Thought id throw up how i did my Calais wheels. Easy step by step process. Got the basics off the main thread and done it logically. All Wet/Dry sandpaper - 180, 400 ( use 400 step wet ), 800, 1200, 1500, 2000 grit. Using all dry except 400. Used 3 steps - Sanding, Polishing, and final polishing ( soft ) Sanding After using the sander and by hand, the rims tend to get very dark colour as you go to finer grit. Make sure you get rid off all those mo fo lines machined from the factory. Especially in the 180 grit step. As well, with the outer part of the rim ( Lip ), sand it back with 180, 400 and 800 grit as you do it. For eg, if your sanding 180 on the rim, do 180 on the edge ( lip ) of the rim, makes it alot easier. Polishing Now is the time to start polishing, i used polishing block as well as the 'purple' branded metal polish. Using 'Trojan Polishing Rotary kit" from Bunnings. These have to be fitted to a normal power drill. Using the harder buffing wheel i used the block, with water, as well as the metal polish. After doing this step the wheel comes up like this. With those bloody black pigments. Spending most time on this step helps the final polishing step. Final Polishing ( soft ) Now on the last polishing step i used metal polish, using the softer buffing wheel in the kit, as well as a buffer ( still works fine with the drill buffer, if you dont have a large buffer ) Polish till its super shiny and they're done. As for the outer edge of the rim, i sanded it back using 180, 400, and finished it with 800 grit. Then just used the metal polish and the soft buffing wheel ( drill one ) to get in between the edge and it came up great. Finished product. Original compared to polished. Cheers Jackson If you have any questions just comment. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

well done mate, i achieved the same look doing it in a very similar process. your biggest downfall will be impatience and trying to rush the job well done again

Quote: Originally Posted by YBJLS4 [View Post] well done mate, i achieved the same look doing it in a very similar process. your biggest downfall will be impatience and trying to rush the job well done again So true man! Thats what i did and they didn't come out as good as they should be..still ok but not the best they could be.

Havent really rushed the job, done 2 over the past 2 months haha, slowely getting the set done.

Looks awesome

best way to clean off the baked on brake dust and scum off the rough surface inside the ventilation holes in the rim is to mix some hydrochloric acid with water and scrub with a tooth brush. Dont forget to rinse the whole rim with a garden hose after.

Cheers mate.

Nice how long did u spend on each rim ?

Just over a day each.All depends on how good you want them to look, the longer the better. ---------- Post added 24-09-12 at 15:04 ---------- On the car. Atlas Inserts as well, 215,60 tread. Is Genuine s2 Calais, but i liked chrome handles. So swapped them. ---------- Post added 24-09-12 at 15:04 ---------- Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Still prefer the machined look, is there a way to restore them back to the new look?

Think it looks tough with the flappers and the chrome handles

Very nice calais dude!! Good work too, pain of a job.

Thanks guys, preferred the chrome handles, off a VK. Even though they came on the earlier model Calais, ditched the black ones because the chromies look better. And BoyRacer, once you polish them you can go back, dont really understand your 'new look' approach ?? Guessing your talking about the standard machined look, best way to clean them is wax and grease remover, and a good wash with some soapy water...

Perfect example of why VLs are popular. Nice car.

Are they flappers or walls look like walls

Flappers. ( inserts )

looks good man. motivated me to polish mine up again. they are looking a bit neglected