76 - 82 alluminum wheels
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 35
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From: Victoria British Columbia
76 - 82 alluminum wheels
Is there any difference in the latter (80-82) wheels from the earlier(76-79) alluminum wheels other than the black paint around the hubcap and different hubcap styles? IE can you replace an eariler wheel with a late model one just by painting the center to match?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,461
Likes: 354
From: Madison Alabama
You'll have to look real close but there is a machined difference between the two wheels. I think the smooth surface was used in 80 - 82 and a machined finish (small grooves?) was used in the earlier years. I had a mis-matched wheel on my first '82 - was from a pre-80 car, tried to remove the black center paint but eventually bought another wheel to match.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,097
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From: Olive Branch MS
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by den(thevetteman)78
I know the early wheels can't be polished to a chrome like finish but the late one you can.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
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From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
Originally Posted by den(thevetteman)78
I know the early wheels can't be polished to a chrome like finish but the late one you can.
Yes they can!!! I do it all the time. You must first use paint stripper to remove the clear coat. Then buff them with a good aluminum compound using a 3" buffing wheel on a electric wheel.
They will come out like chrome but it takes about 1 to 2 hours per wheel.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 712
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From: caraquet N.B Canada
Originally Posted by Corvette ED
Yes they can!!! I do it all the time. You must first use paint stripper to remove the clear coat. Then buff them with a good aluminum compound using a 3" buffing wheel on a electric wheel.
They will come out like chrome but it takes about 1 to 2 hours per wheel.
They will come out like chrome but it takes about 1 to 2 hours per wheel.
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Bozeman MT
That is what I did yesterday! Took off the wheels from my 78 Pace Car. Used rubbing compound on a rag to get through the clear coat, when the compound and rag turned dark gray, I knew I was there. Finished polishing with Mothers, and they look great! I also sanded the inner black places, masked off from the front, and painted black from the back. Then finally, I re-did the red pinstripe. They look great. As mentioned earler, the whole thing took about 1 1/2 hours per wheel. Well worth it! 
-Kev
-Kev
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 40
From: Panama City Beach, Florida
I think they were first available in 1977, the original wheels were not clear coated and had a dull look from the factory. The wheels were seen and rumored to be available since 1973 but the first time I know of was 77.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
You have to look closely to detect it, but there are two distinct openings on these wheels. On some the openings are rectangular and on some they are trapezoidal, (spokes are pie shaped on some and straight on the others). If you mix them up, on the same side of the car it is very apparent so you need to compare them side by side before you buy a replacement. The backsides of the wheels have more differences based on who manufactured them for GM, but that shouldn't be a problem.
With enough elbow grease, any of these wheels can be polished to a "chrome-like" finish. And as I've said many times before (sorry about that) they're almost maintenance free. Not to mention the ease with which you can remove minor scratches and even curb marks.
Good luck,
GUSTO
With enough elbow grease, any of these wheels can be polished to a "chrome-like" finish. And as I've said many times before (sorry about that) they're almost maintenance free. Not to mention the ease with which you can remove minor scratches and even curb marks.
Good luck,
GUSTO
