[Z06] Polish Z06 wheels
Racer
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 346
Likes: 10
From: Easton MA
I'm like you, just can't warm up to Black wheels. Haven't seen any on any vehicle that I like.
I know of a vendor in the Chicago area that does the chrome exchange of factory wheels for I believe $898. They send you newly chromed and you return your old for cores. Like for Like. Seems like a pretty good deal! PM me if you want the info.
Does anyone know of anyone who does the same sort of thing only with polished wheels? I prefer the polished wheels to chrome personally. I would be interested in doing mine for spares, I have a set of MHT Chrome forged wheels coming tomorrow!!!
I know of a vendor in the Chicago area that does the chrome exchange of factory wheels for I believe $898. They send you newly chromed and you return your old for cores. Like for Like. Seems like a pretty good deal! PM me if you want the info.
Does anyone know of anyone who does the same sort of thing only with polished wheels? I prefer the polished wheels to chrome personally. I would be interested in doing mine for spares, I have a set of MHT Chrome forged wheels coming tomorrow!!!
http://www.slickcar.com/productdetai...ProductID=4036
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Try this place for plolished ZO6 wheels. No trade in but you can buy a set for under $800.00. I'm sure there not Speedlines.
http://www.slickcar.com/productdetai...ProductID=4036
http://www.slickcar.com/productdetai...ProductID=4036
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Eye Candy
Just so you know, I'd rather not do anybody's work, but I only offered if you can't find anyone else I might be able to help out.
These were silver painted ROH Snypers that went on an LS1 Camaro SS
Camaro/Trans Am throttle body
Custom billit aluminum valve covers polished like chrome.
Belt tensioner
The LS1 in my '02 Firehawk fully polished, this is before the twin turbos so it still had the painted headers. The work is 18 months old at this point with NO touchups.... notice how nice it stayed?
The project I'm working on now, my '01 Zo6 not quite done yet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park KS
Need to have the right side redone.... They charge around $180-$200 per wheel and have photos on their website of Z06 wheels they have done in different colors. Mine are 2002 Speedlines and there were no casting issues, the finish is perfect.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: New Baltimore Michigan
I changed the avatar, but here's some various pictures of my work, just a sample.
Just so you know, I'd rather not do anybody's work, but I only offered if you can't find anyone else I might be able to help out.
These were silver painted ROH Snypers that went on an LS1 Camaro SS
Camaro/Trans Am throttle body
Custom billit aluminum valve covers polished like chrome.
Belt tensioner
The LS1 in my '02 Firehawk fully polished, this is before the twin turbos so it still had the painted headers. The work is 18 months old at this point with NO touchups.... notice how nice it stayed?
The project I'm working on now, my '01 Zo6 not quite done yet.
Just so you know, I'd rather not do anybody's work, but I only offered if you can't find anyone else I might be able to help out.
These were silver painted ROH Snypers that went on an LS1 Camaro SS
Camaro/Trans Am throttle body
Custom billit aluminum valve covers polished like chrome.
Belt tensioner
The LS1 in my '02 Firehawk fully polished, this is before the twin turbos so it still had the painted headers. The work is 18 months old at this point with NO touchups.... notice how nice it stayed?
The project I'm working on now, my '01 Zo6 not quite done yet.
Steve
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
With the time that goes into it I'd starve if that was my income. Just a hobby I like and tinker with on the side.
I must admit that I do get a kick out of seeing people's reactions who are seeing it in person for the 1st time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: New Baltimore Michigan
HATS OFF TO YOU!!!!!!!, What do you do to protect it after you polish it.
man just looked at your pics again ,you do great work, alot of time to get every nook and cranny
Steve
Last edited by machz800ps; Jan 18, 2011 at 04:46 PM.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
I polished alot of stuff myself on my snowmobiles but small items and the tunnels , You have some patience thats for sure, and im sure the right toolsHATS OFF TO YOU!!!!!!!, What do you do to protect it after you polish it.
man just looked at your pics again ,you do great work, alot of time to get every nook and cranny
Steve
man just looked at your pics again ,you do great work, alot of time to get every nook and cranny
Steve
If you saw my materials you'd think I was lying if I told you that's all I used.
A drill and bit for jagged casting flash... gnaw it down.
Then TONS of sanding with 220/400/600/800 grit paper on a palm sander.
