Calpart rims - finishing options

[germanx]

As the welding seams have a slightly different color I am not sure if a shiny polish will end up all that good.

I have come across some nice rims from Markus Walker, and I like the ways they are done: polished face lip, light eloxated sterns and a black backend.

I have tried to simulate some paint options and invite your feedback on which one looks best.

Flat Titanium

Glossy Porsche Brown

Silver Gloss with Black Back

Gun Metal

Don't get distracted or biased by the body paint. I might repaint the body in some years from now, so the wheels should rather stay in neutral color.

I will use the spinners, so from that perspective a too light color does not match my taste at least.

What is your preference, or any other color combo suggestions? I will try to simulate them here.

And yes, I will use Avon Cr6ZZ on the rims. So the white sidewall lettering will go.

I have a hard top in Black, and the interior of the car is black. The new roll bar I am currently fabricating will be painted in Grey, Silver, Gun Metal or Black. So here, no brownish touch.

Appreciate your thoughts...
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'73 Beach Buggy
'66 T1 Deluxe

[Q-Dog]

I like silver spokes with the polished outer.

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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[andygere]

Flat titanium or gunmetal

[63Fiberbuggy]

I'm in market to refinish my rims as well; who offers polishing services for vintage American Racing rims (think they're magnesium)? I've never seen the polished outer with different finish on spokes...like it!

[GS guy]

Medium to dark charcoal gray is my favorite spoke color on that type of wheel. The P-Car "RS" finish looks pretty cool too, but on a buggy I like to see some "shiny" on the rims.

Try polishing one rim out and see how well the weld blends. You could also clear coat or even bright silver coat the outer rim portion if the metal blending/weld area is still too obvious after polishing. A clear powder coat takes just a hint of the shine away from a fully polished (mirror-like finish) and might be just enough to hide the weld work? It also protects the aluminum so it doesn't have to be religiously re-polished on a regular basis.
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70's vintage Deserter GS buggy - undergoing transformation to Super GS!

[germanx]

Appreciate your comments and tips!

I will go for a silver / gun metal look, and will not offset the spokes in different color tone.

I will test-polish the weld seam to check appearance to decide, how far from the outer lip I am going to polish, and where to apply paint.

I will not go for powder coating, as coating temps during drying in the oven might damage / weaken the rim (aluminium).

I will use some automotive 2-component paint / clear to paint the rim and seal polished areas.
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'73 Beach Buggy
'66 T1 Deluxe

[joescoolcustoms]

[germanx]

[GS guy]

I'd gamble that just about every OEM aluminum rim on just about every new vehicle available today is powder coated, usually a bright silver. It's a tough finish when done properly (key words there!).

The BBS response is likely due to they can't be responsible for a "modified" rim - and they sure make some nice ones! The gold standard wheel brand for decades. Probably worried about some dodgy PC work corroding underneath and causing unseen degradation, possibly leading to litigation.

Painting can be nice too though, and much easier to re-do if necessary. Those are going to be some great looking rims when you're finished!
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70's vintage Deserter GS buggy - undergoing transformation to Super GS!

[mike1954]

what steps did you take to get that great polished look.

[germanx]