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Re: Libre repops/ USTrans am
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 12:16 am
by Shaundeegan
bakerjf wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2019 9:52 pm
The original unpainted wheel looks great, but is a stain magnet due to its porous nature. After I had the wheels lathed to get rid of the curb rash, the outer rims were clear coated like a modern wheel; I then painted the spokes myself. They look nice and are easy to keep that way.
09A0FB00-186D-468D-9E1F-F9FF015B8543.jpeg
I really like that look. Is that gun metal gray? You stated my worry that the maintenance of cleaning the porous material would be a pain. Did you clear coat after painting?
Re: Libre repops/ USTrans am
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 1:16 pm
by bakerjf
Shaundeegan wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2019 12:16 am
bakerjf wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2019 9:52 pm
The original unpainted wheel looks great, but is a stain magnet due to its porous nature. After I had the wheels lathed to get rid of the curb rash, the outer rims were clear coated like a modern wheel; I then painted the spokes myself. They look nice and are easy to keep that way.
09A0FB00-186D-468D-9E1F-F9FF015B8543.jpeg
I really like that look. Is that gun metal gray? You stated my worry that the maintenance of cleaning the porous material would be a pain. Did you clear coat after painting?
I used the antique nickel for the spokes, and flat iron to paint the rear brake drums. As an aside, that color is really just a darker shade of the nickel that does a much better job of “hiding†the drum (which otherwise distracts from the wheel) than black or the natural finish of the drum itself. I did clear the spokes with a flat enamel to finish it off.
DF1E49D2-685E-435A-9CFC-2F7C04D7FB72.jpeg
D2CDE2BA-8C02-4545-B73D-0CC0F2F9ADCC.jpeg
Re: Libre repops/ USTrans am
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 6:52 pm
by fj20spl311
J. Baker,
those wheels look good.
Re: Libre repops/ USTrans am
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 7:18 pm
by Gregs672000
Really a classic, period correct look... very nice.
Re: Libre repops/ USTrans am
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 10:23 pm
by Shaundeegan
bakerjf wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2019 1:16 pm
Shaundeegan wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2019 12:16 am
bakerjf wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2019 9:52 pm
The original unpainted wheel looks great, but is a stain magnet due to its porous nature. After I had the wheels lathed to get rid of the curb rash, the outer rims were clear coated like a modern wheel; I then painted the spokes myself. They look nice and are easy to keep that way.
09A0FB00-186D-468D-9E1F-F9FF015B8543.jpeg
I really like that look. Is that gun metal gray? You stated my worry that the maintenance of cleaning the porous material would be a pain. Did you clear coat after painting?
I used the antique nickel for the spokes, and flat iron to paint the rear brake drums. As an aside, that color is really just a darker shade of the nickel that does a much better job of “hiding†the drum (which otherwise distracts from the wheel) than black or the natural finish of the drum itself. I did clear the spokes with a flat enamel to finish it off.
DF1E49D2-685E-435A-9CFC-2F7C04D7FB72.jpeg
D2CDE2BA-8C02-4545-B73D-0CC0F2F9ADCC.jpeg
Wow, that's what I'm talking about. Love that look.
Re: Libre repops/ USTrans am
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 3:08 pm
by Pjackb
Personally I`m not a big fan of Libre BUT these ones with dark gray centers and polished lips are simply perfect and that`s how I would refinish them if I had some
Re: Libre repops/ USTrans am
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2019 6:44 pm
by theunz
I love the Libre's, if I ever have to replace my Empi's it would be with Libre's. The ones that Mr. Baker restored are just gorgeous.
Re: Libre repops/ USTrans am
Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 10:41 pm
by auggiemize
J.Baker, Are those the real AR's?...I really need four of those AR centers! Those wheels look great, whatever they are. Thanks, Dave V.
Re: Libre repops/ USTrans am
Posted: Sun May 19, 2019 10:58 pm
by bakerjf
Yes, they’re real! I have three different sets of center caps. The red “Datsun†ones are hard to find, but the black “American Racing†are even harder (there are silver ones that are easy to get). I had to piece those together over several months using EBay alerts...