Reviving Original Rims?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 359
Likes: 144
Reviving Original Rims?
When I got my 76, it came with new Cooper Cobras on new American Racing 5 spoke rims. They look spectacular. However, he also gave me the original rims in the boxes that the AR rims came in. I was in the shed last weekend and they look like they need some help. They are the brushed aluminum rims (like these : https://www.originalwheels.com/chevr...te1979rims.php ). Anyway, what can be done to spruce them up? With new rims and rubber on the car, probably not going to do much right away but I have the originals, wondered if there was someplace I could get them refurbished or what can be done to make them look good again?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 224
From: Pawleys Island, SC
Sometimes those aluminum wheels are replaced because they're bent. I'd get them checked before expending a lot of effort. The cost to straighten and refurb them would probably exceed the cost of a new set.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 359
Likes: 144
I've never even heard of a powerball, nor the blue majic polish, but have both coming. I wonder if the rims look ok if I can take them to be "tested" for balance? Can you take rims to a tire shop and have them checked?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
I don't know if the bare wheel would be heavy enough to make a spin balancer "register", but if nothing else, you could see if they run true.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
I like flitz polish paste and flitz ball or other ball..
mine are missing clear in most place...if some corrosion 800 grit wetsand to smooth aluminum and the polish fliz and ball.if clear paint on it treat like any other paint.
mine are missing clear in most place...if some corrosion 800 grit wetsand to smooth aluminum and the polish fliz and ball.if clear paint on it treat like any other paint.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I did my 79's wheels with a Mother's power ball and a lot of elbow grease. I used 0000 steel wool on some of the roughest parts of of them, by dipping the steel wool in mothers aluminum polish.