Another Wheel Refinishing Thought--Clearcoat? (1 Viewer)

[Lugboot]

I have mismatched wheels right now due to my highway incident back in February . . . https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=134699

Four are painted flat black and one is brand spanky new. Well, I was curious to see what the old black wheel would look like if it was sandblasted--the original thought was to try to get the four black wheels to match the new one. Well, that won't work. But, take a look at the pic--the sandblasted wheel has a cool matte look to it and I'm wondering if I can just clearcoat it with something durable. The thought is to sandblast all five wheels and then clear coat them.

Anyone ever try to do this?

It's kind of a shame to sandblast a brand new wheel, but I'm striking out in finding a set of wheels to match it.

 

[dogcatch'n]

Go for it, I think it looks good...You might be onto something here.

How about keeping us updated [w/ pics] on the final product.

 

[e9999]

yup, very nice looking IMO.

Put plenty of clearcoat on there so it stays that way...

you can also paint them all. I'd try silver.

 

[lagwagon]

Or clear powdercoat?

 

[Lugboot]

I didn't know they made clear powdercoat. I'll have to call the local powdercoating place. Last time I checked on a color, they wanted $50 a wheel to blast, clean and coat.

 

[toylndcrusr]

Ilike the look of the blasted wheel. I wonder if clearcoat with make it glossy.

 

[Brian Macgyver]

Original wheels are painted and machined and then coated with a hi-qual clear urethane or something. If you can find an equivalent clear there is no reason that you couldn't do the same over a blasted wheel with similar quality. Let us know how you do. I like the blasted look.

 

[Walking Eagle]

Ilike the look of the blasted wheel. I wonder if clearcoat with make it glossy.

you can get clear coats that are glossy, satin, or flat.

 

[Lugboot]

I definitely want to keep the matte appearance after the clearcoating, so I'll have to research what will work the best... no glossier than satin, I would think.

I'll see what I can do locally and post up results when it's all finished.

Too many people have black wheels now . . . so blase. Gotta find a different look!

 

[80 Cruiser Rod]

Original wheels are painted and machined and then coated with a hi-qual clear urethane or something. If you can find an equivalent clear there is no reason that you couldn't do the same over a blasted wheel with similar quality. Let us know how you do. I like the blasted look.

I think the wheels are lathed on the outside painted silver between the spokes and then clear coated. At least that is what I was told by Brian at the Wheel Warehous in Ohio. I had to replace one of my rims, the refirbished one they sent me looked absolutely great.

 

[Lugboot]

Update--starting process

Okay--removed all the wheels from the cruiser last night--taking them to get the tires dismounted today. Here's a before pic of the one new wheel and one black painted wheel. Going to sandblast them tomorrow so I'll post up more pics after.

 

[FlatlandTRD]

So are they being sand blasted or bead blasted? Will you be spraying the clear or clear powder coating? Really like that matte look.

 

[alaskacruiser]

the sandblasted look is something else!

 

[missourisingletrackr]

interested in your pix when you get them!!
may try it myself
dano

 

[EricE]

I really like the idea of sand blasting them. Mine have marks that I cannot scrub off and this would return them to a nice set of 4 matching rims. I don't know much about sand blasting, is it absolutely nessasary to dismount the wheels to do it? Isn't it just a wand that you can aim where you like so you could avoid the tire if you tried?

 

[Lugboot]

So are they being sand blasted or bead blasted? Will you be spraying the clear or clear powder coating? Really like that matte look.

Will be sandblasting and then powdercoating them with clear powdercoat if it comes out the way I hope.

I really like the idea of sand blasting them. Mine have marks that I cannot scrub off and this would return them to a nice set of 4 matching rims. I don't know much about sand blasting, is it absolutely nessasary to dismount the wheels to do it? Isn't it just a wand that you can aim where you like so you could avoid the tire if you tried?

Since I plan to powdercoat, I have to remove the tires because the entire rim will be powdercoated and baked. I'll check if removing the tires is necessary if you would plan to just spray a clearcoat. Not sure on that one. My buddy has the sandblaster and is helping me out.

 

[photogod]

I like the look of the blasted wheels! Really cleans them up nice. Satin looks good!

I got tired of the silver inserts and did away with them. Wire Brushed, painted and clear coated.

 

[Lugboot]

Had some fun with the sandblaster last night--blasted all 5 wheels to check appearance prior to deciding on powdercoat color. They are pretty uniform so I think I'm going with a satin or matte clear powdercoat. They're going to powdercoating today.

Oh--to answer a previous question about having to remove tires to sandblast--after doing it, I would say definitely dismount the tires. That sand is under some serious pressure.

First pic--the new wheel ready to go into the booth. Kinda sad to do this one. BTW--the grey windows are painted pretty tough.
Second pic--wheel post-blasting
Third--close up of a couple blasted wheels.

 

[FlatlandTRD]

Any updates? Were you able to get them powder coated?

 

[Lugboot]

The test wheel might be done today to see how the clear looks over bare metal. I'm going to call the place this afternoon if I don't hear from them by then.