A whole week..

[Steve1968LS2]

Ack!

I have an ENTIRE week to finish the exterior of my Fairlane.. paint the hood, add spoilers, paint rear panel, install tires/whees, replace vinyl top, etc..

We are shooting it for a cover on the 8th.. lol.. what am I.. Overhaulin?

Anyways, trying to find tires and I just can't find what I want..

Running 17x8 front and 17x9 rear rims. I wanted a taller sidewall but everything is a 40 series for the rear. The one Nitto tire I found with a 50 series rear, but it doesn't have the right size for the front. Would it be wrong to have non-matching tread patterns? I'm thinking yes..

Want:
245/45/17 front
275/50/17 rear

Could go as high as a 255 front and 285 rear and the sidewall has some flex as well, but I can't find anything. Oh, and it would be better to find Nitto or maybe Toyo tires since they advertise.

I should have gotten 18's but I was trying to "keep it real" and not make the 15-inch wheel crowd crazy.. lol.. plus Vintage Wheel works doesn't make these V60s in an 18-inch wheel.

Why can't companies just make what we need..

Also figured out it's easier to replace the vinyl top rather than dye it.. the dye/paint doesn't always stick and I was told white is hard to cover up...

[3kidsnotime]

You can get a falken in a 275/50/17 and 245 or 255/45/17 if thats the combo your looking for, There is a wholesale guy he goes by tires fast on ebay he is kinda local to you great prices if that matters if you want his # let me know I have it.

[Steve1968LS2]

You can get a falken in a 275/50/17 and 245 or 255/45/17 if thats the combo your looking for, There is a wholesale guy he goes by tires fast on ebay he is kinda local to you great prices if that matters if you want his # let me know I have it.

Hmmm.. Falken.. thanks, I will check them out..

which of thier models has a 275/50/17? I couldn't find that size at their site.. might of missed it though.

Gonna start stripping the hood tomorrow.. 5 whole work days to get it done.. :woot:

[3kidsnotime]

Not a bad tread if it fits the bill the 275/50/17 is 28 Dia

[Steve1968LS2]

Not a bad tread if it fits the bill the 275/50/17 is 28 Dia

Yea, thats the same prob I had with the Nitto NT450 tire.. good rear tire, but to big up front.. I really don't like when the treads don't match unless the rear is some sort of drag radial.

I'm gonna be a busy guy next week.

Oh, and tomorrow I am shooting Twin Sting in San Diego.. :willy:

[XcYZ]

Oh, and tomorrow I am shooting Twin Sting in San Diego.. :willy:

Cool. Tell Shaun we'd like some pics. :thumbsup:

[rwhite692]

...Also figured out it's easier to replace the vinyl top rather than dye it.. the dye/paint doesn't always stick and I was told white is hard to cover up...


I've seen several white-to-black conversions that have held up well and looked great...indestinguishable from original. Have done it myself with PPG's materials, and as long as the vinyl substrate itself is physically in good shape, and you do all of the prep properly with the recommended PPG materials (stripping the vinyl clean of all it's past years of exposure to vinyl top dressings/armor all/etc), and perform application as the tech sheet says, it works quite well.

I did not have a problem with color coverage or adhesion. If there is an adhesion problem, then the vinyl was not properly prepped.

Just my $.02 -Rob

[Steve1968LS2]

I've seen several white-to-black conversions that have held up well and looked great...indestinguishable from original. Have done it myself with PPG's materials, and as long as the vinyl substrate itself is physically in good shape, and you do all of the prep properly with the recommended PPG materials (stripping the vinyl clean of all it's past years of exposure to vinyl top dressings/armor all/etc), and perform application as the tech sheet says, it works quite well.

I did not have a problem with color coverage or adhesion. If there is an adhesion problem, then the vinyl was not properly prepped.

Just my $.02 -Rob

Hmmm.. thanks for the info..

My choices are pay to have it dyed.. $100-$200 or have it recovered for $200 since I can get the part for free..

It's just sprayed like paint..right? The white top is pretty new and still "soft"..

[rwhite692]

Hmmm.. thanks for the info..

My choices are pay to have it dyed.. $100-$200 or have it recovered for $200 since I can get the part for free..

It's just sprayed like paint..right? The white top is pretty new and still "soft"..

Yep, applies like paint. First coat needs to be a light "tie" coat, followed by two full coats, but not "full wet"...The tech sheet describes what to shoot for...I wouldn't try using anything other than a "traditional / old school" siphon feed gun.

But if the price is the same either way, then, heck, I'd just let them strip it off and re-do it. Getting that all done for $200 seems like a great deal. (When you say "get the part for free", you meen the new vinyl stock, I guess?)

It's obvious, but...Just be really careful with removal of all of that stainless steel trim...I'd think it would not be easy to find replacement pieces for that car...

-Rob

[Steve1968LS2]

Yep, applies like paint. First coat needs to be a light "tie" coat, followed by two full coats, but not "full wet"...The tech sheet describes what to shoot for...I wouldn't try using anything other than a "traditional / old school" siphon feed gun.

But if the price is the same either way, then, heck, I'd just let them strip it off and re-do it. Getting that all done for $200 seems like a great deal. (When you say "get the part for free", you meen the new vinyl stock, I guess?)

It's obvious, but...Just be really careful with removal of all of that stainless steel trim...I'd think it would not be easy to find replacement pieces for that car...

-Rob

You got that right.. although it's the same as a Torino. The top is fairly new, so I am hoping the means the trim clips are in good shape.

Yea, I meant the vinyl stock..

Hey Rob.. email me at [email protected] .. I might want to quote you in the story when I talk about dying/painting (which is it?) other tops..

[OLDFLM72]

For $200 I think a new black top would be the way to go...

And maybe a 27" tall wheel up front and a 28" in the rear...

How much were the rims in 17"... I would have liked 18s better...

And I'm in the 15" camp right now... but 18s will be on my Formula eventually.

Looking forward to pics!
V/R,
Ty

[Steve1968LS2]

For $200 I think a new black top would be the way to go...

And maybe a 27" tall wheel up front and a 28" in the rear...

How much were the rims in 17"... I would have liked 18s better...

And I'm in the 15" camp right now... but 18s will be on my Formula eventually.

Looking forward to pics!
V/R,
Ty

The didn't make them in 18 inch.. so moot point..

Would love a 27" tall tire.. I would just have to have non-matching tread patterns front to rear and that's not good..

Looks like Best of Show is going to save my arse and help me get the car done by next Friday.. I think I need to take them some beer..