Refinished Wheels and New Tyres
Discussion
As the Esprit was on blocks whilst the oily bits were being attended to, I decided to replace the tyres, which were of indeterminate age, looking a bit thin on top and past their best. (sounds familiar?)
As the tyres were off, it seemed rude not to treat the rims to a bit of TLC.
The original finish wasn't bad, but there were a couple of scabs on the front rims. I decided to entrust the wheels to my local metal polisher, who was prepared to have a go at strippng and polishing the rims.
He did a first class job, simply leaving me to degrease, mask up, prime and spray the centres. I used a steel colour alloy wheel paint from Halfords over a white primer.
I haven't lacquered the rims, as the car is not generally used in the salt and wet. I will be buying shares in Solvol as I suspect that I am about to become their Number One customer.
The tyres are Pirellis, original sizes and cost £270 inc VAT for the full set from a contact in the trade. P6000s on the front and P600s on the back. I spent a further £30 having them fitted and balanced with stick on weights on the inside of the rims.
Before:
After:
The polishing was £30 for each front rim and £45 for each rear. I regard this as money well spent.
Pat.
As the tyres were off, it seemed rude not to treat the rims to a bit of TLC.
The original finish wasn't bad, but there were a couple of scabs on the front rims. I decided to entrust the wheels to my local metal polisher, who was prepared to have a go at strippng and polishing the rims.
He did a first class job, simply leaving me to degrease, mask up, prime and spray the centres. I used a steel colour alloy wheel paint from Halfords over a white primer.
I haven't lacquered the rims, as the car is not generally used in the salt and wet. I will be buying shares in Solvol as I suspect that I am about to become their Number One customer.
The tyres are Pirellis, original sizes and cost £270 inc VAT for the full set from a contact in the trade. P6000s on the front and P600s on the back. I spent a further £30 having them fitted and balanced with stick on weights on the inside of the rims.
Before:
After:
The polishing was £30 for each front rim and £45 for each rear. I regard this as money well spent.
Pat.
Way to go! They look really good, shame we don't live in the same country 
could have set you up polishing your rims for the price of a few cans of drink and a few laughs. We have got a great set-up at home for polishing all sorts of metals. They look much better. How do you find the new tyres?
could have set you up polishing your rims for the price of a few cans of drink and a few laughs. We have got a great set-up at home for polishing all sorts of metals. They look much better. How do you find the new tyres?
Hi, Kylie.
Its too early to tell how the tyres will be as they are not properly scrubbed in yet.
Seems to be less understeer, but that doesn't surprise me as the edges of the front NCTs were right down to the wear markers and beyond.
I recall being able to provoke progressive oversteer in the dry with the NCTs coming out of my favourite second gear roundabout. If you kept the power full on then the car would slide noticeably sideways and then come gently back into line.
I have tried equally hard with the new tyres, but only managed to provoke a short squirm.
The NCTs were about two thirds worn, but have probably been on the car for far too long as the sidewalls were starting to crack.
The only tyre that seems to be available in 235/60/15 in the UK is the P600. The choice for fronts is far wider, including the original NCT.
Perversely, however, Pirelli only offer a P6000 for the front, so I do not believe that it is possible to buy a fully matching tyre set in the UK without changing profile or rim diameter. I think that the P6000/P600 combination is as close as you can get.
I believe that the Yanks have a better tyre choice for the G shape car, but us Limeys have to settle for second best. Bloody Typical.
Pat.
Its too early to tell how the tyres will be as they are not properly scrubbed in yet.
Seems to be less understeer, but that doesn't surprise me as the edges of the front NCTs were right down to the wear markers and beyond.
I recall being able to provoke progressive oversteer in the dry with the NCTs coming out of my favourite second gear roundabout. If you kept the power full on then the car would slide noticeably sideways and then come gently back into line.
I have tried equally hard with the new tyres, but only managed to provoke a short squirm.
The NCTs were about two thirds worn, but have probably been on the car for far too long as the sidewalls were starting to crack.
The only tyre that seems to be available in 235/60/15 in the UK is the P600. The choice for fronts is far wider, including the original NCT.
Perversely, however, Pirelli only offer a P6000 for the front, so I do not believe that it is possible to buy a fully matching tyre set in the UK without changing profile or rim diameter. I think that the P6000/P600 combination is as close as you can get.
I believe that the Yanks have a better tyre choice for the G shape car, but us Limeys have to settle for second best. Bloody Typical.
Pat.
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