Refurbishing my wheels and brakes
#1
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![Cool](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/icon6.gif)
So, i've had my RX8 for nearly 3 weeks now and it's time to put my own stamp on it. The most obvious items were the wheels as the fronts expecially were looking a bit scruffy round the edges and I was looking at getting some after market rims but the stock alloys are so good, I decided to renovate them instead. Black wheels on a sunlight silver Rex look stunning so black it had to be but if i'm doing the wheels black, why not go the whole hig and do red brakes as well? ![Cool](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/cool.gif)
Wheels off then and time to inspect the brakes. I'm very lucky with my car, all the pads look recently changed,
![Name: P1020518_zpsb17a7116.jpg
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Allong with a new pair of front disks too, so no rust like the original ones,
![](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/simonmd/RX-8/P1020517_zpsf72dec3c.jpg)
The calipers have to be red of course, decided not to muck about removing them so lots of masking up,
![Name: P1020520_zpsa2edebfd.jpg
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![Name: P1020519_zpsa803986b.jpg
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With the rears, something had to be done about the typical rust around the hub so thought id try red around it and i'f I dont like the look, i can go over it with black or silver after. I've ordered some white 'RX8' stickers from the UK club shop to finish them off, hopefully be here in a few days,
![Name: P1020521_zpsd9ae1cec.jpg
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Had second thoughts about the red around the hub so decided to repaint it black, along with the disk guard and suspension links to smarten it all up,
![Name: P1020527_zps72c9ccac.jpg
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As the front disks have no rust on them, I just painted the caliper, disk guard and track rod. Pretty pleased with the result and looking forward to seeing them through the wheels, have to see if I can trim the couple of minor red marks off the pads though!
![Name: P1020526_zps6ef3177f.jpg
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In the mean time, the two offside wheels were given a good clean, then all the corrosion was taken off with a drill and wire brush attachment,
![Name: P1020515_zps22e64365.jpg
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Size: 68.7 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227704d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020515_zps22e64365.jpg)
Before sanding smooth, ready for primer and top coat,
![Name: P1020516_zps1d340f0e.jpg
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Size: 60.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227705d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020516_zps1d340f0e.jpg)
![Name: P1020524_zps4dfd9c3b.jpg
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![Name: P1020525_zps23c70fcb.jpg
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![](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/simonmd/RX-8/P1020529_zps29ea904c.jpg)
It wasn't all easy and staightforward though, wanted to put clear lacquer on to finish them off and it RUINED one of the wheels!!!
I included this pic as a warning to those wanting to do similar, you MUST ensure the lacquer is compatible with the basecoat or you will have a very bad day like I did!
![Name: P1020530_zpsc29b783a.jpg
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The finished result, the entire job will have cost about £80 / $120 and can be done in a weekend, especially if you have stands and are able to do all four wheels at once, which I dont!
![Name: P1020532_zps000ae843.jpg
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![Cool](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/cool.gif)
Wheels off then and time to inspect the brakes. I'm very lucky with my car, all the pads look recently changed,
![Name: P1020518_zpsb17a7116.jpg
Views: 126
Size: 112.3 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227698d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020518_zpsb17a7116.jpg)
Allong with a new pair of front disks too, so no rust like the original ones,
![](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/simonmd/RX-8/P1020517_zpsf72dec3c.jpg)
The calipers have to be red of course, decided not to muck about removing them so lots of masking up,
![Name: P1020520_zpsa2edebfd.jpg
Views: 95
Size: 69.6 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227699d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020520_zpsa2edebfd.jpg)
![Name: P1020519_zpsa803986b.jpg
Views: 112
Size: 93.6 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227700d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020519_zpsa803986b.jpg)
With the rears, something had to be done about the typical rust around the hub so thought id try red around it and i'f I dont like the look, i can go over it with black or silver after. I've ordered some white 'RX8' stickers from the UK club shop to finish them off, hopefully be here in a few days,
![Name: P1020521_zpsd9ae1cec.jpg
Views: 135
Size: 78.4 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227701d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020521_zpsd9ae1cec.jpg)
Had second thoughts about the red around the hub so decided to repaint it black, along with the disk guard and suspension links to smarten it all up,
![Name: P1020527_zps72c9ccac.jpg
Views: 103
Size: 61.3 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227702d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020527_zps72c9ccac.jpg)
As the front disks have no rust on them, I just painted the caliper, disk guard and track rod. Pretty pleased with the result and looking forward to seeing them through the wheels, have to see if I can trim the couple of minor red marks off the pads though!
