1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

This is the look I'm going for

tofuprod

You know, this isn't the style I would personally want on the LS, but something about it though, it does look damn good.

Thanks for sharing!

superdenso

Nice wheel choice. 3 piece wheels are something special.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

I agree 100%

For me there is no other wheel then the 3 piece wheel

I sometimes buy them even when I don't need them, buy and sell, buy and trade, or buy for future needs

I just wish I had more space, my balcony cant fit much more and my living room already looks like a garage lol

nar8ta

iTrader: (14)

Congrades on the wheels bro, they look great on your car. I also went the tanabe springs route, but my car came with springs rather than stock air, which I'm happy about (no warning light to worry about). I also found the wheels of my dreams as well by accident (Trafficstar RTV 22x10.5/ 9.5 offset 20, and 19). They also came off a BMW 7 series. They were a little aggressive to I had to run a stretched Nexus N3000 (265/30/22) in the rear, and cut the rear quarter panels to clear. The front are 245/35/22 same brand tire.

What offset are the wheels?

I think big face wheels look amazing out our Ls's because its such a big car. Nice wheel collection. i built my last wheels I had on my old GS, it was a fun experience. The only issues with the trafficstars are they are 3 piece welded like a lot of the Japanese wheels on the market. Why they do this, I don't know. I'll have to cut the welds when I re-lip them....no fun.

Oliver Enterprises

Alright, I'll admit it. I'm interested in "building" a set of wheels. Does anyone have a good link to something like "Building Wheels 101: A guide to 3-Piece Wheels?"

I'm going to the dark side, just like Darth Vader. Ever since I saw Daniel1235's car on the Picture thread.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

those trafficstars are really nice man, very rare too.

I agree on the full face wheels , for luxury sedans like the LS, 7 series and S class they look amazing.

Ive scored a lot of good wheel from the BMW guys, even for my previous corvettes which also share a similar bolt pattern.

I don't know the offsets but ill find out once I get tem back together

I'm sure online there is tons of info, but best bet is just to look for a used set you like and buy them, you can figure it out as you go, its fairly easy once you do your first set.

Unless your a real money man and can buy brand new, then you wont need to do any rebuilding lol

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

The hard part is finished now, they are broken down, chemically stripped the clear coat and pressure washed them, ready for polishing.

I had to use a grinder to cut off a few bolts that were stripped, the previous owner also used Loctite on the bolts so it was a pain to get them out, had to use a hammer and a Robertson and avoid damaging anything, but all good now.

RandyV

Offsets aren't correct.

LOL

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

Thanks, I really hadn't noticed

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

Ok so ive finally got back tot his project and made some progress.

First I would like to share a little trick Ive been using to refinish the nuts and bolts on 3 piece wheels, which are almost always rusted and severely oxidized.

Its called a "polishing tumbler" , you can buy them from harbor freight or many other places. I waited for months for it to go on sale at Canadian tire before purchasing one.

It uses different abrasive mediums, in my case I'm using ground walnut shells, and it vibrates really fast and can clean nuts, bolts and anything metal that can fit inside really.

I want to try some stronger abrasives , but for right now the walnut shells are doing pretty good.

These nuts and bolts were rusted , covered with silicone and old clear coat from a previous respray, I soaked them in an acid bath for a while, then gave them a couple hours in the tumbler, they came out pretty good.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

Onto the wheels, I got one finished finally and I'm really happy with the way it turned out.

I gave it FULL polish.

Started wetsanding with 220 grit, 320 , 400, 600, 800, 1000 , 1500, 2000 , and then finished with my griots 6 inch random orbital , heavy cut pad, medium cut pad, and light cut pad, with MOTHERS Metal Polish .

Took about 5 hours just to polish one wheel face.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

few photos look like there are some scratches but its just a reflection

Going to keep them raw, no clear coat, just maybe some carnuba wax or a synthetic sealer to add some protection from the weather.

Ill take some more as I do the other 3 wheels.

Dave144239

That's a lot of work, but the wheel came out great!

UDel

First time I have ever seen or heard anyone talk about those tumblers since I saw it in "Tremors" where the noise it made attracted one of the "graboids". I guess it cleans brass rifle shells too.