I didn't actually fabricate these, but it was the least expensive way to go. What do you think?

 

My opinion, I would get new wheels and tires. Unless the car matches the condition of the wheel & tire pictured.

 

As far as condition, they look bad because they are very dirty. We have been in a rain storm for 3 days, they are usually very clean and shiny and are the stock rims from my 82. The car is actually very clean and in great condition for being 23 years old. The interior is almost brand new, the body is straight no wrecks, she just needs some new paint this summer.
Thanks

 

Here is a better picture with a little work. I know some people still don't like these rims, but my car is staying the way it was bought from the factory. I was only trying to get a comment on the wheel center caps. I ordered plain janes and made the inserts.

 

I honestly think part of the problem is that damn angle

Polish the wheels fully .. and take pics further away and I bet ya they may very well look awesome

 

OK,
Now you got me. How can I possibly polish these rims? They are 23 years old and there is nothing to polish??? The wheel caps are new, I painted the lugs, the beauty rings are clean and are made from plastic, and besides having them either painted or powder coated how do you polish a rim like this???

 

Steel wheels ? I forgot what they're made of .. or are they machined aluminum finish ?

 

That's a good question you asked. I will have to check and get back to you. Well anyway's, I cleaned them with some CLR and until I get them powder coated that's the best I could do. Should I powder coat or paint them myself?

 

All depends on what exact look you want. To me it looks like they may be hmmm machined finish ? Could be originally polished and then clearcoated

 

Looks good. Like factory. ™

 

Thanks, I bought two sets of the original camaro emblems yesterday so I am set for emblems.

 

where do you live? I see you have wheel locks on there. most of our thirgen rims arn't much of a target unless you have gta rims

 

Where I live there is really no crime. The people I bought the car from had the had the locks installed back in the days and thanks for pointing that out. I need to find four matching lugs and replace them, because they look kinda ugly with them on. What do you think about the decals? Should I leave them on or replace them with these?

 

Hint on how to check if it is steel or aluminum, get a magnet out and try to stick it to the wheel. If it sticks it is steel and I dont believe you can polish it. But if it is aluminum they can polish just like any other aluminum part, check out this site, it is the one that I am referencing to to polish my stock 15'' firebird rims.Click here

As for the center caps, I think get a little further away pic of your car and photoshop it on. Then you can see for your self or see what other people think. I think that the Camaro emblem might look good, what was stock on there?

 

The Camaro emblem is stock, it's just I couldn't find any for a reasonable price. I picked up these 8 on e-bay because the seller listed them in the wrong place so I lucked out. 8 for $1 a piece, they usually sell for $15 a pop. I took off the locks, I am refinishing my trim rings, and I will post a pic of my newly finished stock rims asap. I will powder coat when I get it painted this summer.
Lawrence

 

why all this effort for a set of 14" rims?

 

Because I want to keep my car all stock, whats wrong with that???

 

I’m not sure that I see the point since you can’t really put a decent tire on them (I’m a big fan of 15’s and continually debate that vs fiding good tires), but even so…

Blast them clean with whatever the most aggressive stuff you have, scuff them with an abrasive pad/bend any chips… and fog them with some argent/silver wheel paint. Add some new generic trim rings (you should be able got cheap ones that are virtually the same) and if you’re really **** fog the center caps and the opening outlines with some semigloss black, and add some black aftermarket lug nuts or even some later style, 4th gen nuts and plastic caps (that vintage factory nut is nothing but a problem, when the sheetmetal cover comes off of them you’ll be stuck not being able to get them off)…

Alternatively, if that’s a bad example of what you have, you might be able to clean up the trim rings and center caps that you have with a buffing wheel and some compound (you’ll have to turn things down for the center caps, plastic polishes up well if you don’t get it warm while doing it)

I personally like the bowtie logo’s better, but if it was me I’d be putting something aftermarket or some factory 15x7’s on it anyway…

 

I guess I will take any free 15x7's or after market wheels that you are willing to give me because I am adamant on keeping my 82 as original as it was when it was purchased. I could use some free rims while mine are getting refinished. Please PM me, and I will give you my address where to send the free rims. Thanks a lot.
PS-How can I clean up the center caps when they are BRAND NEW??? I painted the trim rings today and I think they look nice, and the factory lug nuts with some fresh paint are easy to take off, I have done it many times. Thanks for your mostly negative, some positive input and have a wonderful week.
Lawrence

 

Hi Lawrence.
At least you've got a 'bird in your avatar

Actually, the plain aluminium bowtie in the cap looks great. Nothing wrong with wanting to keep your car factory stock. After all, you don't see many ORIGINAL Model T Fords for example, running 21 inch bling rims with spinners... Keep it factory or do what you like, it's your car.

