my wheels are trashed!, well just a little... Options

[siverson]

Ok, not exactly trashed, but there are water spots (or something) if you look closely. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I had these refinished a couple months ago and they were perfect, but now all have a couple of these little spots. It's on the anodized section.

Any tips on how to remove?

Also what is the "correct" finish for the lug bolts. I've seen some cars with black plastic caps over them - is that from the factory or dealer? Is do they just need to be repainted every time I remove a wheel... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

-Steve


(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/dio159.diomedestorage.com-654-1273718135.1.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/dio159.diomedestorage.com-654-1273718135.2.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/dio314.diomedestorage.com-654-1273718136.3.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/dio314.diomedestorage.com-654-1273718136.4.JPG)

[Tom_T]

Steve - it could also be spotted from the brake dust, which is pretty caustic stuff! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Those black plastic caps Ed was talking about must've been to protect them in shipment, because I don't recall seeing them on any showroom floor back in 1972-76. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

The factory lugs may still be available, or re-cad/zinc plate the ones you have, or there are several vendors on TheSamba selling chromed repros, but make sure that they have the proper semi-spherical acorn shape to fit the inset in the wheels & the "lag" of the threads at the top to prevent scoring the alloys' lug holes.

Here's a pic of the correct original wheels finish & lugs on Steve Gaglione's 73 Sahara Beige 2.0 - never been refinished (more pix in O&H under "The few, the rare..." & "Wheels & Tires" nailed threads.





Hope this helps! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[siverson]

Those black plastic caps Ed was talking about must've been to protect them in shipment, because I don't recall seeing them on any showroom floor back in 1972-76. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Yeah, I sold a 73 1.7 (also Bahia Red) about 2 years ago that had ~22,000 original miles when I bought it. It was 99.9% perfect and 100% original - and it also had black plastic caps on the wheel bolts. I had not seen them before, and I wasn't sure if a previous added them or what. Because the lugs were scratched underneath (like and car that has ever had the wheel removed). Here is a photo I found where you can see the caps on my old car (now in NorCal somewhere...):

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/dio265.diomedestorage.com-654-1273894629.1.jpg)

-Steve