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DIY Machined look?

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Old 09-29-2008, 04:38 AM
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Default DIY Machined look?

Is there any way to achieve the "machined face" look on my rims that i can do myself? Do you just gring the front down past the paint? Assuming theres paint of course. I just got some really nice bmw tuner rims but theyre in need of help. Im having them widened in thre front and a lip added to the face on the back(thats the beauty if aluminum rims) but they also need to be refinished. Now theyre hyper silver but i think i want to paint them dark grey then machine the faces. Is this somethingi can do or so i have to have it done somewhere? Any guides/walkthroughs/ pics? Links?
Old 09-29-2008, 07:23 AM
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The "machined" look is actually a "rough" cut by a lathe, and is comprised on numerous, EQUALLY SPACED, radial lines in the wheel's center. I highly doubt that you could create the look with hand tools.
Old 09-29-2008, 08:23 AM
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About the closest you can come is to put them on a spinner(wheel balancer, etc.) and use long strokes w/Scotchbrite pads as it turns with some WD 40 etc. Gives it a dull machined look, kills the shine. Some people clear them after that to bring some shine back.
Old 09-29-2008, 08:35 AM
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I've seen a video on the 'net of some guy doing it on car (cleaning up the lip of the rim). Had the car on jackstands (or a lift or something) and as the wheel turned (driven by the engine of course), he applied various degrees of sandpaper and scotchbrite, then a polishing compound.

Not that I recommend that method, but it did work.
Old 09-29-2008, 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Camaroholic
I've seen a video on the 'net of some guy doing it on car (cleaning up the lip of the rim). Had the car on jackstands (or a lift or something) and as the wheel turned (driven by the engine of course), he applied various degrees of sandpaper and scotchbrite, then a polishing compound.

Not that I recommend that method, but it did work.

That's got to be just a little dangerous....get your hand caught in a spoke, and it will get ripped right off!!
Old 09-29-2008, 04:11 PM
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get your annoying neighbor to do it for you
Old 09-29-2008, 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by reject
get your annoying neighbor to do it for you

THANKS for reminding me!!



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