Just finished my polished aluminum center caps........
05-03-2002, 04:51 AM
#1
Just finished my polished aluminum center caps........
I really hated the cheesy 80's-looking chromed plastic caps that came with my Voxx MGR's so I decided to make my own....
So I frankensteined the solid aluminum center caps from my stock 16" swing wheels (aluminum caps were only on 99.5 and prior A4's) to the Voxx caps.
Initially I just painted them silver (which explains the silver paint on the Voxx caps), but the silver paint didn't match the paint on the wheels, and I really wasn't happy with them (see older pics of my car). So I decided to go for a true aluminum look....
First I had to remove the snaps from the backs of the swing caps. I then stripped the paint off of them with laquer thinner. I then sanded them down with progressively finer grits, to a final 600 grit wet sand. I then used a three step polishing compound to get a nice shine.
I then had to glue them to the Voxx caps, since I needed to use the snaps from the Voxx caps. To do this I used an industrial strength hot glue. If you look closely, you can see the holes I drilled in the Voxx caps. I did this so that I could get glue above and below the caps, to create a mechanical bond.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps2.jpg">
Once they were glued to together, 4 coats of laquer clear coat and I was done. Very happy with how it came out. The tone of the aluminum matches the paint on the wheels quite well, just glossier.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps3.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps4.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps5.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps6.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps7.jpg">
So I frankensteined the solid aluminum center caps from my stock 16" swing wheels (aluminum caps were only on 99.5 and prior A4's) to the Voxx caps.
Initially I just painted them silver (which explains the silver paint on the Voxx caps), but the silver paint didn't match the paint on the wheels, and I really wasn't happy with them (see older pics of my car). So I decided to go for a true aluminum look....
First I had to remove the snaps from the backs of the swing caps. I then stripped the paint off of them with laquer thinner. I then sanded them down with progressively finer grits, to a final 600 grit wet sand. I then used a three step polishing compound to get a nice shine.
I then had to glue them to the Voxx caps, since I needed to use the snaps from the Voxx caps. To do this I used an industrial strength hot glue. If you look closely, you can see the holes I drilled in the Voxx caps. I did this so that I could get glue above and below the caps, to create a mechanical bond.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps2.jpg">
Once they were glued to together, 4 coats of laquer clear coat and I was done. Very happy with how it came out. The tone of the aluminum matches the paint on the wheels quite well, just glossier.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps3.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps4.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps5.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps6.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13802/caps7.jpg">
05-03-2002, 05:14 AM
#7
so far.....they're a pretty burly design, about 24 lbs (not exactly light).....
I would guess that they're stong, only had 'em a couple months. We'll see.
"reggie" has had them for a couple years with no problems.
"reggie" has had them for a couple years with no problems.
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05-03-2002, 05:25 AM
#8
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I can understand completely!!
I'm still planning on doing the Neus Bils... Just waiting for funds to build up.
I also think that the Miltek exhaust would be a nice addition as well
Trying to decide which to do first. Since I'm not chipped, I'm leaning towards shocks...
I also think that the Miltek exhaust would be a nice addition as well
Trying to decide which to do first. Since I'm not chipped, I'm leaning towards shocks...