Only a Pontiac owner here so what do I know? LOL

 

Thank you very much.

 

I am not a fan of 14 inch rims but since they are the rims to the car ard are the original ones. I think they should really nice when finished also I would put the camaro emblems on the center caps.
I say keep it as original as possible. I like the look of cars that every thing is original to the car.
I have the same style rim on my project car right now they where some ugly a$$ gold color I have to say they look nice flat black. I plan on refinishing them again because they are rims I use while I am out having fun smoking tires at the stop lights

 

If you like the factory look, run with it. Who cares how dirty the rim is when the question is on the centercaps? They look pretty nice, real different than anything i've seen. I'm going to powdercoat my stock slotted rims (90 firebird) black to match the car. I hate anything shiny/polished/chromed.

 

I agree with you 100%, if some of like the stock look, then we have every right to stick with it. Post a pic when you get yours refinished, and thanks.

 

Will do, it'll be a glorious day for me.

 

Let me know what you think now?

 

That looks great, how does it look with the overall appearance of the car?? Do you have any pics from further away, what did you do to clean everything up??
Nice job

 

Thank alot,
I found some brand new trim rings for $20 and free shipping, I applied the Camaro center caps that I got for $1 a piece, I cleaned the rims very good with steel wool and Simple Green, I taped them off, and I shot them with 3 coats of Rust-Oleum Professional High Performance Enamel. I also repainted the lug nuts and the black inserts on the rims and shot a clear coat on them. I was thinking about a clear coat on the rims but this paint seems really durable so I didn't. I will get pics on the car tomorrow because I ran out of daylight to get them all finished. Thanks again for the compliment.
Lawrence

 

looks great...Id keep the bowtie ones on if I were you because as when your driving ppl would still be able to decifer out that logo as opposed to trying to read camaro as your moving

 

That was my first inclination on the center cap emblems. I fathomed the idea about the center caps I made versus the original emblems. I thought about it, and I realized the center cap when viewed at a rate of speed of 60 MPH is just a blur. Now when parked the caps are highly visible and I suppose the OEM caps would be more attractive IMHO. Anyways when I removed the bowties I made, they tore because they were produced on my computer and they were a cheap decal. Thanks for the feedback.
Lawrence

 

N I C E !!!

 

Thank you, after all the bashing I initially reveived, this is the best compliment I have gotten.

 

gee wiz man! that turned out GREAT! now i just need some time to do my irocs(street tires) and my 15x7 z28's(drag tires) to get them to look half as good as yours!

p.s., i secretly want to find an early 2.5/4spd or 2.8/5spd thirdgen for my put-around-town daily driven car....i just happened upon a 5.0/5spd 88lx convertable rustang that i'd probably be willing to trade for a 4/6 cyl 5spd car.

 

Here are a few shots of the car.

 

Another shot.

 

clean camaro man... ...you gonna tint the windows what other plans you got for her
And you have any pics of your engine bay

 

Yes, I need to get to a tint shop soon. I replaced the glass and outer window sweeps 2 weeks ago so I have not had a chance to get them done yet. I am getting new paint this summer, and other than that I could use new carpet. The inside is really clean and complete, I have a set of 4th gen gun metal grey seats in there now and I am debating on keeping them in there or put the original ones back, they got reupholstered. I don’t have any pics of the engine bay because it's kind of dirty and is an iron duke so I never shot any, after I get it cleaned up I will.
Lawrence

 

Well like I said before ... the original camera angle made it look kinda bad too .... cleaning up more and polishing plus the new angle ... damn good ...

shows that 100 percent polished rims or chrome rims are not always the best and certainly not the only option

 

Hey 82knightrider,
Like I stated earlier my engine bay is by far not the cleanest, but here are a few shots of it.
Lawrence

 

Another