How to: make 240sx SE rims look like 93+ rims

[JDM Factory]

I've tried to get a perfect set of 93+ rims without any big rash and dents in the rims. So I gave up and actually found a set of mint condition 240sx rims.

The fronts are 205/50/16.
The rears are 205/55/16.

They're not hard to find either. Today I got bored an decided to get rid of the Nissan sign off the center cap. And this is how I did it.

Supply:
Sand paper (40grit, 80 grit, and 400)
Primer filler 2k
Degrease remover
Paint (I chose aluminum)
Body filler
Fiberglass resin and cloth
Cheese grater
Dremel
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/58.jpg

Here is how it looks before it all started.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/59.jpg

And here is how it looks after all the work.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/60.jpg

First pry out all the center caps off the rims.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/61.jpg

Start grating the Nissan sign with the cheese grater.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/62.jpg

It should look like this after you get it all down.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/63.jpg

Grab your Dremel tool to cut the rectangular shape.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/64.jpg

It should look like this.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/65.jpg


Then take a piece of tape to mask the top side so that the fiberglass will hold it's shape.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/66.jpg

Then cut the shape of your fiberglass cloth to cover the empty space that you have cut off and then apply the fb resin to it.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/67.jpg

Wait about 10-15mins and it should be cured enough by now. Apply body filler to the front of center cap. I spread it across the whole center cap with a thick layer to fill in the whole as much as possible. Sand it down with a 40 grit till it's as leveled as possible.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/68.jpg

Then I applied another light coat to cover the deep scratches. Then sand it with 80 grit and 400 grit to make it smooth.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/69.jpg
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/70.jpg

After sanding clean the surface with a degrease remover or whatever you might have that will remove contaminates. Next step is to primer it, my first coat was lightly applied and then my 2nd coat was a lil heavier. But wait about 5 mins between each coat. Don't apply too much coat or you'll have a thick looking center cap.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/71.jpg

Let it sit for about 20mins and it should be dry by now. Then apply the paint you want on your center cap or the whole rim and your result should look like this.
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/72.jpg

Hope this helps,

[JDM Factory]

I painted the rims aluminum to match my engine : D
http://www.twobrutal.co.uk/forum/images/recovered/2008/09/73.jpg

[nik]

neat..:thumbsup:

[Paul Woods]

interesting coolant pipe routing :thumbsup: thats new.

[JDM Factory]

thanks Paul, thought it looked good this way. O yea a/c blows like 40F very cold : D

[TheGasMan]

Nice work, How many hours did it take you?

[JB]

Very nice! Also like that coolant run. Where did you get your blanking caps for the Vac connections?

[JDM Factory]

It only took me about 1-2hrs. The blank vacuum I got it from Oreilly or Autozone. Cost about 2-3 bucks.