help lads with minichamps focus rs

lads, anyone know how to safely remove/refit wheels on minichamps 1:18 focus rs? I don't think I've ever  removed wheels from any minichamps model, and this is a commissioned conversion, so trial and error ain't going to be good enough in this case....    
I cant see if the wee ford centre-cap hides a screw, or if they just pull off the hub...........the wheel and disc are one unit, the caliper and hub are fixed to other steering components...
any help appreciated, even if its with a different minichamps model....
cheers guys

The wheels are essentially glued onto the hubs. The problem is, they are virtually impossible to remove, if you are VERY lucky, remove the whole front & rear suspension units & pop them in a boiling hot cup of water to melt the glue, if this works it will then expose the hubs & discs & the screw that hold them on,


If you are changing your wheels to something completely different, then the only way is to use a 3mm drill & drill out the centre caps to expose the screw holding the wheel, hub & disc in one piece!

hi graham, many thanks m8, I hoped you would know!!
not actually changing the wheels m8, just painting them satin black as per the 1:1 car...... problem is his calipers are rs blue and the model comes with red ones....I suppose the only way to get at them is to remove the wheels.....so just to confirm then, the wee 'ford' centres do indeed hide a wee screw that could be got at? I could then milliput the centres and paint them black like the wheels?

cheers graham...   

ps graham, while I have you m8.......I need to convert the car to r/h/d..................... obviously a bit of a job    don't suppose there were any r/h/d ones produced?
thanks again for input m8   

i'm pretty sure theres no RHD ones avalible

Are you build a road car for an owner??

yep m8, personal one to match his 1:1 car......... a pressie   

Hi Billy hope these pics help ya

ah graham, brilliant m8, much appreciated!!! I 'll get the dremel out then!! these models are too dear to make a ba__ix of so wanted to be sure before I attack the centres,

cheers m8.....   

If you are worried Billy, do it by hand. (hmmmm )


This is one I did for a mate. Changed the silver/chrome for what it came out in Aust. The first shot shows a bit of the rear wheel after paint.
 

 

ah sweet work mal.............. a bit nervous with the amount its costing but hope it'll be ok.... ps any word from your decal supplier re the merc m8?
cheers    

bmd wrote: ps any word from your decal supplier re the merc m8?
cheers    

ahh crap. Was with him today and totally forgot. We were talking so much other shit, rallys, diecast etc   

lol!!!! at least you're honest m8!!    sure whenever suits m8 maybe you'd see what he can do?
cheers mal

ok graham, wheels/discs units removed from hubs, carefully over calipers, screw came away with wheels as i have to refit the originals........now painted the calipers proper colour and trying to squeeze the discs over/around them again to remount....a very tricky and precarious job.... back ones on no bother but the front ones.....well i've had to walk away for the evening, was getting too close to forcing them.....

meanwhile, here is the biggest challenge in this conversion......need to change this dash to r/h/d.... now i know i could ignore the difference but really want this to be a good job for the recipient.....there are several areas i think will be hard to swap over without ruining...


any hints, suggestions, advice or links to a suitable r/h/d dash gladly welcomed lads....     

Find a right hand dash m8. That will be a nightmare to convert   

aye i know m8....if i could find one i will believe me!!   

Know anyone with a 3d printer? Scan & flip & print

thanks dave, I've heard members talk of then but know nowt about them myself....think omer was looking into them....hhmmm might be a goer,   
anybody add anything/have one/know where I can get a wee job done?  

cheers m8   

Just turn it upside down. LHD RHD, who cares, get a life. As long as it looks mint on the outside, your not going to get in it and drive the stages.

Billy loves his blue ovals!

'get a life' ????        i'd take that from anyone except mr ' i'll do anything for an Andrews livery' chambers!!!!     

  

ah m8 I need it to be right, if you'd read the thread from the beginning you'd know why!!! its a commission for a pressie!! now stop you're slagging and get your thinking cap on!!!    

I read it and I don't know what a commissioned conversion is - does that mean someone is going to pay you for it? Good luck LOL!

Some people need to stop being so anal. No doubt you'll give it a good go, man of your talent Billy.   

lol!!! cheers m8 (i think!    ) yeah thats the plan m8, hope to make a decent job so the recipient is pleased with it....   

pleased to say the finished model was delivered yesterday............ the recipient was well-happy with it, thankfully...................  

Ah good stuff Billy. Any pictures? Nothing worse than spending ages on a model for someone then the fear that they wont like it

cheers brian, yep theres pix somewhere m8...must have a hoke lol!!

Nice one Billy, good result and another happy customer.