Custom Wheel Caps

[krysRAW = AROCA-Vic PR =]

So I've just had aftermarket rims fitted to my 156 and I think it would be real nice to have Alfa Romeo wheel caps to tie the wheels back to the car as such.

I believe the wheel caps come in standardisd sizies and I believe the wheel caps I would need for my new rims would need to be satin black with an outer measure measurement of 68mm with a 65mm inner measurement.



Even though the size required is available, I'm having a hard time finding somewhere on the interwebs that has custom Alfa Romeo badges in this size. The largest I've seen so far is between 50mm and 60mm.

Anyone have any idea on this? 

[bix]

65mm is the largest I can find here http://shop.alfisti.net/Fan-Articles/Stickers/Sticker-Diamond/Alfa-Romeo-Wheel-Sticker::3056.html

If you are handy with scanning, photoshop, and printing I reckon you could fabricate your own...

[Cool Jesus]

Your going to be hard pressed finding the size your looking for with after market (non oem) rims. The only option you would have, to keep that Alfa look, is buy a set of the 65mmm mentioned above and bond them to the after market caps. As it is you are only 1.5mm out around the edge, pfft who apart from yourself will know. Hopefully your current caps are colour coded to the rim and it won't be at all noticable.

Actually just noticed that the link above are for a set of stickers, don't do it! Get proper caps, modify as required, will look much better. Use a flexible bond agent such as sikaflex, body shops use it as a permanent fix all as it sticks and holds onto anything.

[Cool Jesus]

A quick search on fleabay came up with 60mm OEM caps for a 159? About $60 shipped. Alternatively if you want the stick on gel coat style as mentioned above, again fleabay has them for $20 a set shipped. No different to that above only more Alfa designs and this seller will make to order from 30 - 90mm. May give you more customized look if that's works better.

http://m.ebay.com.au/itm/141042122666?cmd=VIDESC

One last note, if you use the gel coat style and your cap has a convex curve, use a hair dryer to warm the gel so that you can push it on to conform and hold it down until cool and stuck on.
Just be mindful that you get what you pay for. With all the puffery in adverts, gel coats don't last. Having said that it's only $20, if it lasts for a couple of years you can then renew later. With the OEM caps you won't have this issue.

And just one more note just a personal opinion here. If you go the gel coat, don't go the coloured emblem, they never look right. Go for a customized or different style of Alfa logo to add that touch of flare to the new rims

[krysRAW = AROCA-Vic PR =]

Thanks for the tips guys.

I'm thinking the 159 OEM caps, but it would be about figuring how to retro fit them onto the 68mm wheel caps. Alternatively I could buy 4x Alfa Romeo Badges as they already come with the backing strips and I can always custom drill 2 holes in the wheel caps to retro fit the 2 fitting pins behind the badges. My only concerns would be that choosing the badge route is a little but more dear as the badges can be $30 to $40 each, as well as how water proof the backing solution would be behind the badges.

[Cool Jesus]

Go the 159 caps then. The rear is all plastic so just snap off the retaining clips, file/sand any rough edges underneath. Squirt a dab of sikaflex or similar strong silicone. Tape it down into position until bond has cured and your good to go.

[Paul Gulliver]

KrysRAW,

Just as a matter of interest where do you get the caps shown in your first post .

Gully

[krysRAW = AROCA-Vic PR =]

KrysRAW,

Just as a matter of interest where do you get the caps shown in your first post .

Gully

Hi Paul

Sorry for the late reply.

Here's the link:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/140988621566?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649