New wheels...

[33OH]

So I go look at a 1991 Acura Integra LS (4-dr) for my 16 year-old stepbrother. Car is in awesome shape, only $500, so we buy it. 5-speed, lowered, exhaust, CAI, runs great... Amazing deal!

They tell me they have rims for it sitting behind the barn. We walk out back and I look at them... Could it be... Kosei K1's sitting outside in the middle of hick-ville, Ohio? Or are these just replicas? :iono:

I look at the backs.. Made in Japan. The real deal! :wub:

I offer them my ~$90 Nikon Coolpix digital camera... Sold! :thumbup:

Needless to say, they need some TLC, cleaning up, and some paint. But they're all straight, no curbage, no bends. Besides... $90 for a set of 16x7.5, +43, Kosei K1 lightweight wheels from Japan... I think I can handle a little work! :biggrin:

(Anyone want some MOMO rims and tires? LOL. :rolleyes:)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/55456695.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/26e04b75.jpg

[Bluevitz-rs]

Sweet deal!

[Thirty-Nine]

Well played, sir! Kosei K1s are some of my favorite all-time wheels.

[33OH]

Thanks guys!

Mine too Thirty-Nine, I've had my eye them ever since I got the Yaris. Just couldn't bring myself to buy brand new. :thumbsup:

[why?]

that is one heck of a deal! great find.

[fnkngrv]

how's that go again? fall in a bucket of shit and come out smellin like roses? this may apply! very nice find!

[Black Yaris]

media blast em, polish then anodize..... that would be epic

[33OH]

Tiny bit of progress today.. Damn 19,000 layers of spraypaint.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/c875e5e9.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/21f9052d.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/855478cd.jpg

[kimona]

Very nice wheels, great deal, excellent fitment. Should give you a lot of satisfaction when you get done refinishing them. Have fun!

[Bluevitz-rs]

HAHA, didn't you trade away you camera for these wheels? What are you taking those fuzzy pictures with?

[33OH]

My Android phone. Too lazy to break out the nice camera. lol.

[Bluevitz-rs]

did you get all the paint off yet?

[33OH]

Nope, I cleaned the stripper off one wheel with steel wool (#2 grade) and it didn't come off very good. I left the rest of the stripper on to sit overnight and stuck them back in the shed.

[Bluevitz-rs]

Do you have a power washer?

[33OH]

I do but it's broke. I was hoping to sandblast them but can't find anyone with one.

Will have to borrow a power washer from someone.

[Bluevitz-rs]

or you bring them to the car wash and spray them.

[33OH]

^ That's a good idea right there. I need some more paint stripper though now, lol.

[ezhacker1]

aircraft coating remover works wonder.Amazing deal tho, you must at least feel alitttle guilty tho LOL

[33OH]

Where can i get aircraft coating remover?

[Black Yaris]

we sell it at autozone

[33OH]

orly? I'll have to head there. =)

[33OH]

Tiny bit of progress yesterday. Went through 2 whole cans of the aircraft stripper (expensive shit!) and took them to the car wash for more water presssure and the paint is still on them... :mad:

Decided to sandblast them, stay tuned. :thumbsup:

(Also got a nice set of tires yesterday for cheap for them, 195/50/16's.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/68d6290c.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/1b68787a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/2c8481f2.jpg

[PETERPOOP]

sand them by hand?

[YAR1S]

just hand sand them! May take a while but at least you can say you did it by yourself :p

[33OH]

Nah, I got the sandblaster ready to go! All 4 tires dismounted today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/1b9e5c12.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/c67aa570.jpg

[Altitude]

Sandblast is the right path. It'll get all the paint off and leave you with a great surface for new paint to adhere.

[33OH]

These have been sandblasted before as well, so not messing up the finish of the bare metal. That's why I'm having such a problem too, the red is powdercoated.

[33OH]

Sandblasted and sanded to no avail today. The red is powdercoated and is not coming off. Going to have to get them professionally stripped. :(

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/61afaaf7.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/74c37b93.jpg

[PETERPOOP]

is that some emo hardcore band t-shirt?

[33OH]

Haha yes, matches well with the "gas mask".

Just an old shirt I used that I wouldn't care if it got ruined. Don't wear it anymore in public. :biggrin:

[PETERPOOP]

:P

[33OH]

*hurries up and crops the image to deny the emo shirt.

