Shop4Parts - UK's largest online superstore for FIAT and Alfa Romeo parts

General stripping paint from a plastic wheel cover ?

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General stripping paint from a plastic wheel cover ?

Think you'll find a bodyshop oven will be harmless. I don't know a shop that removes all the plastic from a vehicle before baking.

If you prepare the trims then you could ask them to be painted whilst they spray another job. It'll keep the cost down.
 
Very true sir,
I think one of the biggest problems after looking at the trims, is that the built in Fiat Badge in the centre of the wheel could no be refurbished easily if faded - so a newly painted trim may be let down by the logo.
I will though, try to clean off the paint as suggested above, and polish the logo section and see how it comes up.
My local dealer has full faciliteis for paint and could easily and cheaply paint and laquer them.
I have purchased an ew set, so the old ones can be used for practice and 'spares'
 
captainslarty said:
Good idea re blasting, but I tihnk the paint would cost more than the trims :eek: - plastic primer, metalic silver, laquer, then a complete new batch to repair the mess one makes of diy painting lol :rolleyes:

The UK parts place was a joke when it came to shipping to Portugal, they wanted 63 Euros !!! the postage was more than the bloody trims. !

Going to risk it and get 4 of these, they may well be the same as the uk ones (but look FAR better in the images - (the uk images look crap - but they almost certainly will be the same)
Also, total price delivered including everything 51 Euro.. so thats the plan...
http://www.wheeltrims.eu/wheel-trims-for-fiat/4-wheel-trims-for-fiat-panda-4.html

It would appear, by the comments, that some of you have as 'good' a time painting as I do :D

Also, they will match the new indicator side fittings in brightening up the Ferret (7 euro each - including bulbs :eek: (Fiat) ) as one fell off...
Also need new front and rear blue badges - I prefer blue to red, the red looks 'older' and Ferrets like Blue (he has got a red badge on his airbag though.... :rolleyes:

Just need some plastic nut covers now... :)

Ok, just ordered, painless..
Price (IN EURO !) - about 40 quid
4 Wheel trims for FIAT PANDA 13" € 39.95
Subtotal € 39.95
Shipping & Handling (Standard - Standard) € 11.00
Grand Total € 50.95

Paypal accepted, no worries, also direct transfer or card.
Click to expand...

Well, these arrived today, I am pretty sure the ones from the UK will be the same type / make (Smurf - I will give you the details of the lettering to compare - but sure they are the same) -
Report as to new trims - Absolutely excellent ! - I would say they are BETTER than the original trims. Beautiful finish, and the Fiat logo centres are also excellent... 10 out of 10 for these..
Definitely reccommended.(y) I would feel confident to buy ANY trims from wheeltrims.eu - excellent trims, excellent packing, rapid delivery (for Portugal )
 
I'm just back from picking mine up at the sorting office. Must say that I'm so disappointed with the ones from shop4parts. They are really cheap and the quality isn't that hot. They come stamped non-original product too. They don't have the tabs on the outside end to attach to the wheel rim either, so the chances of them lasting is slim. I think I'll be sending them back. I wish I had have ordered from Ricambi now. :(
 
Wee Smurf said:
I'm just back from picking mine up at the sorting office. Must say that I'm so disappointed with the ones from shop4parts. They are really cheap and the quality isn't that hot. They come stamped non-original product too. They don't have the tabs on the outside end to attach to the wheel rim either, so the chances of them lasting is slim. I think I'll be sending them back. I wish I had have ordered from Ricambi now. :(
Click to expand...

WOW ! - shock - I thought they would be the same ?
Are they made in italy ? Mine came all packed up in a box says Italian made. No reason to think not, they are very well made ..
They actually came from Italy as well. ! -
Not sure about the tab(s), didnt look, surely they are held on by the wheel nuts ? The ones I have are not going to flex - the fixing to the wheel nuts is ample as far as I can see Smurf. I honestly can see nothing of poor quality about these. even the paint finish and wheel centres are superb.
 
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If you haven't fitted yours yet, can you take a photo of both sides for me? I can't be bothered digging to get at my wheels tonight to set one on to see how they might sit. I'll do that later. I'm trying to sort everything out tonight so that I can have the time to put my feet up on Sunday (Mother's day / birthday ;)).
 
Wee Smurf said:
If you haven't fitted yours yet, can you take a photo of both sides for me? I can't be bothered digging to get at my wheels tonight to set one on to see how they might sit. I'll do that later. I'm trying to sort everything out tonight so that I can have the time to put my feet up on Sunday (Mother's day / birthday ;)).
Click to expand...
Sure, I will have to dig out the camera, but no worries. I can tell you that the only location for the trims are the wheel nuts, the cover outer part rests against and inside the metal rim , there are no tabs or wire as in a conventional trim where the wheel nuts are not used - ie, the ones held on with pressure against the rim.
Will try and get some shots later,
Meanwhile, what is the link to ricambi you were thinking of ?
Ricambi is simply Italian for 'Parts', there are thousands of ricambi's :)
Mine are also marked NOT original on the back, if you look at the link I posted, it also says NOT original - the reason for this is, I believe, the use of the fiat logo in the centre, and due to pressure from Fiat.
 
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Hi Smurf, ok, there are tabs (as can be seen in the pics of the ones on the car) on the originals, but not on the new ones, however, the originals are extremely flexible and need them !, the new ones are more rigid (still some flex - but much more solid than the originals) and I cannot see a need for them - the originasls I can bend out with my finger !.
I am sure yours are the same ? maybe not ?
Anyways, here are some pics, and no, I havent washed the ferret :( and I havent got my new Blue tailgate and front badges yet - sob sob..

ps, I only noticed the other day the windows are tinted, are they all tinted ? - I wear shades so hadnt noticed before..
Pics here.. - a bit cool today, only about 20c.. ;) - and a pic of the Ferret :D
 

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The new (imitation) trims probably make the most sense :)

For refurbishing originals, the best way is to get a bucket of warm soapy water and some 400 grit wetordry sandpaper, and just get on with it. Doesn't take long and provides a good surface for the paint to key onto.

Also for the record, one of the four wheelbolt holes is usually cut away - close inspection reveals which one, even when the bolts are fitted. It's perfectly safe (and much faster) to leave that bolt tight and take out the other three bolts while the car's weight is on that wheel - the weight rests not on the (one remaining) bolt, but instead on the wheel hub centre. As long as one bolt is tight, the wheel won't move and you can just unhook the wheel trim. Of course, you always want four bolts in before driving the car.

-Alex
 
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