Long term project, bear wheels for my girlfriend
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Me Gusta History
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Long term project, bear wheels for my girlfriend
Well, this year marks the year my girlfriend graduates, so she will need to get a car to get her to her job, and then in a year, to get her to grad school, while i'm finishing up my major.
As a present, I grabbed a set of Ronal Teddy Bear wheels for her first car for a present. This means I have plenty of time to restore them.
I know these things have developed a cult following, so I figured you guys would love to see them now and when i'm finished.
This is her with her bear from when she was a baby:
The proud owner of 4 Teddy bear wheels:
Here's an up close shot so you can see the wear on them. The clear coat has yellowed (compared to the clean area around the bolt holes), and the plastic cover over the lugs has not yellowed but has been scratched, so I've got 4 different colors on the wheels:
A lot of old rubber wear around the rims:
First step: I ordered a set of replacement locks and a master key from Ronal USA:
Old wheel lock vs new wheel lock: a lot shinier and a different pattern:
So that's how they are now that I have them. They are actually in quite good shape, they are only lightly scratched, and the clear coat has yellowed. No curb rash or anything, so it shouldn't be too difficult.
I plan to strip the wheels, but after that, it's in the air.
I know i'll polish the machined lip and edge to a mirror finish. The inside is the question though. I'm deciding whether to paint it in the original silver color, contrasting lighter and darker silvers to accentuate the bear design, or paint the spokes silver and the bear itself brown like the bear she has. I guess I'll have to see how it looks as time goes on.
I'm planning on keeping a log on here of all the steps I use to restore this wheel including the sanding and painting, kind of a DIY guide/journal of the progress.
As a present, I grabbed a set of Ronal Teddy Bear wheels for her first car for a present. This means I have plenty of time to restore them.
I know these things have developed a cult following, so I figured you guys would love to see them now and when i'm finished.
This is her with her bear from when she was a baby:
The proud owner of 4 Teddy bear wheels:
Here's an up close shot so you can see the wear on them. The clear coat has yellowed (compared to the clean area around the bolt holes), and the plastic cover over the lugs has not yellowed but has been scratched, so I've got 4 different colors on the wheels:
A lot of old rubber wear around the rims:
First step: I ordered a set of replacement locks and a master key from Ronal USA:
Old wheel lock vs new wheel lock: a lot shinier and a different pattern:
So that's how they are now that I have them. They are actually in quite good shape, they are only lightly scratched, and the clear coat has yellowed. No curb rash or anything, so it shouldn't be too difficult.
I plan to strip the wheels, but after that, it's in the air.
I know i'll polish the machined lip and edge to a mirror finish. The inside is the question though. I'm deciding whether to paint it in the original silver color, contrasting lighter and darker silvers to accentuate the bear design, or paint the spokes silver and the bear itself brown like the bear she has. I guess I'll have to see how it looks as time goes on.
I'm planning on keeping a log on here of all the steps I use to restore this wheel including the sanding and painting, kind of a DIY guide/journal of the progress.
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From: bristol, tn, usa
Re: (reebs)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by reebs »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">real cute girlfriend</TD></TR></TABLE>u like boys quit lying
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From: The Palm, MI, USA
Re: (fventura03)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fventura03 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what car are these going on? </TD></TR></TABLE>
x2
x2
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Me Gusta History
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Re: (fventura03)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fventura03 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what car are these going on? i think you should keep them the original color.</TD></TR></TABLE>
It's up in the air, but it needs 4 doors. I'm thinking 96-2000 civic sedan, 2001-2005 sedan, or a Scion xA.
They're 14x6 with a +38 offset, and a 4x100 bolt pattern, that was the only size they made, so finding a car can be difficult.
The 6th gen sedan has more rounded body lines which works well with the wheels, but I don't know if it's as safe as a 7th gen sedan. Safety's a big concern with me. So is price, since this is the first time she'll start driving in the US so we need a cheaper car that we won't mind getting dinged up.
It's up in the air, but it needs 4 doors. I'm thinking 96-2000 civic sedan, 2001-2005 sedan, or a Scion xA.
They're 14x6 with a +38 offset, and a 4x100 bolt pattern, that was the only size they made, so finding a car can be difficult.
The 6th gen sedan has more rounded body lines which works well with the wheels, but I don't know if it's as safe as a 7th gen sedan. Safety's a big concern with me. So is price, since this is the first time she'll start driving in the US so we need a cheaper car that we won't mind getting dinged up.
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From: The Village Hidden in the Leaves: Seattle, WA
Re: (JDM Squad)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM Squad »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">clean that ish up and paint them different colors to look like gummy bears</TD></TR></TABLE>
hahaha. i like this idea. gummy bears FTW!
hahaha. i like this idea. gummy bears FTW!
That's what she said!
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From: Garbage Grove, CA
Re: (accordselux)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by accordselux »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...since this is the first time she'll start driving in the US...</TD></TR></TABLE>
you imported her?
you imported her?
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From: Queenz New Yawk
Re: (Dforce)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dforce »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
you imported her?</TD></TR></TABLE>
lol ah mann
you imported her?</TD></TR></TABLE>
lol ah mann
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From: DFW, Tx
Re: Long term project, bear wheels for my girlfriend (1sIck_EM1)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1sIck_EM1 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hahaha...cute girlfriend </TD></TR></TABLE>
x2
</TD></TR></TABLE>x2
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From: OC, CA, USA
Re: (Dforce)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dforce »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
you imported her?</TD></TR></TABLE>
shes JDM! very rare.
i think ive seen these on a bug befor.
Modified by JDM Squad at 9:56 PM 3/27/2007
you imported her?</TD></TR></TABLE>
shes JDM! very rare.
i think ive seen these on a bug befor.
Modified by JDM Squad at 9:56 PM 3/27/2007
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From: ATL WHAT, GA
Re: Long term project, bear wheels for my girlfriend (DA-nteg)
dont take offense to this please... my girls actual comment "if you ever bought me those I would throw up in my mouth" lmao. Good luck on the resto. I would like to see a pic of these on a car.