De-Blinged my wheels
 

I shouldn't even post this as these pics don't do much. But what do you think?
I will post pics of the car before and after when completed this weekend.

Before:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/CIMG1999.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/CIMG2002.jpg

After:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/CIMG2000.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/CIMG2000.jpg

Uhhhmmm....

You know what they say. What is important is that YOU like 'em.

For my part, I preferred the before by a serious margin...

But, what did you do anyway? scuff 'em?

Lead.

Yeah, lots of scotch brite. I appreciate the honesty though. I am thinking most people will be VERY against it. We'll see when I get them out in the sun. I haven't even got em done, so i can't even decide if it was a total mistake. Once I get it in sunlight and step back, then I'll know. I can always polish them back up.

Hey! Nothing like trying! And Kudos for it!

When i read the title of thread, i had looked at your avatar and tought you had gone painting the centers or 'somthing.

Seeing the whole car outside like you mention, may change the view i got also.

Its just i don't picture them with the mouldings, bumpers, mirrors etc being "shiny" and the wheels "Dull". (???)

Lead. :cheers:

If you are going for a brushed finish it looks like it could use a little more scotch bright. No offense but right now they look polished but dull.

i think it looks sick! i always like less "bling", especially on single color cars.
By the way, what color is your Malibu? A friend if mine is looking to paint his car soon and wants a stand out red.

What about leaving the lips polished? How much time do you have into the first wheel?

You are going to need to clear coat them or they will be a major pain in your aise.

I like it! I prefer fully brushed too. I'm over shiny and polished.

Keep at it and then get some good pics!

i think they look killer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
but like todd said bare brushed alluminum is a pain the they leave prints bad.
i alway felt those wheel were way to street rod looking for that car. they look much different with the brushed look.

Hey man check out this link Airride did a Buick Wagon and did the same thing to the same wheels. I saw that your going to do this and forgot to post the link before you started. Sorry, but at least you can see what theirs turned out like. I always like it on their wagon.

Carter

I like what you did!

John

I like it.

I'm thinking maybe a step up on side tire sidewall may look better.

Also, I've found on brushd wheels an aerosol stainless steel cleaner works very well on removing finger prints, and if you don't wipe it off it makes them shine a little.

They look dirty and uncleaned from brake dust... :rolleyes:

Sorry not for me.


Lead.

Everybody has their opinion but they are nice wheels but maybe modify for that Pro Touring look.

How about some shot peened centers and add bolts around the center edge where the spokes are. Years ago there was an orange 40's something car that they did the fake bolt three piece look and it looked killer. Cheaper than buying new wheels. Either make a template of bring to machine shop for accuracy. $500 vs $2500.

I like the looks of a brushed center...but not sure they look brushed to me. Almost looks like they have had the piss scratched out of them.

that's exactly what they've had:lol: But to my defense, in person they look about 10 times better. You know what a flash on a camera does to everything.

Now the next step... I had been struggling to get the guts, but I finally dove in last night. Stayed up til 1 am doing the same thing to my front, chrome bumper. I don't know.... Haven't seen it in daylight. The chrome was a lot harder, but I developed a top secret method to do it. So now I'm in full bore. I will spend the weekend de-blinging all trim parts, etc. I really think it will look good in the end. I won't post any pics until I have the final product. Then I will try to get good, realistic photos and get all your input.

When I bought the car, first thing I told myself was I wanted more sidewall. Unfortunately, just not going to spend the cash now. But I bet I do it this winter. I need more rubber on all 4 corners.

Nice, can't wait to see it all done

I like it!
 

absolutely love the direction its moving.. i think you need to cut alittle deeper to get the look right but i love where you are going with it....

id loose the scotchbrite and move to wet sanding with grit 600+

I agree.
Looks good.:thumbsup:

Its cool with me

A friend of mine had done up a cheap set of eagles with the bolt method. looked real good.

here's the link on here;

https://lateral-g.net/members/tessier/

Check it out on the wheel picture.

Lead.

you are getting my curiosity high with all that "secret methods" thing...:thumbsup: