factory wheel refinish
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
factory wheel refinish
Just had my first Vette delivered. 1985. Aside from the paint which has to be redone, I noticed the wheels are in need of refinishing as well. Does anyone have any processes they can relay about removing what seems to be the old clear finish which has been peeling off the rims? Is it just a matter of repainting with clearcoat, or does the old finish need to be removed, and if so how?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
I've giving this subject some thought my-self. I'm going to look into this..
http://www.awrswheelrepair.com/sfv/index.php
Has anybody tried this service?
http://www.awrswheelrepair.com/sfv/index.php
Has anybody tried this service?
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 54
I used airplane stripper to remove the clear coat & then polished.
http://www.jefflilly.com/blog/2012/0...raft-stripper/
http://www.jefflilly.com/blog/2012/0...raft-stripper/
Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 542
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
I used airplane stripper to remove the clear coat & then polished.
http://www.jefflilly.com/blog/2012/0...raft-stripper/
http://www.jefflilly.com/blog/2012/0...raft-stripper/
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,413
Likes: 2,745
If your plan is to "polish" the '93 wheel I'd give more serious thought to it before you ever start. I doubt the '93 wheel with it's "machined" finish would do well with a polishing attempt. Never tried but I've seen attempts with a less "pronounced" machine finish not do well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,943
Likes: 14
From: Gurley (Keel Mtn, Sweet Home) Alabama
Don't know where you are located, but if near Huntsville, AL, contact Lucas at Wheel Fix It.
They do great alloy repairs/refinishing/repainting if such is the case. I'm sure you can negotiate for all four wheels.
You can check for their contact info but I believe their telephone is (256)852-9992.
They do great alloy repairs/refinishing/repainting if such is the case. I'm sure you can negotiate for all four wheels.
You can check for their contact info but I believe their telephone is (256)852-9992.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
If your plan is to "polish" the '93 wheel I'd give more serious thought to it before you ever start. I doubt the '93 wheel with it's "machined" finish would do well with a polishing attempt. Never tried but I've seen attempts with a less "pronounced" machine finish not do well.
Just after bead blasting when I owned them:
Here is what one looked like after being buffed out by an Australian shop:
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 542
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
I used airplane stripper to remove the clear coat & then polished.
http://www.jefflilly.com/blog/2012/0...raft-stripper/
http://www.jefflilly.com/blog/2012/0...raft-stripper/
If your plan is to "polish" the '93 wheel I'd give more serious thought to it before you ever start. I doubt the '93 wheel with it's "machined" finish would do well with a polishing attempt. Never tried but I've seen attempts with a less "pronounced" machine finish not do well.
I have 2 sets of sawblades, a 93 and another set with polished (and now dull) finish. I will get the machined 93 wheels done back to specs. I will try to get the polished ones to a super bright finish and see how they come out.
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 15
From: Mechanicsburg PA
Central PA Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
If your plan is to "polish" the '93 wheel I'd give more serious thought to it before you ever start. I doubt the '93 wheel with it's "machined" finish would do well with a polishing attempt. Never tried but I've seen attempts with a less "pronounced" machine finish not do well.
An outfit called kwicksilver does more than the minimal approach.
http://kwicksilverusa.com/
Had my peeling 93 sawblades recut - off a CNC machine - then polished, then recoated.
Slightly expensive - however leaves the surface gleaming both in the daylight - and nearly glowing in the moonlight.
Before...
After... (same wheel - a year later after refinishing and and 6,000 miles down the road).
Last edited by Bandit's C4; Apr 27, 2013 at 06:24 PM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 671
Likes: 10
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
how'd they do that?
Hey Bandit how did they refinish your wheels? Looks great!
I have a 93 vert. The clear was peeling off the rim and kinda dirty but the blade paint was pretty good.
I took 80 grit and sanded the clear off the rim then worked my way through 120, 220, 400, 600 and 1000 grit.
They turned out pretty good. My hands were cramping up for WEEKS after that
I have a 93 vert. The clear was peeling off the rim and kinda dirty but the blade paint was pretty good.
I took 80 grit and sanded the clear off the rim then worked my way through 120, 220, 400, 600 and 1000 grit.
They turned out pretty good. My hands were cramping up for WEEKS after that
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I have done a few sets. The aircraft stripper works pretty well to remove the clear coat.
However if the clear coat was peeling there is a good chance that the aluminum is corroded. If it is corroded then that has to be buffed/polished/machined to make a good surface again.
On the '93-'96 wheels the finish is originally a machined finish that will be difficult to polish out without changing it to a polished surface. With care you can polish it enough to bring back some shine without completely trashing the machined appearance, but they will only be "driver" quality not a completely restored show finish. They won't be perfect like Bandit's C4. Those look great.
Good luck.
My "driver" quality '94 wheels are below.
However if the clear coat was peeling there is a good chance that the aluminum is corroded. If it is corroded then that has to be buffed/polished/machined to make a good surface again.
On the '93-'96 wheels the finish is originally a machined finish that will be difficult to polish out without changing it to a polished surface. With care you can polish it enough to bring back some shine without completely trashing the machined appearance, but they will only be "driver" quality not a completely restored show finish. They won't be perfect like Bandit's C4. Those look great.
Good luck.
My "driver" quality '94 wheels are below.
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 15
From: Mechanicsburg PA
Central PA Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Hey Bandit how did they refinish your wheels? Looks great!
I have a 93 vert. The clear was peeling off the rim and kinda dirty but the blade paint was pretty good.
I took 80 grit and sanded the clear off the rim then worked my way through 120, 220, 400, 600 and 1000 grit.
They turned out pretty good. My hands were cramping up for WEEKS after that
I have a 93 vert. The clear was peeling off the rim and kinda dirty but the blade paint was pretty good.
I took 80 grit and sanded the clear off the rim then worked my way through 120, 220, 400, 600 and 1000 grit.
They turned out pretty good. My hands were cramping up for WEEKS after that
It cut off the coating and milled/polished before reapplying clearcoat.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
There are several wheel refinishers. They usually weld the major nicks and "curb rash" and then turn the wheels in a lathe or similar machine to smooth and finish the surface.
In my case the refinished wheels didn't come close to matching the finish on the center caps, so they look strange. Also the clear coat is now peeling off. I was talked into a "bargain" refinish by the tire store instead of going with the quality refinish I originally wanted.
Unfortunately the quality refinisher is now out of business so I'm investigating alternatives. The current plan is to refinish them myself and coat them with POR 15 GLISTEN PC.
In my case the refinished wheels didn't come close to matching the finish on the center caps, so they look strange. Also the clear coat is now peeling off. I was talked into a "bargain" refinish by the tire store instead of going with the quality refinish I originally wanted.
Unfortunately the quality refinisher is now out of business so I'm investigating alternatives. The current plan is to refinish them myself and coat them with POR 15 GLISTEN PC.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 226
Likes: 8
From: Hiram GA
I recently decided to re-finish my '95 sawblades which aren't really in that bad of shape, except for a few peeling areas. Does anyone know of a reputable company in the Atlanta
area? Or if I decide to try to do them myself, which method would likely result in a better final finish, using the airplane stripper and then the buffer, or the progressive sanding method. I'm not afraid of doing one wheel at a time, perhaps over a weeks time, but don't want to risk getting the stripper on other parts of my car if I decide to be lazy and not take the wheels off when working on one.
Any helpful advice on how to simply improve the look of my wheels without trying to make them look showroom new would be appreciated.
area? Or if I decide to try to do them myself, which method would likely result in a better final finish, using the airplane stripper and then the buffer, or the progressive sanding method. I'm not afraid of doing one wheel at a time, perhaps over a weeks time, but don't want to risk getting the stripper on other parts of my car if I decide to be lazy and not take the wheels off when working on one.
Any helpful advice on how to simply improve the look of my wheels without trying to make them look showroom new would be appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,413
Likes: 2,745
You DO NOT want to attempt any of the chemical stripping with the wheels "on the car" or even close to the car!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 765
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 131
Likes: 6
From: Claxton GA
I refinished a set of BMW style 5 wheels using the paint stripper sanding method. I used Jasco paint & epoxy stripper found at lowes or home depot. A quart is plenty to do all 4 wheels. Wear gloves and safety glasses and dont be "lazy" and leave the wheels on the car. That's just idiotic. The stripper will help remove the clear coat. After that, it's up to you as to what type of finish you're after. The machined finish will take some work to remove with a sander but it's possible. Just take your time.
As I bought them
Jasco working
Sanding
Polishing (80, 150, 320, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 grit then polish)
As I bought them
Jasco working
Sanding
Polishing (80, 150, 320, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 grit then polish)
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 43
From: shavertown Pa.
The last time I had a wheel refinished it cost me about $125 there is a company in Bath Pa that refinishes your own wheels, if you don't want to do a wheel exchange.
They did a great job on my 88 wheels. http://www.wheelcollision.com/
Here is a price list of services offered http://www.wheelcollision.com/wccsvcs.html
They did a great job on my 88 wheels. http://www.wheelcollision.com/
Here is a price list of services offered http://www.wheelcollision.com/wccsvcs.html