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Author Topic: Centerline finish opinions??  (Read 8095 times)
Dave Rosique
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nobodyouno


« on: February 12, 2009, 05:13:16 am »


Greetings,

I've recently picked up a nice set of Centerline wheels that I'm considering running on my Oval. They have been polished, but I'm no longer a big fan of fully polished wheels... I like the satin finish that comes standard on Centerlines, but that would be next to impossible for me to re-create on these wheels. I've been thinking about sending the wheels out to be silver anodized... Any opinions?? I'm thinking something like the finish of a non polished 911 alloy wheel... would that be too plain on a Centerline?

So to sum it up, a polished then silver anodized wide five Centerline with black brake drums, black 911 alloy lug nuts, and I'm assuming the rivets would stay polished.

Oh yeah, these will be on a Jungle Green '56 Oval...
Help me out here Huh

Thanks,

~DR.
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Shubee2 (DSK)
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« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2009, 05:34:29 am »

I would have them Repolished as you will never  get the look of a spun wheel again Alloy lug nuts have to big of base the centerlines are not counter sunk enough the base is big and the will stick out to far an look tackie but got to have Black Drum's  Polished Centerlines look good on most all bright color cars they dont look to well with tans and pale yellow's
« Last Edit: February 12, 2009, 05:37:05 am by Shubee2 (DSK) » Logged

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« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2009, 06:21:53 am »

 Hey Dave,
  Well first I think polished centerlines are a good look. As for opinions or ideas I got a few too. I think the silver anodizing could be cool I would suggest a trial piece of aluminum to get a feel for the outcome. I also think maybe powder coat them a satin black? or maybe even black anodizing? (I just think black rims are cool, alot of drag cars these days use all black wheels) If they were silver anodized I think the rivets should be also, I think you should stud the drums and run lugs with the studs sticking through as in race application. Hell even gold anodizing might look wild???

Can't wait to see what you come up with.
Jason
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« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2009, 07:51:49 am »

A friend had his brand new Alcoa alloys off his dually crew cab GMC anodized black years ago (before it was cool) and it was a major dissapointment! They looked like they had been sprayed with Krylon Primer!! Sad

If it wasn't for the rivets, I'd think someone could recreate the spun finish. I agree that the spun finish with black drums and studs with lug nuts is the race look that Centerlines deserve! Just my 2 cents worth...
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Bewitched666
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« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2009, 08:08:41 am »

I would go for the polished look Cool
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« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2009, 09:27:38 am »

They're Ercos...


Back on topic - anodising pre-used alumin(i)um is hard to do well, as it tends to show up every mark in the metal. Many anodisers won't guarantee the outcome. It all depends on how good the wheels are in detail.
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« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2009, 14:17:50 pm »

sorry  but i prefer satin look too  Wink
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2009, 17:27:33 pm »

I prefer the stain, spun look. But polished, but not to the point diamond-sparkle, would look good too. I assume they are the open center 5 x 205mm? I like those on street cars, with a flat gold painted drum. Would accent the jungle green nicely.
Let's see some pictures, Dave!
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« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2009, 20:34:50 pm »

Maybe Tobi from DFL could post some pictures, he had his wheels sandblasted and treated them afterwards.
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« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2009, 05:34:19 am »

What about sanding them dwn with something like 1000 grade and moving up to 2500 grade paper? This would knock the shine down for sure and than dont re polish them. Just a thought
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Tobi/DFL
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« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2009, 14:25:11 pm »

Hi!

Jelle is right. I glass blasted my centerlines hoping to achieve a sort of satin finished look. The result was a very dull finish which I didnīt really like so I decided to satinize them by hand.
The first pic shows a blasted wheel on the left hand side and a reworked wheel midway through the sanding job on the right hand side.
The second pic shows the finished rear wheel mounted to the car. Finally the third pic shows how it looks on the car right now.
Bye,

Tobi
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Jim Ratto
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« Reply #11 on: February 13, 2009, 21:03:02 pm »

Hi!

Jelle is right. I glass blasted my centerlines hoping to achieve a sort of satin finished look. The result was a very dull finish which I didnīt really like so I decided to satinize them by hand.
The first pic shows a blasted wheel on the left hand side and a reworked wheel midway through the sanding job on the right hand side.
The second pic shows the finished rear wheel mounted to the car. Finally the third pic shows how it looks on the car right now.
Bye,

Tobi

Another perfect example of a hot rod VW. Your car looks like "it"!  Cool
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danny gabbard
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« Reply #12 on: February 13, 2009, 23:38:26 pm »

How about spin them on a lathe while sanding them with like 180 grit
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lawrence
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« Reply #13 on: February 13, 2009, 23:53:11 pm »

The satin finish looks good Tobi! I actually like the bead blasted wheel too, it would look good on a dragcar or offroad. Here is a link to centerline. They still sell these wheels.

http://centerlinewheels.com/wheel_deals_detail.php?id=12573&type=vehicle&data=46
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« Reply #14 on: February 14, 2009, 00:08:24 am »

No matter what you do to them they are going to be a little funky around the rivets  Like Danny said you could spin them and sand with 180 that will give it the original look but without removing the rivets and spinning them that will alway have a cirle or marks around the the rivets that why I said Repolish them  I like satin better to but  if you want them to look new the rivets need to come out  Check with Centerline I know they Repair them  if you bend a lip you can have them install a new half on it  it worth a call
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« Reply #15 on: February 14, 2009, 02:00:35 am »

