[alfa] Tire dilemma

[alfacybersite <acs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks, everyone for your input regarding your various opinions on white 
sidewalls on a '69 Alfa Spider.

I'd like to reply first to Rodney Leng. I do Not clear coat solid 
colors. I use only single-stage, high solids urethane. If I received a 
metallic car, then I would of course clear coat. I've painted dozens of 
wheels (silver) and of course clear coat them. You are correct color 
sanding is a bitch. I wait two weeks or more after painting before 
beginning the tedious process.

As long as we're discussing clear coat, it is not true one must use only 
two-stage (base / clear) red paint in CA. It was briefly true about five 
years ago.

I'm going to bundle up all of the on and off line emails I received 
regarding white sidewalls and send to the client.

I personally feel a company / individual who is trying to do high 
quality work has the right, in this case, what he considers to be 
appropriate for the car. Perhaps it is arrogant on my part, but feel the 
companies /  individuals who "give the client what they want" end up 
regretting it. That was General Motors mantra for years. Probably still is.

I have to admit the tire situation bothers me more than it should. The 
client commented on the very dark metallic gray on his wheels. I pointed 
to his metallic silver spare wheel and told him this is what all of the 
wheels should look like. Yesterday, after pushing the car out of the 
shop I viewed the car at a distance for the first time with fresh paint. 
With the dark gray the wheels / 70 profile tires look very heavy and 
clumsy. I feel / hope he will be much happier with the wheel situation 
once they are a nice bright silver.

I've decided if he insists on having whitewalls, I will remove the 
tires, save them, have the wheels sandblasted, paint, then install the 
old tires for no charge. I'll let him switch them out once he receives 
the car back.

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided