T180 Alloys

[Smiler AS]

There's a set of 18" T180 alloys come up for sale nearby.

Off with the bands, new tyres and refurb needed. I would love to replicate the dual finish of the T180 / SR180 alloy but think that would be too costly, so may have to be one finish, possibly a shadow chrome slightly darker finish to hide brake dust?

Do you think 18's on a non-flared wheel arch model would look okay?

[Hoovie]

Would look fine. And a shadow chrome effect would look smart as well :)

[Smiler AS]

I do like the idea of modding the car slightly but sticking with OEM(ish) parts.

TTE spoiler is at paint shop round the corner and hoping to fit OEM black roof rails with matching cross bars too when they come back in stock.

[Hoovie]

The wheels fitted to the T180, SR180 and original SR150 were all the same wheel, which were mostly painted, but the rim face was diamond cut, so showing bare alloy metal (so a silvery colour)

On the T180, that made it look like a single colour all over unless you looked closely, as the wheels where painted Silver.

I can't remember the SR180 colour,, but think it may have been same as the T180?

The original SR150 (from 2010 up to 2012) had the T180 18" wheels, but they were painted a light anthracite colour as well as having the diamond-cut rim face.

I know some preferred the T180 look, but personally I much preferred the SR150 look that I had on my RAV with the subtle two-tone effect

TBH, you are best off without trying to keep the diamond-cut effect as they ALWAYS corrode there and no refurbisher will ever give you a guarantee if they leave the metal bare (either diamond cut or polished).

What colour is your RAV? I liked the Black rails better on my white RAV, but the Chrome ones look great on the darker colours, especially if fitted with the sidesteps (BKs RAV is a perfect example of that combo)

[Big Kev]

There's a set of 18" T180 alloys come up for sale nearby.

Off with the bands, new tyres and refurb needed. I would love to replicate the dual finish of the T180 / SR180 alloy but think that would be too costly, so may have to be one finish, possibly a shadow chrome slightly darker finish to hide brake dust?

Do you think 18's on a non-flared wheel arch model would look okay?

If anything, the 18" wheels will make the car look better, as they may slightly detract from the normal big void left by the daft wee 17" wheels, which should ayeways have been 18's IMAO. I have in stock, for a fellow member Dan Saff, a set of 4 alloys from the 180 stable, what which Hoovie has applicated his "shadow chrome" workings. Would one like to view a foaty thereof.....?

Big Kev.....nae charge.....

[Smiler AS]

A wee sneaky peek at said wheels would grand.

The new Rav is silver Hoovie - looks good with black rails, seen a few pics and also why I would prob go for a slightly darker finish to the wheels too.

Yep, it's the SR150 finish I like but do take on board the bare metal polished finish v corroding.

Could a dual finish of shadow chrome on wheel then a high power silver finish to face be done?

[Big Kev]

A wee sneaky peek at said wheels would grand.

The new Rav is silver Hoovie - looks good with black rails, seen a few pics and also why I would prob go for a slightly darker finish to the wheels too.

Yep, it's the SR150 finish I like but do take on board the bare metal polished finish v corroding.

Manyana senor........

[Hoovie]

?...

Yep, it's the SR150 finish I like but do take on board the bare metal polished finish v corroding.

Could a dual finish of shadow chrome on wheel then a high power silver finish to face be done?

I have been speaking to the company who makes the specialist kit I use regarding a cost-effective and efficient way to replicate that two-tone factory-finish of painted wheels and diamond cut rim, but having paint on the rim instead of bare metal, as this combination is becoming more and more common on even mid-range cars, let alone the premium brands (as it happens my new Citroen has exactly the same wheel combo as the SR150 and I still think that is the best looking combo possible).

They have not yet found a way to do this, but I have a few ideas which I will be trying out to see what is doable.

Shadow chrome on the main wheel and power silver on the rim sounds interesting actually, and should actually be simpler then a combination of say Anthracite wheel and Silver Sparkle rim (bit like the SR150) as the top coat for shadow Chrome is the same as Power Silver.

..... I think I will have to give that a wee go in the next few days :)

[Big Kev]

Attached photos, with apologies to owner of these wheels for forgetting to ask his permission to publishise.......

[shcm]

Attached photos, with apologies to owner of these wheels for forgetting to ask his permission to publishise.......

I would expect that in this instance Kev, the owner would turn a blind eye to such as thing. After all, he or she is getting wheel storage for gratis, which is taking up valuable beer space. :) What do you mean you're not storing them in your fridge? They're winter tyres min! ;)

[Smiler AS]

Look good.

By the way, have a set of 20mm Eibach wheel spacers for a rav4.

I used them on the Giant but didn't suit the 5 door models I had thereafter.

Might suit a certain 3 door rav4 that's been pimped up a little?

[Smiler AS]

Ok, wheels and tyres bought for £200.

