At 03:47 PM 5/4/99 -0400, james.f.kennedy@us.pwcglobal.com wrote:
>
>I was at the Britfest shindig this weekend in New Jersey, and was duly
>shamed by all the nice shiny triumphs there. Mine was the one with the
>crappy general body appearance (but no rust!). Questions:
>
>1. What's a good paint to use on the (silver) stamped steel wheels? I'm
>armed strictly with a brush or spray can trigger finger (no blaster, no
>spray gun), so would it pay to send them out?
The stamped wheels are not a real 'bright' silver like many of the locally
available spray aerosols. Try Eastwood http://www.eastwoodco.com/ ;
I thought they used to sell some kind of "english wheel silver" but I
couldn't find it on their site just now.
If you are interested in a really durable finish, go to an auto body supply
house and have them match the existing wheel color. Tell 'em you don't
want the paint to chip and they will provide hardener additives to mix into
the paint. I had my wheels clear-coated too for even more protection, but
that gives them a higher sheen than the factory provided.
As far as sending them out, FWIW I paid about $40 a wheel two years ago for
professional sandblasting and refinishing. It ain't cheap, but it'll last
longer than Krylon!
>
>2. Is it better to re-chrome bumpers, or just buy new ones? If re-chrome
>is the best option, anyone know any good shops?
As the owner of a rubber-bumpered Spit, I considered myself lucky to
refinish my bumpers for $32! <gloat>
Kevin McNiece, the fellow with the yellow '75(?) at Britfest, had found NOS
rear bumpers still available for around $250. (They looked a bit pitted to
me though.) His car was naked in front because he hadn't located any front
bumpers to his liking yet. I could put you in touch with Kevin if that's
the way you want to go.
Sorry I can't steer you towards any rechromers, (no experience) but I know
they ain't cheap!
>
> Cheers to the great Spitfires at
>Britfest!
Right On Brother! I you want additional info or want to stop by & see my
wheels up-close, email me off-list.
Atwell Haines
Succasunna, NJ USA
'79 Spitfire (which was the dark red one at Britfest, next to the eventual
1st-place winner, the BRG '78 with the wicker picnic basket strapped to its
luggage rack.)
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