Boy Dave, this thread brings back some old memories!  Back in the'70's, while working at Sierra Porsche Audi with Harvey Weidman, we really got into Centerlines.  At the end of all the finish experiments,  black anodized, gold riveted 15"  9's and 11's looked hot on a Grand Prix White Turbo Carrera  Cool Cool Cool!  The very outer edge of the wheel lip got polished, too (about an eighth of an inch) to help with wheel to tire contrast.  Wish I had pics  Embarrassed .  When our first sand rail came together, I knew I had to have Centerlines for the rear but didn't have the dough for a polish job until later.  Each finish has it's merits though the polished stayed nicer longer then the spun.
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lawrence
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« Reply #16 on: February 14, 2009, 02:07:19 am »

Centerlines on a Porsche:o Damn Sarge I bet that Carrera looked badass!!
« Last Edit: February 14, 2009, 02:08:54 am by lawrence » Logged

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« Reply #17 on: February 14, 2009, 04:52:38 am »

Dave, I agree with you... I'm also no longer a fan of full polished wheels. I prefer 'em silver. I'd like to see a set of Centerlines sprayed pewter or silver. Only reason I'd opt for paint, is because of the rivet heads... like Gary S. posted; no matter what finish (aside from paint) you choose, you gotta deal with the wheel material surrounding the rivet heads.

 Huh

So... whaddya gonna go with? I'm sure whatever the outcome, your car's gonna rock.
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youngnstudly
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« Reply #18 on: February 14, 2009, 07:07:26 am »

Has anybody had a set of wheels anodized? What is an approx cost Huh? I keep thinking of getting a set of centerlines and having them anodized gold for a real 70's cal-looker. I'm not sure how the anodized color would match  the bead blasted copper parts I have though...

 I would have to say that bead blasting would be the best choice for creating a satin finish on already polished rims. Play around with different media and air pressure until you get the finish you like. I use media that is around 360 grit in my cabinet and the beads are so fine that it looks like baking soda.
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Dave Rosique
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nobodyouno


« Reply #19 on: February 15, 2009, 07:28:10 am »


Guys,

Thanks for the replys / opinions / ideas on this topic...
I have a single "donor" centerline for a spare in my Baja that I think I will expirement with. Several years ago, a buddy of mine had a '37 Chevy drag car that had gold anodized Centerlines. Back then, I really liked the look... they almost looked like a gold clear coat.
I'll have my polisher fully polish the "donor" centerline paying extra attention acound the rivets, then have it anodized silver. I'm hoping the silver will look like a slightly dull, silver tinted clear coat over the polished wheel. I'm pretty sure the anodizing will not affect the polished stainless rivets, which should add a little detail to an otherwise simple wheel...

Please keep the ideas coming, and I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Thanks,
~DR
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« Reply #20 on: February 15, 2009, 12:05:39 pm »

I say go polished centerlines!



Sorry Smiley
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Sarge
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« Reply #21 on: February 15, 2009, 19:26:41 pm »


I say go polished centerlines!

Sorry Smiley


Me, too!  Nice car Cool

Sorry Smiley
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Dave Rosique
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nobodyouno


« Reply #22 on: February 16, 2009, 07:32:56 am »


I Can't argue the look of Rolands or Tobi's... Grin  Nice cars guys!!



~DR.
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« Reply #23 on: February 16, 2009, 08:09:44 am »

Dave, it's not my car, it's Xavier's from our club... Still a nice car though Smiley
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Dave Rosique
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nobodyouno


« Reply #24 on: February 16, 2009, 08:56:08 am »

Dave, it's not my car, it's Xavier's from our club... Still a nice car though Smiley

Thanks Roland Wink

Nice car Xavier! Grin

~DR.
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peach_
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« Reply #25 on: February 16, 2009, 20:55:32 pm »

What about Painting them black? I know its not the norm but it could look really cool on the rite car Cool
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Dave Rosique
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nobodyouno


« Reply #26 on: February 16, 2009, 22:15:26 pm »

What about Painting them black? I know its not the norm but it could look really cool on the rite car Cool

I like black wheels on my 4X4, but I'm not sure about the Oval... I agree they could look good on the right car, especially if you retained the polished stainless rivet.

~DR.
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WhiteTrash
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« Reply #27 on: February 17, 2009, 00:13:40 am »

What about Painting them black? I know its not the norm but it could look really cool on the rite car Cool

I remember some guy back when i had my Cutlass Cruiser in the early 90's in Berlin. He had a green/brown/black camouflaged mid 70's Ranchero and brush painted his Centerlines satin black. Roll Eyes

Ok if you want to go watching Silverback gorillas in the Congo, but for a nice street car? Huh
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« Reply #28 on: February 17, 2009, 08:13:54 am »

[Ok if you want to go watching Silverback gorillas in the Congo,
that is so last century.  Roll Eyes==%----+
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peach_
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« Reply #29 on: February 17, 2009, 18:34:38 pm »

What about Painting them black? I know its not the norm but it could look really cool on the rite car Cool
brush painted his Centerlines satin black. Roll Eyes


No I ment get them powder coated or anodized?
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