(Okay, kidding.)

[Bluevitz-rs]

WOW, I didn't think powder coat was that tough.

[Altitude]

So... how long were you wearing all that gear before you tried your best Darth Vader impersonation?

[33OH]

So... how long were you wearing all that gear before you tried your best Darth Vader impersonation?

:laugh:

Kosei.. I am your father.

[33OH]

Update - the guy I had hired to sandblast them hasn't come through. I picked the wheels up in around the same state I left them at his place in over a week ago.

I bought some gel Aircraft Stripper and went to town on them with an air-powered grinder (the gel is the same brand as before, just the bigger gel can now. $17.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/eeb3ae0b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/80ba1f98.jpg

Sprayed them off at a car wash to get the gel residue off.. that crap's nasty. :barf:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/2bb9a566.jpg

Now 2 of them are about 95% done, and 2 of them are about 75% done.. stay tuned.

[33OH]

Wheels are all ALMOST done. Spent more time with the grinder and the aircraft coating stripper. All the insides are completed, just the nooks and crannies remain. Sandblasting again... :mad:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/e9bfb102.jpg

[33OH]

Just ordered some custom color Kosei K1 Racing replacement decals, glittery gunmetal.. mmm :)

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh147/jmcfab/2ca3ef1d.jpg

[33OH]

Stripped/sandblasted the rest of it last night... Now I just need to grind the paint where the bead of the tire will seal, wash/degrease the wheels, clean them with paint thinner, primer, and paint...

Paint was just now ordered. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/619227f1.jpg

[33OH]

For the cleaning/degreasing.. Took them to the car wash again. Pre-soak is a degreaser, then a high-pressure rinse. I then wiped each one down 3 times with Acetone.

I also grinded the inside lips out to ensure the tires will hold air good without the paint on the inside interfering.

Primered.. just need one more coat of primer and to scuff them up before the paint arrives on Wednesday... :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/c0e26977.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/28358a33.jpg

[33OH]

Thanks to Garm himself.. we're going for this color... :cool: Paint comes in tomorrow!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/koseibright-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/koseips222.jpg
http://media.mydoitbest.com/imagerequest.aspx?sku=789349&size=2&warehouse=C&newsize=200
http://www.wreckedmagazine.com/images/2009/kengushi-2009car.jpg

[Bluevitz-rs]

CUT THOSE OLD VALVE STEMS OFF!!!!!

Sorry to shout, but you go through all that work and paint around the old valves?

[33OH]

They'll be gone before I paint. Have new ones sitting on the work bench. Didn't see a need to cut them off yet as the sand blasting and primer easily went behind them.

[Bluevitz-rs]

because you want a nice clean smooth surface for the valve to seal up to just like the tires do.

[33OH]

The sand blasting was pitting the aluminum, didn't want to ruin the surface. It'll be smooth, there is no leftover paint there.

[DeathBeard]

very nice, are those 15x7 38 offset?

[33OH]

They are 16x7.5 +43 offset.

[33OH]

Final coat of primer is on. Now to scuff them up, and paint tomorrow. Apply the decals, then mount the tires.. and voila!!! :biggrin:

Also just found a set of Ray's hubcentric rings from my old 17x7 Ray's G-games... may come in handy with these.. :wink:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/ecf3f6b6.jpg

[marlondog]

I hope you keep these wheels for a long time, and not try to sell them next month. I've never seen so much prep work for wheels.Must of been a pita. Not even those day laborers in the front of "Homes Depot" would be able to do what you just did. We're proud of you!

[SilverBack]

Nice wheel project. Never seen it done this thoroughly. Can't wait to see the end results.

[33OH]

I hope you keep these wheels for a long time, and not try to sell them next month. I've never seen so much prep work for wheels.Must of been a pita. Not even those day laborers in the front of "Homes Depot" would be able to do what you just did. We're proud of you!

Thanks Marlon! :cool: I was just telling my dad how I will have to keep these ones since I've gone through so much to get them finished.. He said he'll give me a few weeks, lol. :evil:

But seriously, I agree. I think these may be my forever wheels. :w00t:

Nice wheel project. Never seen it done this thoroughly. Can't wait to see the end results.

