Firenza

[droopsnoot]

Anyone got any tips on cleaning these wheels without going down the road of blasting?

I had a bit of a go at blasting some at one point, but the centre coating is very tough, almost like a plasticised coat. I don't know if that's the same on all Avons - I certainly have had some that had been blasted all over. Minor imperfections can be sorted with a couple of decent coats of primer filler.

The rim should be polished, on mine I just used progressively finer wet and dry to get most of the scratches out, then finer polishing compound ending with Autosol chrome cleaner then wax.

[bodyworx]

looking good Phil,
and my aren't you the posh one with access to a ramp and all
Keep it up mate, you can make it!

[phil dawson]

Hi Droopsnoot, the rims seem to polish up okay. I used wire wool but it is the rest of the wheel that is the problem. Got some specialised stuff from my mate tonight so will give it a try soon. Will probably clean them up as best as I can and then put on a couple coats of primer before putting on a silver top coat and see how they look. Will post pics when done.

Andy: Thanks, my mate works in garage which is just a stones throw from my house. The car has been stored inside there for months now but is only the last few weeks that mate has had the time to get going with the welding...because I kept reminding him of how many weeks left till Louden!!!!! Reckons we can make it but going to be fine.

Phil.

[bodyworx]

Hope it all goes to plan Phil,
Ive not got my propshaft done yet, , so i might LITERALLY have to push it.
Also starting a new job next week, so time will be tight, but i'll get there,one way or another

[phil dawson]

Hi Andy,
Have you repairs to do to your propshaft or a replacement?
What you going to be doing Andy? Hope all goes well and see you at Louden.
My car should be in better shape by end of this weekend...fingers crossed anyway.
Phil.

[bodyworx]

Hi Andy,
Have you repairs to do to your propshaft or a replacement?
What you going to be doing Andy? Hope all goes well and see you at Louden.
My car should be in better shape by end of this weekend...fingers crossed anyway.
Phil.

Prop is away being hybrided (Opel Manta front and viva rear) and cut to size.
If I can get it MOT'd I'll drive it, otherwise its a a trailer job

I will definately be at Louden and hope all the Viva guys are ready for the "club challenge" ,still dont know what the tasks will be, but who cares its all in good fun

[phil dawson]

Hi Andy,

Just back from garage (via mates house for a few beers) and thats all the welding work done (I hope anyway!!!).
Back to it tomorrow morning (today, saturday) to get a few more bits done and then get car home to fit interior bits and touch up bits of paintwork etc etc before MOT.
Hope you get propshaft etc fixed and are able to drive to Louden next weekend. Are any of the others camping and do you know where as it would be good to meet up the day before?
Phil.

[rob knights]

Looking good, Noticed its got an AR registration mark, Know I am a sad old sod but AR was Hertfordshire, What garage supplied it new please if you have that information.

[phil dawson]

Thanks Rob,

Sorry, dont have the info regarding what garage supplied it.
Have got very little info on the car's history.

Phil.

[phil dawson]

Well, got the firenza back home today after finishing off some jobs at mates garage. Been a lovely day so was a pleasure working outside, painted engine bay with black hammerite then cleaned inside of car and started painting floor of car on the inside with silver hammerite. Also painted the new front panel. Plans for sunday is to finish painting inside then fit seats etc back in and then fit headlights, side lights, grille, bumper etc etc. Hopefully it will be another nice day and I can get cracking with all the jobs. Also booked for its MOT on wednesday so keeping fingers crossed.
Forgot to say also got new tyres onto Avon wheels and fitted them to car. Think it looks much better with these wheels on even though havent painted them yet