Ugly Steel Wheels I'm stuck w/ for now

[myfirst124]

First ThankYou to all on the site its the best tool for my new toy. All the post and Pictures are a true inspiration. From Bumper to Bumper and Door to Door all the answers seem to be here. Except this one, I have stock(I'm almost afraid to say it) steel rims that are in a sorry state, but straight. I am on a budget of course, So I want to refubish them for the time being,I was thinking of this...Wire wheel, wire brush, lots of elbow grease and a good couple of coats of Flat black, I do have the original FIAT hub caps in great shape and still very shiny. My '78 is black w/ off white interior and Tan roof, All comments welcome....Mike

[mdrburchette]

Do you have access to a sandblaster? I believe 78 had off white wheels, but black with some beauty rings would really look good with the stock hubcaps. Here's mine with stock steel wheels:

[Nick]

Do you have access to a sandblaster? I believe 78 had off white wheels, but black with some beauty rings would really look good with the stock hubcaps. Here's mine with stock steel wheels:

That looks 10x classier just for having those hubcaps!

[mdrburchette]

Thanks Nick! I kinda miss the simple, stock look sometimes.

[TulsaSpider]

This is my current setup



(I have different tires now) yaaay!!!

[perthling]

I had my steel rims blasted and powder coated in an off-white close to what was available originally. The powder coater called me apologetically because he needed me to stump up for some extra media because the original paint was a bear to remove. Once done though they look good. This might be more time-efficient than your wire wheel approach - I think for me it cost about AU$45 (US$40 or so) per wheel to have them blasted and powder coated.

[myfirst124]

I'll try to do the before and after ....I see a lot of wire wheelin' in my future

[mdrburchette]

Those don't look bad but since you've removed the bumpers, finding a little more modern wheel can be a future project.

[Exit98]

Mike, here's mine. I never thought I'd have a Spider with stock wheels, but now I kinda like the look. Blasting and repainting is on my list too.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2712/453 ... a4e699.jpg

Denise, I love your car. But I'm not very objective. It's exactly the same as the one I bought new April 1972. Only difference, I had CD3's on it. Wish I had that one back.

[myfirst124]

To all, I think I'll be happy w/ the stockers for now w/ some flat Black, but here a thought, if they look strange in anyway w/ the black body paint I could add a contrasting/complementing stripe around the rim since I don't have all 4 beauty rings. comments welcome. Mike. PS the canary yellow is killer on the car, a color I never thought about , but it looks great

[Nick]

Thanks Nick! I kinda miss the simple, stock look sometimes.

I know what you mean. I used to have these ones:



those were on it when I bought the car, but the previous owner included the rims I have on currently. He said they were an option in 1979. I was confused for awhile, because nobody ever seems to have them. I think I have seen ONE other picture of a spider with my rims though, so perhaps they were an option.

[mdrburchette]

Denise, I love your car. But I'm not very objective. It's exactly the same as the one I bought new April 1972. Only difference, I had CD3's on it. Wish I had that one back.

Very nice, Doug. My 71 has the CD3's on it but they need restored. Maybe that burgandy color wasn't such a bad color in 72 afterall.

[courtenay]

Here's my long (and sadly departed) '72 with US Indy mags on it.



They were 13* and had the stock Michelin XAS tires.

[mdrburchette]

Nice car! I had Ron put a pinstripe on mine 10 years ago as a temporary dressing and just pulled it off a couple weeks ago. I think I'll have him restripe it.

The black wheels with a contrasting pinstripe would be nice. Show us pics when you get them done.

[Nick]

Nice car! I had Ron put a pinstripe on mine 10 years ago as a temporary dressing and just pulled it off a couple weeks ago. I think I'll have him restripe it.

The black wheels with a contrasting pinstripe would be nice. Show us pics when you get them done.

I've got a pinstripe on mine now and I think they're great for highlighting the car's curves. Mine's just a cheapo sticker kit from Autozone and it's starting to peel off. Anyone know how much it costs to get a more permanent one?