Fikse FM5's going on a crappy LT1

[KLAB]

Well, I finally stepped into the baller wheels gang. I scored a set of 17x9.5 and 17x11 FM5 that need some work and have ~30% tread left on Nitto NT05's. The inner barrels are pretty crusty looking, but look like with some heavy cleaning and polishing they will shine new. No curb rash is a plus.. The techni-polish on the centers is peeling and etched looking on all 4. I'm going to clean these up as best I can for now and throw them on, get them fitting good in the rear then eventually I will get new tired pull them all apart and refinish. I'm not sure if I can just strip the clear on the centers and have them re-cleared, or if I should strip the clear, do a brushed finish and then have them professionally powdercoated clear. I don't want to polish the centers, or powdercoat them a different color. So, well see. I was going to use this stuff called alumabrite on the inner barrels to clean all the brake dust and crap off them, then thoroughly clean it off and polish? I know acid on these is kind of a bad idea, but I was thinking it would be good to get me to a polishing point quickly. Not sure how else I can clean them up if you guys have any advice. Anyways, here are some pics. I can't wait to get them on hehe:

http://i.imgur.com/22cn6Exl.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/22cn6Ex.jpg)

http://i.imgur.com/7wX1hgml.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/7wX1hgm.jpg)

http://i.imgur.com/QfCLrP8l.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/QfCLrP8.jpg)

http://i.imgur.com/YeSDrtvl.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/YeSDrtv.jpg)

http://i.imgur.com/QQbJYZel.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/QQbJYZe.jpg)

http://i.imgur.com/Rp9z5b7l.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/Rp9z5b7.jpg)

[KLAB]

I'm not that new to wheel refinishing, start from the bottom up for progress:

http://imgur.com/a/SEbEp

Only this time it will be polishing vs painting lol

[ILuvPizzaTimes10]

those should clean up nicely!! you going to remove centers to re do them?

[KLAB]

I will eventually remove the centers and do a complete resto, but for now just a quick polish clean up and show them off for a bit haha.

[Formula413]

Congrats, they will look sick. Love the deep dish look.

[smokinss]

For deep cleaning the wheels buy some Iron-X. It's a ferrous particulate remover. Safe on paint and wheels. Turns purple when it comes into contact with ferrous particles. Then a good polishing with mother billet aluminum polish will make them look great. May have to lightly sand them with 3000 grit.

http://www.autogeek.net/carpro-iron-x-lemon-scent.html

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g173/camaro00/IMG_20150322_100308_191_zpsuq51qpzy.jpg (http://s56.photobucket.com/user/camaro00/media/IMG_20150322_100308_191_zpsuq51qpzy.jpg.html)

[KLAB]

Thanks for the advice! I used some stuff like that at first, mothers dub wheel cleaner just because I had it kicking around. I never used the alumabright, just did brass wire wheel on the crappy inner barrels and mothers mag and aluminum for now on the outer rims and some elbow grease. Coming along nicely.

[Mystery Bird]

Those are a great style wheel.

[KLAB]

Thanks! With some quick polishing they look awesome. Got them on the car, completely changed the look. Rear bump stops clear but I sliced the tires with the fenders, gotta have them rolled this week. Here are a few pics:

wire wheel to the inner barrels
http://i.imgur.com/5LrhTMPl.jpg

my little outdoor workshop for projects like this
http://i.imgur.com/3jQZWlKl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/kg1ufrEl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6nWq9yxl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KK8bGKKl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Ql2g2WTl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vKhP8ZGl.jpg

[SLP IROC-Z]

Car looks way better in person!

[Mystery Bird]

Wheels look great on your car.

[ILuvPizzaTimes10]

Shit Shit and More Shit!!!!

[KLAB]

yeah I need better pics, this s3 sucks. (at one point i thought it took amazing photos..)

[LSX-Nation]

Rims really go along nice with your car.

[KLAB]

Thanks dude, I love how it looks better than the 10 spokes. Gotta sell those now lol. My buddy is rolling my fenders today.

:klab:

[KLAB]

Soooo I also scored a deal on some cheap drag wheels that needed new rear tires. Got me some super light weight Weld Pro Stars, a little outdated but will get the job done for track days. They came with tires but the 28" Hoosiers were too tall for my gears plus worn out. I ordered a set of those new 26" Hoosier DOT DR's and new Weld center cap logos to put on after I polish them up.

http://i.imgur.com/433Mt8Pl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NlY5hwjl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KJ5ii8Pl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vaYC041l.jpg

New smaller tires don't look as badass at the 28's but will work better with 3.42's.. and finally getting some damn SFC's in this pretzel..
http://i.imgur.com/kGP2nEFl.jpg

Back on fikses see LT1 and LS1's can get along. Baller wheel club:
http://i.imgur.com/hMQvUGAl.jpg

[frankzlt1]

Your car looks good kevo

[KLAB]

thanks dude. I'm pretty much done with the exterior, next is interior haha.

[Mystery Bird]

I just switched to the Hoosier DR's this year and love them over the MT's.

[Formula413]

Get some!

[KLAB]

I just switched to the Hoosier DR's this year and love them over the MT's.

Yeah, they're taking a bit of getting used to. I was doing 1.68/1.70 60's last fall, went last friday and did ~1.75 60's and consistent 12.65x passes. I thought the lighter wheels would have make more of an improvement. I can't figure out if I'm spinning a little bit off the line, posi is junk, or whats going on. Oh well.

[Mystery Bird]

How was the air/DA compared to your other runs? In a few weeks we should be getting back into the good air. I went from a 1.48 to a 1.46 with just tires with crappy early spring track prep. Should do a little better here soon. GearHeads at the valley on Sunday, bring it over and race the street class?

[SLP IROC-Z]

The DA was 1000 feet the night he ran

[KLAB]

How was the air/DA compared to your other runs? In a few weeks we should be getting back into the good air. I went from a 1.48 to a 1.46 with just tires with crappy early spring track prep. Should do a little better here soon. GearHeads at the valley on Sunday, bring it over and race the street class?

Like Joe said ~1000' DA that night. Don't know about this Sunday but maybe another time. I've never raced out there, Epping is only 30-40 mins for me.

I got some suspension tweaking, dragging brakes, and tuning to mess with before my next shot. I'll make a thread maybe.

[Mystery Bird]

Ohh, didn't know you were that far north east. I'm only 20 minutes from LVD so it's easy for me to go there.

[KLAB]

yep im up in the sticks