![Name: P1020526_zps6ef3177f.jpg
Views: 118
Size: 55.7 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227703d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020526_zps6ef3177f.jpg)
In the mean time, the two offside wheels were given a good clean, then all the corrosion was taken off with a drill and wire brush attachment,
![Name: P1020515_zps22e64365.jpg
Views: 103
Size: 68.7 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227704d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020515_zps22e64365.jpg)
Before sanding smooth, ready for primer and top coat,
![Name: P1020516_zps1d340f0e.jpg
Views: 127
Size: 60.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227705d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020516_zps1d340f0e.jpg)
![Name: P1020524_zps4dfd9c3b.jpg
Views: 129
Size: 58.6 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227706d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020524_zps4dfd9c3b.jpg)
![Name: P1020525_zps23c70fcb.jpg
Views: 118
Size: 69.5 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227707d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020525_zps23c70fcb.jpg)
![](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b400/simonmd/RX-8/P1020529_zps29ea904c.jpg)
It wasn't all easy and staightforward though, wanted to put clear lacquer on to finish them off and it RUINED one of the wheels!!!
![Crying](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/crying.gif)
![Name: P1020530_zpsc29b783a.jpg
Views: 92
Size: 31.0 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227708d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020530_zpsc29b783a.jpg)
The finished result, the entire job will have cost about £80 / $120 and can be done in a weekend, especially if you have stands and are able to do all four wheels at once, which I dont!
![Name: P1020532_zps000ae843.jpg
Views: 74
Size: 41.1 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227709d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020532_zps000ae843.jpg)
![Name: P1020531_zps5e5d2aa5.jpg
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Size: 49.4 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227710d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020531_zps5e5d2aa5.jpg)
#5
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Yup, a UK car so has had to suffer a few winters with salty roads, now shes down in Spain, hopefully a thing of the past!
The wheel gap does look awfull in the last two pics because i'd just let it down off the jack and the suspension hadn't settled and the rear was still jacked up, couldn't move the car as the rear wheels are still off!
This is what it looks like normaly,
The wheel gap does look awfull in the last two pics because i'd just let it down off the jack and the suspension hadn't settled and the rear was still jacked up, couldn't move the car as the rear wheels are still off!
This is what it looks like normaly,
![Name: P1020486.jpg
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Size: 74.8 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227695d1501223003-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020486.jpg)
Last edited by simonmd; 02-16-2013 at 04:09 PM.
#7
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LOL, have you seen Spanish roads? The main roads are ok but go anywhere near a town and they really have a fetish for HUGE speedbumps. I'm afraid a drop is not an option out here!
#11
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I agree. Even the FD brakes were decent looking. Here you go....http://www.calipercovers.com/ LOL!!!! They don't even make them for the RX-8. Ha!
However you can get the "Brembo" for cheap.
However you can get the "Brembo" for cheap.
Last edited by altspace; 02-20-2013 at 06:37 AM.
#13
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Fake Brembo's = ghey. That thing looks like it could fly off quite easily.
My calipers are painted blue (how I got it from the previous owner). Last year I got a few high heat Mazda caliper decals. Basically I cleaned up the calipers with some rubbing alcohol and laid the decals down. They've lasted me a year so far and still hold great.
My calipers are painted blue (how I got it from the previous owner). Last year I got a few high heat Mazda caliper decals. Basically I cleaned up the calipers with some rubbing alcohol and laid the decals down. They've lasted me a year so far and still hold great.
Last edited by GK1707; 02-20-2013 at 07:30 AM.
#14
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Getting there, wheels now had first coat, should be able to do second and third tomorrow before finishing painting the suspension,
![Name: P1020534_zps8db97d7f.jpg
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![Name: P1020535_zpscebfa7b2.jpg
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Then i'll be able to use my car again!!
![Name: P1020534_zps8db97d7f.jpg
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Size: 67.0 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/227628d1501222872-refurbishing-my-wheels-brakes-p1020534_zps8db97d7f.jpg)
![Name: P1020535_zpscebfa7b2.jpg
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Then i'll be able to use my car again!!
#16
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Lol, I was wondering when someone would comment! I know what you mean but the parking space has a slight downhill grade towards the kerb, which the offside front wheel is firmly against as well as being chocked from behind and of course, the parking brake is also on the rear wheel so she's stable enough. No way would I go under a car supported like this though but as i'm working outside, it'll do for now.
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#24
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I dont plan to paint my center caps, I think the contrast looks good and works well on a silver car. It's an option for the future though but i'd still have a problem with spending the same amount a new rear spoiler would cost on 4 tiny things that most people wouldnt notice!
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