Thanks SilverBack! I've never refinished a set of wheels before so I figured there had to be others who haven't either.. To be honest, I never thought they would have been so tough to do, but hopefully this "DIY" (for lack of better terms) can help some others! :thumbsup:

[kimona]

QUOTE: I think these may be my forever wheels.

Hmmm... While I like the colour choice, perhaps you'll tire of green wheels sooner than you think.

[33OH]

Can always repaint. :wink:

[DeathBeard]

I call dibs on these wheels if you ever sell them:thumbsup:

[33OH]

I call dibs on these wheels if you ever sell them:thumbsup:

:biggrin:

[33OH]

Wheels are all painted. Waiting on them to dry to apply decals and to put the tires on. :)

It's hard to capture the actual color, but they aren't quite as fluorescenty as the Photoshop. Still look awesome though!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/7c9f2bcc-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/4ab46438-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/27d8ba5c-1.jpg

[Thirty-Nine]

Looks good! Looking forward to seeing these on the car.

[Bluevitz-rs]

Awesome work!!! Look at that sheeeen!

[33OH]

All done and mounted. Just need to balance them sometime this weekend. :)

Like I said, it's hard to capture the color on these camera phone pics, but here is an idea...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/a32c9f4a-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/38e26951-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/19d4ceb6-1.jpg

[33OH]

Looks good! Looking forward to seeing these on the car.

Your wish is my command. :biggrin: Thanks 39!

Awesome work!!! Look at that sheeeen!

:w00t: Thank you Bluevitz!

[PETERPOOP]

hey, looks good. drop it more!

[spleeping prophet]

hey, looks good. drop it more!

and get a body kit :thumbup:

looks good.

[3stars_n_a_sun]

green ftw! like it it's simple yet striking

[33OH]

hey, looks good. drop it more!

It's actually lower than the pictures, it just got off the jack in those and hadn't settled back down.

Proper photoshoot soon.. with a REAL camera. :redface:

[kimona]

Looks great!!!

[KCALB SIRAY]

hmm, wonder how that color would look on my Blk Pearl? Looks great =)

[yarisugi]

Is that from spray can or powder coated? Looks great!

[SIPNGAS]

hmm, wonder how that color would look on my Blk Pearl? Looks great =)

I think the color would look great on the black pearl, the gray like Ryan's AND the Polar White...like mine... :thumbup:

[33OH]

Is that from spray can or powder coated? Looks great!

It's spray can, Rustoleum Key Lime.

I think the color would look great on the black pearl, the gray like Ryan's AND the Polar White...like mine... :thumbup:

:headbang:

[33OH]

Just a few from my lunchtime.. I have some black Muteki lugnuts on order, will help the look. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/970d4790.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/52737496.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/65fad4d6.jpg

[RacerFreakXXX]

looks really sexy, and it's nice to see some color.

[kimona]

It's spray can, Rustoleum Key Lime.





You've done an amazing job with spray cans!

[solarVitz]

looking good. now your car will attract more attention on the road. good job on restoring the wheels. :thumbsup:

[TRD93]

Looks sick way to bring em back from the dead!:thumbup:

[33OH]

Thanks all! :biggrin: The black Muteki's came in yesterday, just waiting on some hubcentric spacers from Tire Rack and this project will be 100% complete. :thumbup:

[firemachine69]

Those rims are ugly as shit... And yet... I want them... :laugh:

[33OH]

Some crappy cell phone pics of the new Muteki black lugs.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/b438d467.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/e16489d9.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v80/poisonherlungs/6304ed1f.jpg

[Bluevitz-rs]

Ah, out doing a little shopping at JCPenney I see. LOL

[kimona]

Don't those wheels have a centre cap available?

[Chuck G]

[QUOTE=ryank;487588]Some crappy cell phone pics of the new Muteki black lugs.

What % is your tint?
I think it's perfect!!

[33OH]

Don't those wheels have a centre cap available?

No, Kosei K1's never came with a center cap.



What % is your tint?
I think it's perfect!!

Tint is 30% sides and 20% on the back glass. :cool:

[kngrsll]

just found this thread... awesome story, awesome pics! thats cool to see

[Stove]

How well is that paint holding up? Any issues?

[33OH]

No issues at all yet.