The progress on Masami while I work on her at school.

**RALM** · 08-28-2012

Okay so hopefully once we get the project cars rolling in the shop I'll be able to get started. Anyways here's what it looks like now.

...... this one is upside down.... derp

Masami (Elegant Beauty)
1995 Pontiac Grand Prix SE w/aero package

**RALM** · 11-05-2012

**RALM** · 11-06-2012

**Nates94** · 11-17-2012

Here is what my rims looked liked last winter, before I started to polish the lips out.

This picture was taken after I applied some paint stripper to the wheel, to remove the clear coat. I also set myself up with a steel wire wheel and started hitting them quite hard. To remove years of oxidation.

^ At that point they were looking much better, but still didn't shine up as much as I needed them to. I started sanding them. Starting at like 240 and wet sanding them at 2000 to get them perfect.

After much sanding, this is what I had.

After hitting it with Mothers Aluminum polish I ended up with this.

The result was a mirror like finish. I did this last winter and so far they have held up great and still shine. It did take me a while to do this. This wasn't a quick job. Once you start removing the clear you must be committed. Leaving it with half peeled off clear isn't the best look.

I didn't put any clear back on, because I don't want to oxidize and peel again. I can easily polish out the aluminum again and again.

**Scottydoggs** · 11-17-2012

you need a buffing wheel for a drill, make short work of that lip.

lots of time and work, looks good, better then the before shot, by miles.

**Nates94** · 11-17-2012

I was able to use my drill on the lip. Much easier than by hand.

**Oxfire** · 11-18-2012

You absolutely merked that wheel brother! Looks awesome, love the progress, keep it up.

**RALM** · 11-18-2012

Well i'll find out how well the rims clean up hopefully tomorrow

**dsmuts** · 11-18-2012

I'm gonna say this as nicely as I can. Your car looks like **** right now. You are lucky that you get this stuff done for cheap/free since you're in school for it otherwise this thing is just asking for the junkyard. I'm sure it'll look good when it's done but right now it's beat. You might wanna get your drag radials up front looked at too

lol

**RALM** · 11-18-2012

Originally Posted by dsmuts

I'm gonna say this as nicely as I can. Your car looks like **** right now. You are lucky that you get this stuff done for cheap/free since you're in school for it otherwise this thing is just asking for the junkyard. I'm sure it'll look good when it's done but right now it's beat. You might wanna get your drag radials up front looked at too

lol

Lol was going to be putting new tires on shortly before the trans went out but then that went to hell. So soon as its done new tires and brakes. And trust me that thing is beat to hell and i'm not afraid to admit it. That's what happens when you get hung up on a sign... also when you go backwards through a fence because you let your brakes wear too far and the driver side front pad shoots out from under the car..... hence the new mirrors. Will have to show you the rotors from that... I keep one around as a reminder never to let my brakes wear that far ever again.

**RALM** · 11-21-2012

**Nates94** · 11-22-2012

Those rims were rough! They cleaned up somewhat.

**REDCRAPGP** · 11-22-2012

Cleaned up nice...what's your overall plan for them? Maybe color match the faces and polish the lip?

**RALM** · 11-23-2012

Well i'm still gonna sandblast them yet. As it stands i'm gonna paint the diamond spoke mesh black and polish the lip/paint it anodized red.

**RALM** · 11-23-2012

Originally Posted by Nates94

Those rims were rough! They cleaned up somewhat.

that's just with the aircraft

**RALM** · 11-26-2012

**L36 Killer** · 11-26-2012

Can't wait to see the finished car! I had a '95 just like yours. I wanted to do all the things that you are doing now, but never had the time or money OR skill!

**RALM** · 11-26-2012

Originally Posted by bayus2972

Can't wait to see the finished car! I had a '95 just like yours. I wanted to do all the things that you are doing now, but never had the time or money OR skill!

Well... its slowly chuggin, along.... a lot of work needs to be done on this thing but due to needing to keep cost down i'm doing the bare minimum right now. But everything you see here is the progress thus far. Thank you for checking it out!