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Old May 6, 2016 | 12:26 AM
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Default Soda blasted wheels

I bought 4 western wheels "cyclone II"

They were already soda blasted some time ago. Surface is raw aluminium and finnish is kinda dull.

I'd like to apply an aluminium cleaner in order to make them shine a little bit more, but nothing like polished surfaces, I like brushed aluminium finish with a little bit of shine.

Do you think that this cleaner fulfill my target?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/21863783?w...736631&veh=sem

Once finished I'd apply a topcoat or enamel. Matte or semigloss one.
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Old May 6, 2016 | 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by corvetero
I bought 4 western wheels "cyclone II"

They were already soda blasted some time ago. Surface is raw aluminium and finnish is kinda dull.

I'd like to apply an aluminium cleaner in order to make them shine a little bit more, but nothing like polished surfaces, I like brushed aluminium finish with a little bit of shine.

Do you think that this cleaner fulfill my target?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/21863783?w...736631&veh=sem

Once finished I'd apply a topcoat or enamel. Matte or semigloss one.
Howdy neighbor! You may get more responses to your question over in the Car Care section of the forum but...

I would suggest using this...

http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-al...-compound.html
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Old May 6, 2016 | 10:15 AM
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If you can find someone to stick them in a tumbler they will coming out looking like they were just cast and brand new with that look youre after.
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Old May 6, 2016 | 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Street Rat
Howdy neighbor! You may get more responses to your question over in the Car Care section of the forum but...

I would suggest using this...

http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-al...-compound.html
Howdy buddy.

Thanks for your reply.

BTW, is not that product to be applied on polished aluminim instead of raw aluminum?
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Old May 7, 2016 | 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by corvetero
Howdy buddy.

Thanks for your reply.

BTW, is not that product to be applied on polished aluminim instead of raw aluminum?
It says it produces a satin result. I think it would work fine. It is the first step for polished wheels yes. I would think that this would be all that you need. Plus some type of clear coat or sealant.
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Old May 7, 2016 | 10:34 AM
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I have the same wheels and they originally came 'rough cast', I found that it would take forever to get them to shine no matter what kind of polish I tried. I went to a company that repairs wheels and had them powder coat the area between the spokes and then put the wheels on a CNC machine.
Here's the before and after.



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Old May 7, 2016 | 11:02 AM
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Botton pic looks good restore wiht the black.

OP if you want the entire wheel unpainted looking perfect telling ya get them tumbled. Same with inakes, etc no product can duplicate the way it will look youll love it.
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Old May 8, 2016 | 12:53 AM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Botton pic looks good restore wiht the black.

OP if you want the entire wheel unpainted looking perfect telling ya get them tumbled. Same with inakes, etc no product can duplicate the way it will look youll love it.
I haven't heard of getting wheels or intakes tumbled before. Is the process what it sounds like? Is this a similar process for polishing stone? What type of place does this?
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Old May 8, 2016 | 03:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Peterbuilt
I have the same wheels and they originally came 'rough cast', I found that it would take forever to get them to shine no matter what kind of polish I tried. I went to a company that repairs wheels and had them powder coat the area between the spokes and then put the wheels on a CNC machine.
Here's the before and after.



Ohhh, I saw your car's pictures many times trying to figure out how would be the shiny look. Yours are quite nice right now, but the rough cast finish look very well also on this wheels.
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Old May 8, 2016 | 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by RockyL32
I haven't heard of getting wheels or intakes tumbled before. Is the process what it sounds like? Is this a similar process for polishing stone? What type of place does this?
Good question, I didn't know about that process before either.
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Old May 8, 2016 | 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by corvetero
Ohhh, I saw your car's pictures many times trying to figure out how would be the shiny look. Yours are quite nice right now, but the rough cast finish look very well also on this wheels.
All shiny with no black would look good!

Here's a picture from a week ago.


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Old May 8, 2016 | 07:19 PM
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Your Western Cyclones are just what I want for my 79. I had them on a 73 back in the late 70's.

After all winter restoring my 79 which is now ready for the road, my search for the Westerns starts. May I ask what is the wheel lug circle and what is the offset I am looking for on my 79

Thanks
8Valve

Last edited by 8valve; May 8, 2016 at 07:24 PM.
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Old May 9, 2016 | 07:55 AM
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Originally Posted by corvetero
I bought 4 western wheels "cyclone II"

They were already soda blasted some time ago. Surface is raw aluminium and finnish is kinda dull.

I'd like to apply an aluminium cleaner in order to make them shine a little bit more, but nothing like polished surfaces, I like brushed aluminium finish with a little bit of shine.

Do you think that this cleaner fulfill my target?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/21863783?w...736631&veh=sem

Once finished I'd apply a topcoat or enamel. Matte or semigloss one.
I had mine Powder coated "Black Chrome" holds up great easy to clean
Wes
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Old May 9, 2016 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by 8valve
Your Western Cyclones are just what I want for my 79. I had them on a 73 back in the late 70's.

After all winter restoring my 79 which is now ready for the road, my search for the Westerns starts. May I ask what is the wheel lug circle and what is the offset I am looking for on my 79

Thanks
8Valve
The backspace is 4".
The wheels are 15 X 8.5 and the circle diameter is 4.75.

If you go to this link you will find all the specifications for your year Corvette:
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html
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Old May 9, 2016 | 02:57 PM
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Peterbuilt;
Thanks for the information

8Valve

Originally Posted by Peterbuilt
The backspace is 4".
The wheels are 15 X 8.5 and the circle diameter is 4.75.

If you go to this link you will find all the specifications for your year Corvette:
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html
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Old May 10, 2016 | 12:13 AM
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Well, mines already done with paint. I went with Flt Soft Iron color for everything but the the spokes and external ring.

I just need to spray the enamel, I think that I'll use clear matte one, or clear semigloss (satin) one if so, since I don't like this kind of wheel very shiny.

Any recommendation for the enamel?

Last edited by corvetero; May 10, 2016 at 12:14 AM.
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