I painted some wheels (and have a question)

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori) 01/26/2018 at 10:40 • Filed to: The Alfa Doesn't Have A Tag Yet

7

15

I’ve never done that before. It went well! They are Cromodora Campanatura wheels, also known as “turbine” wheels, and they are probably the most unloved of the classic Alfa wheels. They are also one of my favorites.

I started by hitting them with two different wheel cleaners with vigorous brushing from a long, stiff (giggle) bristled brush. After rinsing they were treated to a power wash and then dried overnight. The next evening I hit them with two light coats of high temp primer, then two coats (one light, one heavy) of silver wheel paint, followed by two light coats of clear.

Overall I’m happy with the finish and effect. I do wish they were darker and more matte, but I imagine that will come with time and lack of cleaning. Worst case I hit them with some clear matte or translucent spray.

From factory, they would have been an almost-matte, almost-white but on my blackish car I wasn’t willing to go quite that bold.

Despite all this, I was also offered a set of super rare wheels, Cromodora Fergat, at a good price. I think I like them, and I like the idea of rarity, but I think I like the Campanaturas better?

What does Oppo think?

Also I guess I should say I also have the Hayashi Perriers that are already on it AND a set of scruffy but serviceable 924 wheels I bought before I found the Campanaturas.

So yeah... don’t really need four sets of wheels for one car. Especially when they’re all 14s.

Wow. That was a lot of nonsense about wheels. Doggo picture to compensate.

diplodicus > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 10:43

1

Gimme your dog.

SmugAardvark > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 11:04

2

I like the Campanaturas. Rarity is cool, but to me it doesn’t come before having something I genuinely prefer. If money isn’t an issue, I would buy the Fergats, clean them up, then resell at a profit (or just hang on to them if you want to wait and make sure).

Alternatively, you could keep both, put a set of all-season tires on one, and some stickier performance tires on the other. Then you just swap out according to the sort of driving you want to do.

MonkeePuzzle > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 11:09

8

A: your painted wheels came out great!

B: ignore the rarity or value of the other wheels, and pick the wheels you actually like the best. dont let other people determine the value or look of your car.

4 sets does seem excessive, but... wheels can MASSIVELY alter the look of a car. 4 sets is 4 looks, and FAR cheaper than 4 cars. If you have room to store them, and are willing to do the work to swap em out occasionally, I say 4 sets isn’t terrible.

CalzoneGolem > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 11:12

0

Personally I prefer the Cromodora Campanatura wheels. The Cromodora Fergat don’t appeal to me at all. Besides you’ve already put all the work into those turbines.

Ssfancyfresh > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 11:15

1

The end result on the refreshed wheels looks great!

I would treat the remaining sets the same and offer them for sale / trade.

vicali > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 11:33

1

A)Wheels turned out great, good job! They remind me of the 14" alpinas I bought and redid for my Mk2 Jetta..

B) Rare is nice, but I like the multi spoke more than the gas-burner style.

C) More wheels is more good.

D) Morning Doggo!

punkgoose17 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 11:35

1

I love the Cromodora Campanatura wheels. Your repaint looks great.

crowmolly > MonkeePuzzle 01/26/2018 at 11:42

3

This!

Noah - Now with more boost. > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 11:55

1

Those wheels are really interesting! I consider myself a wheel snob and I like the design a lot. It’s frustrating that certain enthusiast communities are so closed minded about less popular wheels. Looking at you vintage Porsche guys...

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Noah - Now with more boost. 01/26/2018 at 12:19

0

Yeah... I don’t pay wheels much mind as long as they’re factory. If you put non-factory on your car I get a little judgy. Also I hate that everyone seems to think the answer to “what wheels should I put on my classic” seems to always be “minilites or minilite replicas”.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 12:33

1

Ahh see I’m all about aftermarket wheels, as long as they’re period correct and “real” (no reps). There are so many unique designs out there that will make your car stand out, which is why I find the conformism so ridiculous. Its not like you have to try really hard to find something that would be more unique and interesting than minilites, Fuchs, torque thrusts, etc.

someassemblyrequired > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 12:44

1

Oh man, I would buy the Fergats because they are an awesome period wheel. That being said, the turbines are the wheel for a Spider. But on a GTV or Alfetta? Fergats. Fiat 124? Fergats.

Sovande > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 12:50

1

I don’t have any opinion on the wheel choice, but I would do a couple more coats of clear on the wheels. More clear will give the paint a bit more depth. When I painted wheels I did four coats of clear (over four coats of base color).

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > SmugAardvark 01/26/2018 at 14:31

1

It was a little temping, but the seller is the chapter president of the Alfa club and I think he is offering my a good deal on them because he thinks I’ll use them. It’d be a bit of a betrayal to flip them.

I will probably sell the Hayashis or the Porsche wheels and keep a spare set.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/26/2018 at 14:49

0

They turned out well! :D