Powdercoated Fikse FM5 teaser
05-15-2012, 09:44 AM
#61
There are lots of companies out there that do polishing and reconditioning on wheels, some use automated machinery for it, others by hand but one things for sure, a little buffing rpm sure helps.
I'm a big fan of black... when I'm up close and can actually see the lines of the wheel. From 20' away they all look like a 70's dodge wheel, minus the hubcap; no real definitive lines. That's just MY opinion and that doesn't mean ***** where your car is concerned.
If YOU like it, then that's really all that matters. Either way, these turned out great! Props to whoever worked them.
I'm a big fan of black... when I'm up close and can actually see the lines of the wheel. From 20' away they all look like a 70's dodge wheel, minus the hubcap; no real definitive lines. That's just MY opinion and that doesn't mean ***** where your car is concerned.
If YOU like it, then that's really all that matters. Either way, these turned out great! Props to whoever worked them.
A polished FM5 you(I) can tell rolling or across the parking lot what they are.
Its your ride, you have to like it, just expressing an opinion.
ANYTHING is better than the clown blue they used to be LMAO.
05-15-2012, 10:09 AM
#62
TECH Junkie
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You can strip powder coat, it comes off.
The wheels are aluminum, there is a LOT you can do to save aluminum.
Buy 10 gallons of aircraft paint stripper, buy a big washtub or cut the bottom out of a plastic 55 gallon drum.
Or buy some stuff called LAVACOL acid, paint it on with a paint brush and let it set. It will eat it off.
I had a Hayabusa, I used aircraft stripper on the lips of the wheels to get a polished lip, took it right off.
If nothing else I would have called Fikse and asked about it.
Fikse wheels are like diamonds, why do that to them?
Just saying, take some time and do some research. All the info you need is at your fingertips.
The wheels are aluminum, there is a LOT you can do to save aluminum.
Buy 10 gallons of aircraft paint stripper, buy a big washtub or cut the bottom out of a plastic 55 gallon drum.
Or buy some stuff called LAVACOL acid, paint it on with a paint brush and let it set. It will eat it off.
I had a Hayabusa, I used aircraft stripper on the lips of the wheels to get a polished lip, took it right off.
If nothing else I would have called Fikse and asked about it.
Fikse wheels are like diamonds, why do that to them?
Just saying, take some time and do some research. All the info you need is at your fingertips.
And I wouldnt have put that hood on that you have on your z28, but to each their own. We all have different preferences.
06-14-2012, 05:37 PM
#66
I promise you this, with some sand paper, buffer and some polish I could have gotten them back. 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 then buff.
Aluminum is soft, if nothing else I would have at least tried it.
If nothing else I would have sent them back to Fikse.
If I wanted black wheels I would have got some cheap TTII and did that to them.
But hey, thats just me.
Aluminum is soft, if nothing else I would have at least tried it.
If nothing else I would have sent them back to Fikse.
If I wanted black wheels I would have got some cheap TTII and did that to them.
But hey, thats just me.
Your ideas are exactly what I thought too when I undertook the project. I thought it would be badabing badaboom sand them out, white rouge polish, DONE. I tried sanding, but it would have taken way too many hours. Even media blasting was too long.
I used a solvent to strip most of the coating off. But even after that they needed way more elbow grease, time, and energy than I was willing to put into them. So off to the powdercoater they went. I'm glad I did. He did a great job.
I learned my lesson on trying to strip and redo powdercoating.
I used a solvent to strip most of the coating off. But even after that they needed way more elbow grease, time, and energy than I was willing to put into them. So off to the powdercoater they went. I'm glad I did. He did a great job.
I learned my lesson on trying to strip and redo powdercoating.
06-14-2012, 05:56 PM
#67
Looks good but i dont see why everyone well just one is giving him a hard time about coating them, they were beat pieces of blue ****, not everyone wants to put 40 plus hours into polishing wheels, op if you ever wanna sell those shoot me a pm,
06-15-2012, 10:14 AM
#72
I say damn son. You did some bad *** work. That wheel looks brand ******* new. 
Have some faith. Here is the set of FM5's I refinished. They were powdercoated white, had them stripped by the guy I use to do my powder coating and I got to polishing. Sanded with 220 grit all the way up to 2200. Used a angle grinder with buffing wheels attached and tripoli compound and metal polish. The moment they got some heat in them they shined right up. Looked like a mirror when done. Just took some time. Just sold this set not too long ago actually. And I must give my buddy props as he started the project and completed 1 wheel. I did the other 3.
06-15-2012, 10:18 AM
#73
Have some faith. Here is the set of FM5's I refinished. They were powdercoated white, had them stripped by the guy I use to do my powder coating and I got to polishing. Sanded with 220 grit all the way up to 2200. Used a angle grinder with buffing wheels attached and tripoli compound and metal polish. The moment they got some heat in them they shined right up. Looked like a mirror when done. Just took some time. Just sold this set not too long ago actually. And I must give my buddy props as he started the project and completed 1 wheel. I did the other 3.
06-19-2012, 09:14 AM
#80
This is going to look weird on a navy blue car....the red pinstripe kills it brother. Whoever painted/powdered those wheels blue should be banned from modding cars.
The polished finish would look 100000% better than the black and I am the biggest advocate of black wheels.
The red stripe would look great on any red, black or white car that had a few red accents. If the stripe matched the body color you'd be in business.
The polished finish would look 100000% better than the black and I am the biggest advocate of black wheels.
The red stripe would look great on any red, black or white car that had a few red accents. If the stripe matched the body color you'd be in business.