Picked up a set of the 12lb. Mini OEM Imola 15x5.5 wheels to get me started on the track. They were chromed, but the chrome is really pitted in the groove where the wheel face meets the lip and covered in so much brake dust that the rest of the chromes condition was somewhat unknown. Good for me because they were cheap.

After hours of scubbing them with soap and water to make them presentable at the tire shop to have the tires dismounted, I found out the chrome on the face and outer lip was still pretty good. With the tires off I did another major cleaning with Eagle One Chrome Wheel Cleaner (Boy does that stuff work!). I decided to go "Poor Man's Gulf Orange" (Rustoleum Enamel) with them leaving the chrome lip similar to this look:



Here's the supplies...



These rims looked all black and pitted before the Eagle One, but pretty good in areas once they were clean. Started with the worst rim and taped off the chrome lip...



I sanded with fine, then medium, but only the coarse sand paper seemed to be rough enough to do the job. The rough chrome in the main groove really took a lot of effort. Here's the rim sanded up for primer...



Applied Self-Etching primer that is suppose bind to the metal molecules. It turned out to be an odd green/gray color...



That is as far as I've gotten. The Self-Etching primer can be wet sanded in 15 minutes or dry sanded in 3-4 hours with 400 grit. I decided to let it sit over night and sand tomorrow. If this wheel turns out well, then I'll be doing the other three the same way.

Planning on mounting a budget set of Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 205/50ZR15 tires. That will get me out on the track for under $600 total; wheels & tires!

12lbs. for the R81's and 19lbs. for the Kumho XS's put this budget setup at about 31lbs. per corner. Not bad and hopefully good looking! Albeit not the "best" competitive setup, but good enough to learn the art of the drive on...

(more to come...)

 

Can't wait to see it. I would have tried vinyl.
I have a set of 14 spoke MSR wheels. Maybe I'll attempt those, and make a how to video to show people how easy vinyl can be.

 

BADASS!!! Love the orange

 

Got back to it this afternoon. Sanded the Self Etching Primer with 400 grit. Wheel came out very smooth after sanding the three light coats of the primer; even in the groove that was really rust pitted.

Applied the two light coats of orange and one finish, then within an hour applied two light coats of clear and a shinny finish coat.



Tomorrow will be the big reveal!

 

Are you going to clear coat the whole thing? Chrome part and all?

 

No. I've had wheels in the past that were chromed, partially powder coated in color and clear powder coated over everything before. The clear on the chrome lasted about 2-3 years before it started chipping. And that was with clear "powder coating."

With this enamel spray can job I just clear coated the paint only with the same brand enamel clear coat per their timing instructions on the can.

The initial wheel reveal... (drum roll please )



HOT DOG! These look great. Almost TOO good for beater track wheels. Very satisfied with the products used and look achieved. We will have to see how the hold up over time.

So, off to do the other three wheels all at the same time. It may be a while before I get the Kumho XS tires mounted up, but I will add pictures of them and eventually on the car too.

Cheers all!

 

 

Finished up the other three in poor man's GT Orange.



Got down to the last coat of clear on the last rim and hit the wheel face with the bottom of the spray can . Had to do a little finger dabbing to cover it up, then a heavier coat of clear there. Repair came out "okay" for an on-the-fly dab job. Besides that, the whirlwind GT Orange race prep refurbished R81's look great in my book.

Should "pop" (lol ) with the checkered flag center caps, black lug bolts and track rubber installed!

 

 

Nicely done.

And for the final picture?

 

I hate to say it, but these wheels have been sitting for 8 months now. Have to wait for better financial times to rubber them up, so today I made a garage rafter wheel storage rack out of two scrap pieces of 3/4" pipe wrapped with duct tape and stored them away for safe keeping with earthquake bungie cords around each one. They sit in the empty space between the rolled up garage door and the roof.



Hopefully my measurements are good for the rack to hold the wheels with race rubber installed and/or my 17" all seasons daily drivers while running sticky's...

 

any updates? I just bought some of these for my fit, and would like to see them painted and rolling on a car

 

How are your orange wheels holding up?