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Old 07-09-2008, 06:59 PM   #1 (permalink)
cfg83
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,864

1999 Saturn SW2 - '99 Saturn SW2 Wagon
Team Saturn
90 day: 40.49 mpg (US)
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Alloy wheels + Metallic Tape = Aero Racing Disk

Hello -

Because I have alloys, snap-on racing disk wheel-covers are not an option for me. Here is my current OEM alloys :



Notice that the wheel has a very flat profile, the holes are "cut" into an already flat disk.

While wandering around the Pep-Boys for ideas, I noticed this :



This gave me an idea. I cut patterns over my wheel, cut the tape using the patterns, cleaned the wheel with rubbing alcohol, and stuck it on my wheel :



Benefits :

- 100% Reversible. Just peel it off.

- Since it's an alloy wheel, paint damage is a non-issue.

Problems :

- Easy to damage. I have to warn whoever is working on it because they could accidentally ruin it.

- Too shiny for my wheels. But I found this kind in the meantime :



It is also better because it is wider.

- Not appropriate for all alloys. I think alloys that are very "flat" like mine are best. I think the tape needs to be applied to flat surfaces in order to be able to "span the gaps". Also, the gaps should not be too big. If the flat part of the alloy is too thin, I think the tape won't hold on very well.

- The exposed back part of the tape is still sticky. But, I am not too worried about that because I figure brake dust will coat it soon enough.

I only did one wheel to see if it would hold up and/or peel. No problems for the last 3 weeks.

CarloSW2

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