To change, or not to change?

[GeneralDogsbody]

1 hour ago, retro said:

The people at work saying you ha e skateboard wheels need to get a life, they probably have back breaking 18/19" wheels with a rubber band for a tyre and will crack a wheel in a pot hole. 

 

I have a mk1 VRS on standard wheels and ride height with bilstein B4 dampers and I find the car uncomfortable to be honest. 

 

If you definitely want some VRS alloys though then I have a set of four in anthracite with kerbing and paint peeling you could buy.

 

I really like my standard wheels (as they're almost the same as the Fabia 'Concept' estate - just a smaller size) but they look a little lost in the arches (Even with spacers and a 35mm drop) As I've said before, I'd like to plasti-dip them, but I'm unsure if they'll turn out ok. I have a can of this:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastidip-Glossifier-Flexible-Plasti-Dip-Performix/dp/B0076M8TVM/ref=pd_cp_60_1/259-6304286-6735527?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=F2PJWJ099HEBSB9YEVZY

 

If I added it to this:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plasti-Dip-Plastic-Rubber-Paint/dp/B0114MFHHI/ref=pd_sim_60_8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=HS4D97JB0G2K6M964AXW

 

Would I get a true 'Gun metal' finish? How could I semi-repair the damage on them, before applying the plasti-dip? 

 

It's always in my mind that they're not VRS alloys (which I love) even though it'll stuff the ride up even more if I put them on. Coupled with wanting to wrap the bonnet (mainly to hide scratches and bad touch-ups) I fear the car will look ridiculous (tiny wheels, but 'Barried' out)

 

Edited 10 February, 2018 by GeneralDogsbody

[GeneralDogsbody]

Hiya, back again. I'm going to paint the standard wheels (after fixing the dings etc) but I'm still undecided on what colour to go for. I quite fancy gloss black (See mk2 estate picture) I have also seen a new Merc today, with a lovely set of alloys in a nice colour (What is it?) but was wondering if it would work with my car etc. I've thrown in a newer picture of my car for reference (and because it was clean!) 

 

What paint/primer would everyone suggest to use? I was going to filler in the dings (after 80 grit sandpaper) with normal car filler - would a metal-based one be more appropriate? 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Davids-ISOPON-Alloy-Wheel-Filler-250ml/201789878974?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649  

 

High build

 

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-body-repair/primer/halfords-high-build-primer-500ml

 

Or etch primer?

 

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-body-repair/primer/halfords-etch-primer-500ml 

 

Could I spray the wheels in the same colour as the car? It's black magic pearl, so would this be tricky with rattle cans? 

 

Cheers  

[sepulchrave]

I quite like it the way that it sits, but would personally go with anthracite if you're determined upon a change.

[JWvrs25]

If i were you i'd get a professional job done rather than doing it yourself. Im just saying because i did 2 attempts at painting mine and was never happy with them, wish id left as they were originally.I ended up with 4 slightly different colour/finished wheels for some reason although i was painting in cooler temperatures than i should have been.

I think darker colours tend to show up any imperfections, i agree that anthracite, maybe slightly darker than the merc wheels is the way to go

[GeneralDogsbody]

Thanks for the feedback. After seeing a few of the Bohemia estates around, I thought I'd try and make mine look a bit different......even though I'm now stuck with the standard wheels due to forking out for new tyres and the suspension work!  

 

As for the anthracite, what darker shade do you suggest? 

[valvedoctor46]

18 hours ago, GeneralDogsbody said:

Thanks for the feedback. After seeing a few of the Bohemia estates around, I thought I'd try and make mine look a bit different......even though I'm now stuck with the standard wheels due to forking out for new tyres and the suspension work!  

 

As for the anthracite, what darker shade do you suggest? 

I'd stick with silver. But if you do decide on a colour change i'd definitely use a specialist wheel refurb company.

[mrcrow]

On 2/22/2018 at 07:02, sepulchrave said:

I quite like it the way that it sits, but would personally go with anthracite if you're determined upon a change.

i agree with the idea that black is out

anthracite is macho..one could also moot graphite is ok

silver imho is a bit dated... and perhaps suit lighter colour models

i tried black trims on my ink blue golf...just to see...and went back to the silver ones...so that is why i would suggest black for your estate wont really make the wheels look "large"

 

the graphite wheel below is appealing to me

 

cheers

geof

 

[GeneralDogsbody]

Thanks again. Just had a dabble on Photoshop...... White, black, or slightly darker? (What shade would you call the darker alloys?) 

 

 

Edited 23 February, 2018 by GeneralDogsbody

[Brogeur]

.

[GeneralDogsbody]

Right, slight change of plans. I've been offered a set of 16 inch Mk1 Audi TT alloys for a good price (£50!) I was wondering if it would be worth selling my 15 inch alloys (with the new Avons) and my H&R Trak spacers as a package (might suit someone with a standard car on a budget) and then just stick the 16s on with no spacers etc? Would it look odd with the narrow rear track? 

