Blasting rims at home (1 Viewer)

[xlx]

My local powder coater charges $30 per wheel to blast and coat whatever color you want

Did a great job on the rusty junkyard wheels for my Road Runner

Wow, That 69 1/2 six pack Road Runner is awesome. I had a 70 Challenger and a 70 Charger. The good ole days....

 

[thetoyotaman]

Well, I bought a cabinet blaster and started the 80 series rims. After the first wheel I bought a TP tools feed that has made everything so much better. I now have constant flow. I’m using glass beads and only running 30psi. I played around with it to dial in the pressure. According to my machinist running the lowest pressure that works will keep the glass beads from fracturing as easily and will last longer. Anyways very pleased with the setup.

Plan is to focus on the face of the rim, blast the inside face where it makes contact, the bead surfaces, and where the wheel weights go on. Not sure yet if I’ll bother with the rest.

Ordered graphite color wheel paint and self etching primer. Thinking about plasticoating the center caps black to sort of match the door moldings.

 

[thetoyotaman]

Comparison of rim section blasted and part not blasted.

 

[thetoyotaman]

Takes awhile to blast the rims but my daughter learned how to blast and loved it. Moving right along. Also plastidipped the center caps in black for a slight 2 tone like the side moldings.

Caps are done now. Pic is first dusting coat. Caps usually take a beating on the trail or tire shop so I thought plastidip might not be a bad idea.

 

[thetoyotaman]

Baking the caps some more in the sun today.

3 coats of primer on the rims.

 

[thetoyotaman]

1st dusting coat of graphite paint.

 

[thetoyotaman]

Second coat. Hard to see the difference from the picture but much darker than it appears.

 

[thetoyotaman]

Final look with and without center cap.

 

[thetoyotaman]

Thought I'd post a long term update. Paint has held up far better than expected and better than the first set I did. All I can really attribute that to is that I painted them on nearly a 100 degree day with no humidity. Even the plasti dip on the center caps has done well. All went well until I had the 80 aligned and the sensors they hang on the wheel made a polished line in the middle from the rubber donut. Haven't decided yet whether to just polish the rest of the rim or do another coat at some point but very pleased with the durability.

 

[Kernal]

Good to know the paint and Plastidip held up at 4+ years.