Riviera63 Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 I am writing this to bring attention to the fine work that the "Turbinator" does in reclaiming wayward turbine wheel covers from the scrap heap. Last spring I purchased a set of 4 turbine wheel covers for my 1963. One of the cover's condition was severely misrepresented by the seller and it was not able to be used on my car. I had a spare cover that I was able to get into the condition where I could use it in place of this bad cover. Rather than banish this cover to a shelf never to be seen again I decided to send it to my good friend Bob "Turbinator" Burnopp to see if he could work his magic to save this cover. You can see in the first 3 pictures an example of the poor condition it was in. It was severely pitted and stained. Truthfully, I did not hold out much hope of it being brought back to a condition where it could be used on my car. I was wrong. I received the cover back from Bob and was amazed at the transformation. I had to do some finishing sanding and polishing but, the heavy lifting and hard work was done by Bob. This cover will be going on my car in the spring when it comes out of hibernation. You can see from the rest of the pictures how nice it looks now. If you need turbines or have turbines that need reconditioning you can rest assured that Bob will do right by you. Thank you Bob! Bill 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 👍🛠️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 On 2/15/2024 at 8:24 AM, Riviera63 said: was severely pitted and stained. Bill, thank you for your compliments and support of my work. I appreciate your remarks. Thank you goes to the gents that gave the thumps up on the topic. I find there are many ways to do a job. Once we figure out how to achieve the desired result we can try to improve with new and better ways to get the shine we want. Im surprised how large the metal finishing industry is. Its amazing the information researchers, scientists, and engineers offer on how to achieve a metal finish you need for your application. Later Gator Turbinator current work in progress 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr914 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 I love my turbines! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XframeFX Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 1 minute ago, dr914 said: I love my turbines! I've had my Riviera for 43 years. It had wire hubcaps. I learned of Turbine Covers when I joined this Chat group around 2016. I also learned about the 1965 Riviera GS through this Chat. I seen Tirbine Covers for the 1st time last month on a project car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 (edited) Pat Curran guided me to Turbines 5-6 years ago. I was looking for something to replace my wire wheel covers on my 63. Since I found cleaning, TIG weld repair, polishing, painting, and powder coating quite interesting learning sessions. Surprise to me the number of articles written on metal finishing. I even found a “ Glossometer” that measures the shine reflection and indicates the grade of the shine. Amazing. Thanks again goes to another ROA in “the know”, Pat Curran, for showing another facet of the first gen Riviera. Later Gator Turbinator Edited February 26 by Turbinator (see edit history) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrlforfun Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 I have been collecting wire caps for a ridiculously long time. Swap meets, trading, trunks of old heaps, where ever. I clean 'em up and make beautiful matched sets. That said I never really had an opportunity to even find the Turbine caps. I have like 3 sets, 2 on cars. Bottom line? As much as loved the wire caps these things , when sparkling just make a 63 and 64 super-pop. I especially like the black painted 64 units. Mitch 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 On 3/6/2024 at 12:18 AM, lrlforfun said: especially like the black painted 64 units. Mitch Mitch, like this one? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 On 3/6/2024 at 12:18 AM, lrlforfun said: That said I never really had an opportunity to even find the Turbine caps Mitch, I sent this one and another like it for a more than fair price. I knew the gent wanted a very good job. I supplied original studs for a 6” wide wheel as youll notice these are 63 color config with original 63 studs. So, removed the 63 studs at no charge and inc. original studs for 6” wide wheels. The gent did not complain, but asked if I knew how to finish brighter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 On 2/16/2024 at 12:26 PM, XframeFX said: seen Tirbine Covers for the 1st time last month on a project car. I bet this was the car you spotted the Turbines? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 @Turbinator Have you ever had a customer request that the webs of his cast covers be painted body color? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 After I posted my last question, I remembered where I’d seen some and found a couple of pictures. Larry Daisy built this car. I think I know where is now, but I’m not sure so I’ll sit on it. As a complement to the car, he also built this trailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atencioee Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 16 hours ago, Turbinator said: Mitch, like this one? Beautiful!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abandg Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 Lou Adzima built the car trailer. He is in San Diego. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 Steve Lorenzen now owns Larry’s car and trailer. He’s going to do a comparison to see if Larry’s trailer and Lou’s trailer are different trailers. Lou’s build is documented. If you’re interested, Google “Lou Adzima Sun car and trailer.” Steve has build information from Larry’s wife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 Here’s the link for Lou’s Sun car and trailer https://www.fromtheranch.com/riviera/Trailer/Riviera-Trailer1.