vaughan]

Each to their own craig, but you've got speedlines by the looks of it, so you will look down on most wheels :P
However, IMO that paint scheme on that GTE makes a massive difference over the wheels being painted one colour (esp black)

[Dod]

I disagree. those wheels stand out, they're different and period. I like them, a lot and they will be finding their way onto my Mk1.

[CoupeUK]

A guy's just bought that red GTE with the diamond cut wheels. He's on MIG, The Valet Man is his user name.....thing he's up your way aswell ;)

Might be worth a cheeky PM ;) ;) ;)

[matt_vaughan]

Got no money to buy the things off him anyway.

Plus, where's the fun in buying some off someone else :D

Going to get some stock in probably tomorow afternoon (sand paper, paint, laquer etc) and get cracking....hopefully.

[gtachorley]

I have just bought em LOL

[Dod]

Pics or stfu.

[gtachorley]

Lol.......Agressive little bitch let me grab me brothers Camera will post em up.

[gtachorley]

Here we are
http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/254/22072008119le3.jpg

And
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/6661/22072008120aw5.jpg

[gtachorley]

Ah my little project

So Lad.....................SDFU??

[Dod]

They look very very nice!! Very Euro style.

[gtachorley]

Just got some 2.0 brakes and coil overs, fit them at weekend then go to POD for ultimate streetcar, then 2 weeks off work for a full respray thats the plan LOL