 

The 16s will need new tyres - any suggestions on decent (cheaper!) 205/45/16s? 

 

The spacers are these: 

 

https://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/car-parts/skoda/fabia/hr-trak-15mm-30mm-per-axle-hubcentric-wheel-spacers-boltsfabia-6y-pcd-5100-centre-bore-571-bolt-thread-14x15

 

https://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/car-parts/skoda/fabia/hr-trak-10mm-20mm-per-axle-hubcentric-wheel-spacers-boltsfabia-6y-pcd-5100-centre-bore-571-bolt-thread-14x15

 

What sort of price could I get for everything? (I remember someone said around £100 for the alloys and tyres on their own) 

 

Many thanks, yet again and sorry for the all the questions! 

 

EDIT: My mate's just given me another idea for the standard wheels (other than gunmetal) GOLD! What do you think? Or does the gunmetal look better? 

 

Edited 25 February, 2018 by GeneralDogsbody

[retro]

Go for 205/50R16 they will be a lot cheaper and barely any rolling road difference.

[vindaloo]

Careful of the offset on the wheels. ET31 seems to be TT Mk1 offset on 16s. You may want to ditch the spacers.

 

Tyres.... 205/50 will likely ride a little smoother if the wheel/tyre combo fits and doesn't rub. IMO 205/45s are cheaper and more likely to fit.

[GeneralDogsbody]

Many, many thanks for all your help. I'll take on board the info about the different tyres options etc. I have been offered some 15 inch Audi A3 alloys, as a straight swap for mine. Has anyone ever fitted these wheels to a fabia? Many thanks 

[kevberlin]

Your original Skoda wheels look better than those Audi ones shown above (in my opinion of course).

 

Good luck with whatever you choose though.......I admire your enthusiasm.

[GeneralDogsbody]

Well, thanks to Kev and a few others, it looks like my standard alloys will be staying. Sadly, as I've managed in the last 24 hours to kerb the NSF wheel in the snow, some refurbishment will be needed. I don't know if I should plasti-dip the wheels on the car, or bite the bullet and buy a trolley jack and do them off the car with the correct paint.  (how about in Black Magic the same as the car?)  ...... Just realised it would also  have been better to add a poll to the thread...    

 

Edited 1 March, 2018 by GeneralDogsbody

[vindaloo]

Better off obtaining a spare wheel and swapping them out as you refurbish each. My own experience of "refurb" involved a flapper wheel and a tin of Smoothrite brushed on. But the originals on that car were kerbed to pieces and the lacquer was knackered anyway. There are some videos on Youtube that show how some can obtain superior results. You need the materials tools, time, skills and muscle-power to achieve proper results however.

 

J.

[GeneralDogsbody]

Cheers vinda. Thanks to my late Mum (who was awesome with a spray can - long story!) I'm half-decent with "rattlies" 

 

   

 

[GeneralDogsbody]

And my old Mk2 Golf that I brought back to life - sadly, now sold : (  

 

Looks like someone has beat me to it using the colour that I sprayed my Xbox in to do a set of wheels - Cossack Grey

 

What do you guys and girls think? (I know the car's is pants!)  

 

 

Edited 2 March, 2018 by GeneralDogsbody

[sepulchrave]

Oh my god, what is that disgusting little car, the colour of the wheels are the least of its problems!

[GeneralDogsbody]

12 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

Oh my god, what is that disgusting little car, the colour of the wheels are the least of its problems!

 

Ha! I thought you'd like that, Sep. Not your cup of tea?

 

Could the colour still pass as 'gunmetal' though? 

Edited 2 March, 2018 by GeneralDogsbody

[Breezy_Pete]

I miss my Mk2s.

 

[GeneralDogsbody]

6 minutes ago, Wino said:

I miss my Mk2s.

 

 

I hear ya, Wino. And as even mechanically inept as I am, I managed to do everything on that little Golf. Sold before I got to really use it, as my Wife didn't fancy it as a 2nd car for her to drive :(

Edited 2 March, 2018 by GeneralDogsbody

[sepulchrave]

Loved all my Mark 2's miss them still, don't miss the fuel economy of my 16V though, I used to get it down into the teens, bloody rapid with it mind...

Edited 2 March, 2018 by sepulchrave

[GeneralDogsbody]

39 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

Loved all my Mark 2's miss them still, don't miss the fuel economy of my 16V though, I used to get it down into the teens, bloody rapid with it mind...

 

The mk2s are ace. Sadly, my one was only a 1300 '4+e,' Last I heard, it had sailed through another MOT, with no problems - my Skoda on the other hand.......I blame the wife, it's all her fault! 

Edited 2 March, 2018 by GeneralDogsbody

[Breezy_Pete]

I had a 1.6 Driver which was easily the best car I've ever owned. Then a much less satisfactory 8-valve gti, which I should never have bought because it was too far gone rust-wise, but I did anyway. Fixed about a hundred things on it but then flogged it for next to nothing after my Polo came along via a workmate.