1982-83 Aluminum Alloy Wheels

[pintail]

Here's a little documentation on the wheels and center caps.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/Honda_Accord_1982_Alloy_Wheel_sm.jpg

1982 Honda dealer brochure (US) page 16

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/Honda_Accord_1982_Alloy_Wheel_CU.jpg

Closeup for more detail.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/Alloy_SM_3.jpg

The real thing.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/CC_Accord_Alloys_1982.jpg

Center cap - they're entirely plastic.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/CC_Accord_1982_Alloy_back_ID.jpg

Back view with inside dimension.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/CC_Accord_1982_Alloy_Back_OD.jpg

Back view with outside dimension.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/WheelSet2sm.jpg

Lots of work remaining on my set.

[pintail]

Additional photo of the Alloy rims from the 1983 Honda Accord accessory section of the 1983 dealer brochure.

The casting on the inside of the rim indicates they were:

"MFD. FOR AMERICAN HONDA MTR CO, INC" by "ROCKWELL INTL. WESTERN WHEEL DIV." Here's a link to the history of Rockwell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockwell_International). They built the Apollo capsule that went to the moon, the shuttle orbiter, and these rims.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/1983_Honda_Accord_CCsm.jpg

[pintail]

Wheel Progress

After cleaning the set of wheels to remove baked on brake dust and grime (the process took an incredible amount of time) , I used Autosol metal polish to polish the wheels. I also ended up polishing the backs since they are visible through the front cutouts. All the polished areas were taped with special tape (five hours/wheel - painful) leaving the exposed areas for my media blast shop. The abrasive used was selected for the aluminum alloy. The areas that were cleaned were painted black. This required re-taping(blue 3M tape).

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/Media_Blast_Front_Singl.jpg

Wheel returned after media blasting.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/Paint_Tape_Single2.jpg

Re-taped for painting

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/Paint_Black_Single.jpg

Inset painted - black like the 1982 dealer brochure

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/Paint_Polished_single.jpg

Finished wheels

[Dr_Snooz]

Wow! That came out awesome!

[Ichiban]

I see no pictures!

[Hazwan]

I see them all, and nice work!

[ryan427]

Those look unbelievably great. You should be proud. [emoji122]


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[pintail]

Center Cap option - new ones are a good alternative until originals are found. It's interesting that the new center caps are like the grille badge on the 1982 and newer. No circle framing the Honda "H"
.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/center_Caps/Center_Cap_Newinstalled.jpg

New Center Cap

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/center_Caps/Center_Cap_Oldinstalled.jpg

Original Center Cap

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/center_Caps/Center_Cap_New_Side_view.jpg

New Side View - shallower

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/center_Caps/Center_Cap_Old_Side_view.jpg

Original Side view

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/center_Caps/Center_caps.jpg

Note difference in depth

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/center_Caps/Grille_badge_sm%20copy.jpg

1982 Grille Badge framed with a regular trapezoid rather than circle. JDM/EDM(top) USDM(bottom). They are actually the same size. The difference is caused by the parallax from the camera. The USDM badge is wedge shaped from the side view. The USDM grille is angled more to accommodate the US headlights.

[ryan427]

If you really want the car to be correct, I wonder if those old caps can be media blasted and polished/painted. Much the same way you did the wheels. The new caps look great though... Either way, props Sir. Mad respect!


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[Hazwan]

I think its plastic/chrome coating is cracking/peeling off. Media blasting that would result in having a totally plastic surface

[ryan427]

I think its plastic/chrome coating is cracking/peeling off. Media blasting that would result in having a totally plastic surface

Ah gotcha. Thought they might be metal.


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[pintail]

Unfortunately, I only have two originals. The one in the photo is in the best condition. I've been working on drawing to see if I can duplicate the circular part with a 3D printer. My first try with that technology.

[Dr_Snooz]

Let us know how the 3D printing turns out. I'm really curious to see any results.

[pintail]

I finally had a chance to get the wheels on the car. Cool looking for 33 years old!

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/Alloy_Wheels/Driver_Fnt_Alloy_wheel2.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/Alloy_Wheels/Driver_Rear_Qtr.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/Alloy_Wheels/Driver_Rear_Qtr3.jpg

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1005847/Alloy_Wheels/PAssenger_Fnt_Alloy_Wheel2.jpg

[knifemind]

Those look excellent. Where did the new center caps come from? I have these same wheels and am curious

[ryan427]

Well done, you!


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[9D2CB7]

Awesome work! I have the same set on my 83 SE! What did the center caps come off of if you don't mine me asking? Im missing one! :(