Clear coating wheels
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
Clear coating wheels
I finally broke down and bought a set of Torque Thrust wheels from American Racing and I'm not looking forward to keeping them polished. I'm thinking about clear coating them. Anyone have any suggestions on what product to use, or any other advice?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,919
Likes: 3,333
From: NYC NY
Some of the billet wheel companies offer "clear" powder coating as an option. I have only seen wheels from Budnik done this way. I have to admit if you didn't know the wheels were cleared you wouldn't realize it. It's just about invisable. Of course it was wasn't cheap. I want to say about $75.00 or more a wheel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Titusville Florida
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
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From: Thunder Bay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
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From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
I have used a lot of it! And yes - it is true. I have used it on wheels, rockers and polished aluminum intakes with 100% success. I did the diff in my 76 about 5 years ago, got to look it over this week when the car was up on a lift being inspected. Looks as good today as it did 5 years ago!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
So I ordered up some Nyalic to use on my new wheels. Now should I coat the wheels before I mount the tires, or should I mount the tires then coat the wheels. I'm worried about the effect mounting the tires will have on the coating, as well as the soap solution I use as a lubricant affecting the coating. Any advice?
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Le Mans Master
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Any mounting problems will more likely be due to the mounting equipment utilized and/or the tech using it. Suggest you go ahead and finish the wheels and then have the tires mounted only by a shop properly set up for and experienced with higher-end wheels. Maybe I've been lucky, but I've never had a truly professional shop with modern equipment screw up an expensive rim's finish, including wheels as wide as 14". YMMV
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
Any mounting problems will more likely be due to the mounting equipment utilized and/or the tech using it. Suggest you go ahead and finish the wheels and then have the tires mounted only by a shop properly set up for and experienced with higher-end wheels. Maybe I've been lucky, but I've never had a truly professional shop with modern equipment screw up an expensive rim's finish, including wheels as wide as 14". YMMV