Tons of wet-sanding by hand
Cheap $99 buffing motor on a Christmas tree stand with a metal pole (angle iron was all they had) so the whole thing is dangerous really if you put too much pressure into the work.
Black emory rouge and then also have brown tripoli rouge for the other buff
Same drill with a drill arbor to attach a buff to.
Simichrome paste
And beer.
Here's a full tutorial on the valve cover project:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-and-beer.html
Last edited by ~Josh; Jan 18, 2011 at 05:30 PM.
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Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
I paint all my barrels flat black. It. Looks perfect whether clean or dirty and makes the faces stand out firmly.
On a zo6 wheel with the powdercoat already stripped I'd say it would be about 12 hours labor each.
I never coat the finished work. Never needed it. A smoother surface wipes clean and is easier to keep bright by hand if needed in time.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Oyen Alberta
Joshua......Your polishing is totaly awesome. I found a place in Surrey BC. Canada that will do the wheels for $200 ea. Shipping will be easier staying in Canada unless up live up here also. Thanks for the offer.
KCvetteowner.....Thanks for the tip to check out pantherwheels.ca. I phoned them and thay gave me a much more resonable quote than the more local shops. I like the polished Z06 wheel with the yellow paint on the sides of the spokes. I think I may go this way.
Thanks everyone else for the input.......Gord
KCvetteowner.....Thanks for the tip to check out pantherwheels.ca. I phoned them and thay gave me a much more resonable quote than the more local shops. I like the polished Z06 wheel with the yellow paint on the sides of the spokes. I think I may go this way.
Thanks everyone else for the input.......Gord
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Joshua......Your polishing is totaly awesome. I found a place in Surrey BC. Canada that will do the wheels for $200 ea. Shipping will be easier staying in Canada unless up live up here also. Thanks for the offer.
KCvetteowner.....Thanks for the tip to check out pantherwheels.ca. I phoned them and thay gave me a much more resonable quote than the more local shops. I like the polished Z06 wheel with the yellow paint on the sides of the spokes. I think I may go this way.
Thanks everyone else for the input.......Gord
KCvetteowner.....Thanks for the tip to check out pantherwheels.ca. I phoned them and thay gave me a much more resonable quote than the more local shops. I like the polished Z06 wheel with the yellow paint on the sides of the spokes. I think I may go this way.
Thanks everyone else for the input.......Gord
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Oyen Alberta
The wheel shop called yesterday,said my wheels are ready to ship. The bill was $851 Canadian to remove the powder coat, polish and paint yellow on the side of the spokes,and in the logo on center cap. They even had to straighten 3 wheels. I did not know there was a problem.Can't wait to see them. Should get them early next week.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 0
From: Pocatello Idaho
I bought a yellow 03 in November. The former owner had powder coated the wheels black. I was wondering if anyone has striped and polished their Z06 wheels? The black wheels do nothing for me. The car was a good deal , so I got it planning on getting new wheels or making the originals shiny. How much heavier are the aftermarket wheels?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
My 03 Z06 had a set of repros on it when I bought the car. They are ferrous because a magnet will stick to them and they are very heavy. I have the original Speedlines, I am in the process of packaging and shipping them to Cal Chrome to be done in Black Chrome. The cost is $860.00 including shipping. The 17" Speedlines are 24 lbs and the 18" are 26 lbs very lite for the diameter and width.
My Z16 pollished wheels are not very pollished after age and the previous owner put some sort of wheel cleaner or something that etched them. I also want to get them cleaned up and re-pollished w/ new Com. Center caps
S
Last edited by RedZMonte; Feb 12, 2011 at 11:42 AM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 525
Likes: 15
From: Mahopac New York
St: Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
When you post the pictures also post a critique on the quality of the job and the service and turnaround time, and try to be as critical as you can, I am also interested in maybe having this done.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Oyen Alberta
I got my wheels back. They were gone 2 weeks to the day. They look awesome, i can't see a thing wrong with them. They charged $175 to remove the powder coat and to polish and paint with clear coat. They found 3 wheels bent (which i did not know other than the excess weights) and charged $20 each to straighten. I'm impressed with them. the center caps were painted, slightly different shade than the polished aluminum, but its understandable. Here's the before and after pictures, if i added them right.