1. next stage is tyres and run flat bands off - is it only Toyota that will take them off or can any tyre fitter remove them?

2. Refurb, colour choice, stick with silver or go darker (thinks its a smoked chrome finish) like what's on at the moment? The darker is handy for brake dust.

3. Go all the same colour or get the 'diamond cut' areas finished in a silver against grey? Would it look good or too naff?

4. On with the vredestein wintracs, I hate the oem tyres on both the 17's and 18's.

[CharlieFarlie]

Personally I much prefer the wheels as they are.. The dark ones don't do it for me..

There is somewhere a list of general tyre dealers who have the equipment to remove but I would spend a couple of hours with an angle grinder. It really is a simple job to do.

I have had Wintracs on my car at the moment.. They have completed 30K miles so far and are tyre that was designed to run through summer as well ! I was going to put the summers back on but the car wasn't getting used so left them on.. They really just don't seem to wear out !My ones still have 5.5mill left on them and as we are closer to winter they can stay on.

[Hoovie]

I would go for the same Anthracite shade personally. Your existing wheels look good and just the right shade IMO. Any darker would look a bit too boy racer and spoil it, I reckon.

Go for two-tone and you will be upping the cost of the refurb a fair amount I would think :(

£200 for the 4 wheels is a good deal there, even needing a refurb :) (those centre caps on their own are over £35 EACH)

[Davrav]

I would go for the same Anthracite shade personally. Your existing wheels look good and just the right shade IMO. Any darker would look a bit too boy racer and spoil it, I reckon.

Go for two-tone and you will be upping the cost of the refurb a fair amount I would think :(

£200 for the 4 wheels is a good deal there, even needing a refurb :) (those centre caps on their own are over £35 EACH)

Anyone needing a set of centre caps? I have a set 'in stock' as Kev would say..............

[Big Kev]

I would go for the same Anthracite shade personally. Your existing wheels look good and just the right shade IMO. Any darker would look a bit too boy racer and spoil it, I reckon.

Go for two-tone and you will be upping the cost of the refurb a fair amount I would think :(

£200 for the 4 wheels is a good deal there, even needing a refurb :) (those centre caps on their own are over £35 EACH)

Anyone needing a set of centre caps? I have a set 'in stock' as Kev would say..............

If they fit wife's winter wheels, David, me innertested.....

[Davrav]

They're same as the ones in Smiler's photos Kev. Silver in colour. They won't fit those multi spokey Motorsport wheels though 'cos they just have a centre roundel.............

I can send a phoatie if need be.

[Big Kev]

Ah....richt David....comprehendicated.....lost interest.....LOL.

[Smiler AS]

Right, tyres off (well, 95% of them anyway, still tyre at rim edge - no idea what to do there!)

alloys debanded my method of grinder!

Off for refurb tomorrow, I'm going to go with an anthracite finish to match what I've got.

(1. Brake dust not so obvious and 2. Missus might not notice!)

New tyres on order too.

Weirdly, my winter setup will now be larger than my std rims and tyres.

[voyager t180]

I found getting the tyre band of the rim was the tricky part to.

You did right to leave it..the refurber should be able to do with the careful use of a pry bar and a dremmil type mini grinder.

[Gav rav]

My t180 alloys are 'rusting' on the diamond cut finish! Does anyone know if there are products out there to safely remove it?

[Hoovie]

My t180 alloys are 'rusting' on the diamond cut finish! Does anyone know if there are products out there to safely remove it?

Yup - I use an 80 grit abrasive disk :D

(all Diamond Cut Wheels start to corrode there. You see brand new cars at the dealer forecourt with corrosion, and the dealers can't do anything about it as they are stuck with cars having those kind of wheels :( - loose the diamond cut and have the entire wheel painted (or powdercoated) is the only long-term solution)

[Gav rav]

I'm tempted to try a alloy cleaner that removes corrosion first as cant afford to re paint them

[Big Kev]

Sealing them with good coat of wax will delay the effect for a while, but you are passing wind in a rainstorm......the wheel cancer has started and will progress. the wheel cleaner you are referring to must surely be of the acidic type......don't put oot fires with petrol, Gav min.......

Dok Kev.

[CharlieFarlie]

Use a good quality sealant like Jestseal 109 which may help prevent further damage Or like I have been using lately try Colinite wax.. Colinite is a very long lasting and very durable wax so IMHO it makes a fantastic wheel sealant .. I use nothing else during winter months and my wheels are bang on...

The only way to get rid of the corrosion once it starts is to repaint as Hoovie as said.. No point trying to flat or polish away what is already there but you can slow it down..

Again like Kev says Acidic wheel cleaner is a complete NO NO... It will remove wax or sealants and eat the surface of any wheels. There are many acid free wheel cleaners on the market but once you have prepared wheels to a decent standard all that is needed is a sponge over with shampoo when washing the car..