July 22, 2006 WHEELS

The native wheel size for a Starlet is 13 inches you can go as big as 14 inches but that is it. If you go bigger than than you might as well add some spinners, add some neon lights under and humungous wing on top of the car to complete that ^*%#$ look. As the saying goes TO EACH HIS OWN, some cars look nicer with larger wheels but when it comes to the Starlet this car is the exception. Ideal size for a flushed look (wheels tucked inside the fender) is 5.5-6 inches wide. 7-8 inches wide is ideal for mini bubble flares. 8-10 inches wide you will need the TRD N2 wide kit. 50 series tires is the riguer, you can find 40-45 series but you can only find that size on wide racing tires. And finally, the deeper the lip the better. The deeper the lip the pricier a jdm wheels get (you also have to factor the wheel's condition of course).

I just got a set Advan A3As 13x6 with a positive 15mm off set (2.4 inch lip). The condition is more than fair for my taste and price, it comes with a complete set of center caps which I think is vitally important in buying used jdm aluminum wheels especially if it is rare, the A3As are not rare though. Complete center caps comes only second when you consider buying jdm aluminum wheels, the condition of the wheels is the primary concern here. There must be no scratches, curb rashes nor bent lip. But if you will be searching for a set with a small budget like I do, slight rashes and very minimal curb rash is acceptable...but no matter how great the condition if it has a bent lip, FORGET IT!

After the rims has arrived, I inspected it has very minimal curb rashes and small scratches here and there as I anticipated. I kinda want it that way because with that I was able to purchase it at a good price. Who doesn't want a set in brand new condition with a cheap price? In real world it rarely happens, it's either the owner is need or probably have stolen it haha or whatever rare instances that may be.

The reason I wanted a not so perfect set of wheels is because I wanted to learn how to repair and polish wheels. Shops charges $100 per wheel for a polishing job, polishing job only...repair comes extra...so 4 wheels means $400! I did my research thru the internet. I bought automotive sandpapers from #60-#2000, small polishing wheels, aluminum polish, compounds and a rechargable dremmel tool kit, etc...man it almost cost me $300. Anyway, I tried doing a sample section at the other side of the wheel to make sure that I did it right the first time. I started cleaning the rims then started with a 320 grit sand paper then consequently went to finer grits. I washed the wheel everytime I change grits, It may sound daunting but washing everytime before you change grit makes sanding easier and out better, believe me. After 40 minutes of sanding and polishing on this small part, here is the result:

So here's looking forward to a nice set of polished wheels! I'll give you the blow by blow as I go on...so until next time folks.

Once it is done and installed this will look good in conjunction with my red line S-grille (Evil smirk)

July 26, 2006

I started with one wheel, using a 320 grit which I think is suffice for the usual jdm aluminum wheels but on this advan it is a different matter. I noticed the lip color is kinda looked like an anodized aluminum or silver looking. I tried sanding it for an hour with 320 grit to get that natural aluminum look to come out but no dice. How would I know if there's that natural aluminum under that thick anodized look? Remember I tested doing a small part at the backside? Well I cant believe it took me 40 minutes to sand away just for that small part. I reluctantly decided to try the 240 grit for another hour and shazam! the natural aluminum came out, not everything yet though. Boy do I have to tell you, it is no fun at all, my hand and fingers were shaking after just the initial stage har har, I refuse (or am afraid) to use some sort of electric sander of any type because I dont want to make the mistake of oversanding it. I probably should to make the process faster but I dont know if it will take the fun out that or if I dont you could accuse me of being a masochist. Right now I am in no rush, probably just do it for 30 minutes a day after work. I guess its another form of exercise like the wax in wax out from the Karate Kid movie hehe. Here's some photos after doing the 240 grit, then in comparison with the untouched Advan.