Stock wheels restoration, how to?

[Pertti K]

The headline pretty much says it all. I have two sets of stock wheels. Otherwise decent, but both painted gray afterwards. I'm planning to restore at least one set to the original look. A few questions:

1. How would you recommend to remove the paint? Nitromorse, soda blasting or what?
2. Is the surface ready for coating after that or does it need polishing or something?
3. What kind of coating would you use to have the original look and to maximize the lifetime? DIY stuff or do I need to have it done somewhere?
4. Are all SyTy wheels originally with the same surface treatment or are there differences? Clear coat? Red GMC letters or not? Mine is a 1993 Typhoon #1274.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. Is this area broken, I can only see 4 threads? Two of them are stickies.

 

[Norm]

Re: Stock wheels restoration, how to?

1- I used aircraft paint striper applied with a brush and I used a rag with gun wash to clean it/remove the waste

2 - Does the surface need to be machined due to wear from road dirt? If not just clean it really well, again I used gun wash for that.

3 - I purchased a wheel clear product in a spray bomb and it is holding up very well. Check out your auto body supple shop.

4 - yes, but as for center caps I think Syclones were in red and Typhoons are metal cast color.

 

[mattw]

Re: Stock wheels restoration, how to?

1- I used aircraft paint striper applied with a brush and I used a rag with gun wash to clean it/remove the waste

2 - Does the surface need to be machined due to wear from road dirt? If not just clean it really well, again I used gun wash for that.

3 - I purchased a wheel clear product in a spray bomb and it is holding up very well. Check out your auto body supple shop.

4 - yes, but as for center caps I think Syclones were in red and Typhoons are metal cast color.

Good info.. I'm going to give that a shot sometime over this winter...

 

[fauXGT]

Re: Stock wheels restoration, how to?

These wheels had seen better days when I got them. They were severely pitted through the very rough clear.
I went the do-it-yourself route.

Used Aircraft Aluminum paint stripper twice to get all clear off.
Used heavy scotchbrite wheels from Harbor Freight on air tool to feather out pits.
Took heavy scotchbrite pads on face and spun the wheel on front 2wd axle to simulate 'grain' look.
Masked and painted the inserts argent cladding color and caps lettering red.
Let dry for two weeks.
Polished outer lip.
Got Por-15 2-part clear and followed instructions to shoot from a gun. When using the prep cleaner, do not use in direct sunlight or windy day. If it dries before rinse, it will stain. I only kept it on for 4-5 of minutes, not 20 like the directions say.
Sprayed and let dry for a week.
Came back with 600 then 1500 then 3000 grit wet sanding.
Finished polishing out the lip.

It is a very tough finish
All in all, it took about 40 hours in time.

I also built a spinning platform to clear the wheels.

 

[nastety92]

Re: Stock wheels restoration, how to?

Those came out really nice Chip.

I remember when I did mine with the help of a few friends. We got them all polished up looking almost like chrome then I tried to have a body shop clear the wheels and they failed. After that I didn't have them cleared and they quickly went back to a dull luster.

If I were doing it again I would go back to the stock look and clear them.

Good luck,
Nick

 

[Mikeyd99]

Re: Stock wheels restoration, how to?

I just dropped mine off at the wheel/tire shop. I am getting them done for $500 cash. I will be picking them up in the next few days and I will post pics. I think for $500 its worth just dropping them somewhere.
My 02 cents

 

[ziembic]

Re: Stock wheels restoration, how to?

Trade them and cash to Sport Machines for perfection and quick turn around.

 

[Adam#0213]

Re: Stock wheels restoration, how to?

Trade them and cash to Sport Machines for perfection and quick turn around.

Yes!if you don't have the time to mess around with the rims