How to refinish wheels
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
How to refinish wheels
Just bought my first Vette 86. I want to keep the car as original as possible but the factor wheels need to be refinished. Has anyone refinished their own wheel? Trying to restore them to original look without spending a fortune.
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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Drifting
Joined: May 2012
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From: Mechanicsburg PA
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Yes - there is a possibility. There are mobile wheel restoration outfits roaming around car dealerships reconditioning wheels.
My 93 had my OEM wheels peeling clearcoat off ... and leaving a dull appearance.
If you look close... here were the wheels before...
And after...
Was lucky - had no curb rashes or corrosion on the metal - the outfit had the wheels on a CNC machine - and cutting off the clearcoat... then polish, paint, and clearcoat the affected areas.
There was a local franchise in my area...http://kwicksilverusa.com/.
Total cost - $110/wheel
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,431
Likes: 1,203
From: Fredonia WI
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Here are a couple threads that might be useful
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...my-wheels.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...-corvette.html
There's one thread that had detailed, step-by-step pics, but of course I can't find it now
Good luck
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...my-wheels.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...-corvette.html
There's one thread that had detailed, step-by-step pics, but of course I can't find it now
Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I had my wheels refinished by somebody associated with America's Tire Store. A few years later the clear coat is flaking. There used to be a place locally that did fantastic work (can't remember the name), but the guy at America's Tire Store talked me into using their place. They did give me "loaner" wheels and tires while mine were being refinished.
I'm thinking I might go with powder coating next time.
I'm thinking I might go with powder coating next time.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Thanks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Here are a couple threads that might be useful
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...my-wheels.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...-corvette.html
There's one thread that had detailed, step-by-step pics, but of course I can't find it now
Good luck
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...my-wheels.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...-corvette.html
There's one thread that had detailed, step-by-step pics, but of course I can't find it now
Good luck
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 3
From: Granada Hills CA
I did not clear mine yet, I will see how much upkeep is necessary to keep them clean looking. Applying clear may happen if I feel the need.
Keep in mind that when you pay a shop to be refinish your rims they will return back wheels that should look close to perfect. The outer lip of my rims are still showing the signs of nearly 200k worth of miles, but as it is my DD I am satisfied with the results knowing that keeping professionally refinished wheels perfect with daily use would probably be impossible.
Good luck with yours!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
I left the tires on the rims. You brush on the stripper and it is very viscous so with care you can keep from getting it onto the tires. Luckily the faces of rims were not gouged or scratched so it was not necessary to use anything other than aluminum polish and a good quality wax on them.
I did not clear mine yet, I will see how much upkeep is necessary to keep them clean looking. Applying clear may happen if I feel the need.
Keep in mind that when you pay a shop to be refinish your rims they will return back wheels that should look close to perfect. The outer lip of my rims are still showing the signs of nearly 200k worth of miles, but as it is my DD I am satisfied with the results knowing that keeping professionally refinished wheels perfect with daily use would probably be impossible.
Good luck with yours!
I did not clear mine yet, I will see how much upkeep is necessary to keep them clean looking. Applying clear may happen if I feel the need.
Keep in mind that when you pay a shop to be refinish your rims they will return back wheels that should look close to perfect. The outer lip of my rims are still showing the signs of nearly 200k worth of miles, but as it is my DD I am satisfied with the results knowing that keeping professionally refinished wheels perfect with daily use would probably be impossible.
Good luck with yours!
Thanks Again.
