Restoring Flat Five wheels

[martinhnilsson]

I'm restoring the fat fives that was on the car when I bought it to their original glory. They were corroded and ugly but not badly scratched or damaged.

They have been stripped and sanded and it is now time to polish.

Does anyone know what they were originally painted on the inside? Mine were a light gray or possibly off-white.

Anyone else restored their fat fives? Need some inspiration:)

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[alien_brain]

moar pix!

[martinhnilsson]

Another before picture

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[martinhnilsson]

Stripped and wirebrushed


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[martinhnilsson]

After a first polish


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[Steelerhater37]

Holy Toledo Batman!


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[JLCampbell]

Holy Toledo Batman!

I'll second that!

[tropheusman]

How did you polish them up so well? I have fat fives that are in similar shape and I'd be interested in knowing your process to attempt it on my own.

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[martinhnilsson]

How did you polish them up so well? I have fat fives that are in similar shape and I'd be interested in knowing your process to attempt it on my own.

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I did it like this:

1. Wire brushed everything down to bare aluminium (paint stripper had no effect on the very hard clear coat)
2. Sanded with power drill mounted flap wheel, grit 120, 240, 320, 400, 600. Used a 20 mm diameter flap wheel for the tight corners and holes.
3. Polished with a large power drill mounted cotton polishing disc and Autosol Metal Polish. Have gone over with polish 2 times and will do a few more passes.

Wire brushing and sanding has taken many days but is worth it.

To do: Finish polishing, paint inside, apply clear coat.

[tropheusman]

I am going to attempt this. Thank you for the info.

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[martinhnilsson]

I am going to attempt this. Thank you for the info.

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Go for it:) and let us know how it turns out.

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[Audiudo]

Nice work man!

[DreamInRotary]

These will look so much better than the corroded/brake dust look they all get when they age. Nice job!

[Grainreaper]

I have a question for the rabble, I love the look of these flat 5s and was wondering if anyone knows if they will clear the rediculous giant factory calipers on my 2000 A6 2.7t.
I see them on Craigs list all the time but have no idea if they would fit.

[martinhnilsson]

Are they hp2 calipers? That's what's on my 4.2 and they fit. I actually fitted 16 inch during winter...

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[Grainreaper]

Yes, the jumbo HP2 calipers, such a PITA to fit rims to. I see a set of four 17” wide 5 wheels with 8/32”tread snow tires for $400, those would fit? Are there different versions of these or are they the same

[martinhnilsson]

There are two different models: fat fives and flat fives. I'm not actually sure which ones mine are but perhaps someone could clarify?
Mine are 17 inch and fit fine over the hp2.

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[JediJoker7169]

There are two different models: fat fives and flat fives. I'm not actually sure which ones mine are but perhaps someone could clarify?

Yours are 4.2 A6 Fat Fives, which were originally unpainted. The 18" Flat Fives were original equipment on some A8s and were painted.

[martinhnilsson]

Thanks:)

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[Grainreaper]

So the 17” A6 wheels and the 18” A8 wheels will clear my calipers ok? So the only ones that won’t fit are the MK1 TT wheels because they were 5x100 pattern correct?