Does anyone know what the original finish on the Centerline wheels was? I've searched to no avail. I’ve seen the polished and I’ve seen them beat up and fuzzy with oxidation. I've seen them all satin. I heard somewhere that the rim itself was polished, but the center section was brushed.
I’m asking so I have some idea how to restore mine. ***EDIT FOR CALRIFICATION*** What I meant by "how to restore" was which finish to apply, brushed or polished, as I've previously searched for and found various methods to use. I do appreciate all of the inputs that I'm receiving. Thank you! ***
I hope this year allows me time to work on my widebody. I’d like to get the wheels redone and some tires bought while someone still makes 255 50 -16s.
Foxgapfiero’s posting looks like the polished rim, with satin center.
I haven’t been able to determine what type/series/model wheel these are, so Centerline is no help. That’s another piece of information that would be helpful. What type/series/model wheel are they? Some have referred to them as “Champ 500s” which they aren’t. The Champ 500’s have 5 holes, while these have 8. There must be someone here with the answers.
------------------ Bob 84 SE IMSA Widebody 87 GT 5spd 05 Vibe
[This message has been edited by What about Bob (edited 02-26-2009).]
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07:05 AM
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
Most wheels these days are just polyurathane clearcoated. If thats starting to deteriorate, I just strip them and polish leave them bare. Routine cleaning keeps them nice. I got a set of old original mags for my Coronet with no clear. It sets outside all winter. I just occasionally clean them up with mag wheels paste to keep them new. Rubbing compound can be used to make bare mags high gloss like chrome and if you want a satin sheen, use courser steelwool or scotchbrite pad in only a back and forth direction. My GT40 had original 40 year old ET mags and had been sitting in a field for many years. I sanded them with 80 grit, then 120, then 400 wet. Rubbing compound by hand made them look new.
not the best sample, but you can tell how nice they look here (only one I have loaded online right now)
Look at the rear one, these were black and gray with huge pits and really nasty.
Thanks for the info Roger. I don't think the Centerlines were clearcoated, I know mine weren't. Mine are currently "Fuzzy", with a nice layer of aluminum oxide. No damage that I can see. I've got a large and small PowerBalls waiting to be used. I'm trying to find out how they were finished at the factory so I know which way to restore them.
I was also curious if the "Modular" riveted wheels could be clear coated.
Here are older ( 3-4 years old) pictures of my wheels:
Front
Back
I cant tell if that is the original satin finish or if the PO sanded them
[This message has been edited by What about Bob (edited 02-26-2009).]
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05:25 PM
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
The choice is up to you, they all start out the same. I preferred the duller fininsh on my Ferrari kit, and just did the steelwool/scotchbrite on them. If you want them really polished, use your power ball and rubbing compound, followed by mag polish. Thats all the factory does if there not clearcoated. The rivet heads are always a problem. Clear may not stick around them, and if you dont, that will be the first place to start corroding again. If they were mine, no clear and keep plenty of wax on them around the rivets.
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06:29 PM
KEV Member
Posts: 2590 From: Green Isle, MN Registered: Dec 2000
I am sorry, but I do not know the finish on those sweet wheels. But, I know a thing or two about polishing aluminum wheels. I have refinished over twenty sets of wheels. Please disregard if you go with the satin finish.
For that mirror shine... 1. Buy some Mothers Wheel Polish. This stuff rocks when it comes to aluminum. Nothing can compare. Use as the can reads. 2. Power ball the centers with the polish. 3. To do the lip of the rim, raise the rear of your Fiero, and secure her with blocks and jackstands. Mount one bare rim at a time onto the rear hub. 4. With car running, place transmission in 2nd gear. 5. Simply apply Mothers Wheel Polish with a soft cloth. The rotation of the wheel acts like your own lathe. The lip will only take a minute or two to finish.
Whichever route that you go, you have some seriously nice rims there. Good luck to you, and post pics when you are done.
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[This message has been edited by Tony Kania (edited 02-26-2009).]
On 2 of my cars with just bare alloy, I just keep them clean, use mag wheel polish. Even driving on winter roads. I had the Coronet out cruising yesterday. Just having clearcoat is not 'magic' so you can let them go for weeks or months without washing. Most of the time, I just use a squirt bottle of plain water and a rag, wipe them off. To me the difference between clear and not cleared is I can fix uncleared ones, stuck with cleared ones
[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 03-02-2009).]
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05:56 AM
americasfuture2k Member
Posts: 7131 From: Edmond, Oklahoma Registered: Jan 2006
im more interested in the girl. what a looker! she yours or is that just a randome pic of the wheels and the gt40and girl came with it? i think she needs to be in the girls without a fiero topic.