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr914 Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 those turbines are wall art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrlforfun Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 On 3/21/2024 at 2:45 AM, Turbinator said: Mitch, like this one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrlforfun Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 (edited) Bob: This is perhaps one of the all time top 10 Crown Jewels of GM wheel treatment. Mitch Edited March 23 by lrlforfun (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 16 hours ago, dr914 said: those turbines are wall art Yes Sir, wall art. In addition the Turbines are automotive industrial art you can drive. Gene Guarnere sold the first set of turbines I ever owned. I cleaned them up, polished and buffed and sold for a profit. ( had I factored in minimum wage I would have lost money ! Ha!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 9 hours ago, lrlforfun said: Bob: This is perhaps one of the all time top 10 Crown Jewels of GM wheel treatment. Mitch Mitch, agreed. The turbine and although a wheel cover my favorite. Turbinator 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 On 2/16/2024 at 11:26 AM, XframeFX said: I've had my Riviera for 43 years. It had wire hubcaps. I learned of Turbine Covers when I joined this Chat group around 2016. I also learned about the 1965 Riviera GS through this Chat. I seen Tirbine Covers for the 1st time last month on a project car. I bought my ‘63 in 1982. It was equipped with the Cast Aluminum (turbine) Wheel covers as delivered and supported by the original window sticker. I drove it that way for a while but got tired of looking at the big chunks that had been taken out of a couple of the covers by some tire jockey who thought they could be pried off like a typical wheel cover. In the mid 80s, I could not find any replacement cast covers so I put some rally wheels on the car. As time passed, I’ve collected a few more cast covers but since I retired the car many years ago, the cast covers are in boxes on the shelf and the car still has the rally wheels on it. Should I ever get around to restoring the ‘63, it will definitely have the Cast Aluminum covers on it along with period correct white sidewall tires. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrlforfun Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 Ed: I see your 63 is black with a white interior. I had a 63 with that color (in 1973) and it had Turbines. I think the 64 style on your unit with the black inserts all shined up like Bob does makes it REALLY pop !! I'm putting a set on my burgundy/white interior 64. Mitch 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Curran Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 I like the 1964 turbines the best. The black painted areas between the vanes really make the vanes stand out. I had them on my 1964 Diplomat Blue with white custom interior for the 24 years that I owned the car. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 My question is this. If my 64 is painted claret, how would it look to paint the webs of the cast 64 covers claret to match the body? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abandg Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 Ed, have Bob do one for you and see what you think. If you don't like it you can do it black. The best way to tell is to see it.Gene. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 Or, maybe someone on the forum who uses Photoshop can edit a picture of one for you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 I could clean up one of the extras that I have and paint it for a preview. Or if someone does photoshop well, that would be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDolphins Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 I work with photoshop everyday. I would be glad to change the color for you. Let me know. Larry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 44 minutes ago, LarryDolphins said: I work with photoshop everyday. I would be glad to change the color for you. Let me know. Larry What would you need from me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDolphins Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 I borrowed this image from the discussion and changed the color. Hope this helps some. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDolphins Posted March 25 Share Posted March 25 2 hours ago, RivNut said: What would you need from me? Send me a pic of your car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 We will have to wait on that. Right now I have a shell of a body on thr frame. Nothing that would work. Thanks, Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDolphins Posted March 26 Share Posted March 26 14 hours ago, RivNut said: We will have to wait on that. Right now I have a shell of a body on thr frame. Nothing that would work. Thanks, Ed Hey Ed, I know this isn't your car and wheels are distorted ( wrong perspective)but It gives you an idea of what it would like with the hub caps painted the color of your car. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 I’d like to add putting color on your turbines with paint advantage is coverage only has to be applied once. If you mess up, well ….. The advantage powder coating has is the finish is hard as steel. The disadvantage is the turbine should be outgassed to get the contaminants out of the metal. This outgass treatment adds a minimum of 4 hours per set. If the cast aluminum is not outgassed clean your powder coat finish screams “ Do over.” Matching the powder color of your vanes and webs with your car aged paint for some is impossible. Ive seen truly impressive powder coat chrome look just like polished aluminum. I might had eight coats of material in and out of the curing oven makes for a lot of work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 On 3/26/2024 at 10:11 AM, LarryDolphins said: Hey Ed, I know this isn't your car and wheels are distorted ( wrong perspective)but It gives you an idea of what it would like with the hub caps painted the color of your car. Larry, Thanks for doing this. Lets me know that this is not for me. Good work Takes some know how. Ed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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