My Les Schwab Sand-Blast / Powder Coat experience

[Mikesta]

Had some folks inquire if I had old Land Cruiser tires. I hadn't been in the tire pile for about 3 years so didn't really know. To my surprise I had 6 Stock welded rims and 1 tabbed rim. They all had tires on them and didn't look rashed. A quick search on Mud showed me that Les Schwab blasts and coats them for around $25.

That's pretty amazing! So I loaded up 3 of my 4 kids (they know LS has popcorn) and the tires and headed over.

I chose Flat Black - They had a bunch of colors (Gloss, silver, silver flake, yellow... red etc etc). They charged me $25.20 per tire for the Flat black (I guess its different according to color). $5 per tire to dismount and dispose and $14 something in tax.... so It came out to about $165 to do 5 rims.

He also stated that I could change the color before Friday... I was torn between the yellow that looks like tan, white, flat black and gloss black. I'd love to see pictures of your LesSchwab PC'd rims if you have em.

Here are some pictures of what they looked like when I dropped them off

 

[Mikesta]

3 more Tires

 

[Mikesta]

Last 2 tires and the last image is what a 1970 Tcase/3speed tranny weigh. I was thinking 200lbs, I'm such a gimp. Sold the pair to help a local cruiserhead for $30 more than what its costing me to PC the rims.

 

[Mikesta]

Just now I notice the first tire looks to be a different type. Guess I need to take them the 6th one I have.

 

[3_puppies]

I'm thinking they are all older chevy? rims as there are no hubcap clips

 

[Living in the Past]

I'm thinking they are all older chevy? rims as there are no hubcap clips

X2

I think you will find that first rim will not fit over the front hub or seat properly over the back hub either.

 

[Mikesta]

Oh wow... talk about fail. Thanks guys, I've canceled the PC on these, they came off different land cruisers I've had so figured they were the untabbed version of the wheel. Bummer.

Experience over.

 

[tucker74]

Not necessarily, I've got a set on my '79 55 that have no clips


Tucker

 

[subzali]

Aren't mini truck wheels the same yet without clips?

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD at 85mph in an FJ40

 

[tucker74]

Aren't mini truck wheels the same yet without clips?

Yep,

'79-'85 with the SFA had them on the base model, donno how they ended up on mine but the are grey instead of the off-white of the minis. I picked up a welded steelie for a spare, same markings and all plus the riveted clips -

Tucker

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Yep,

'79-'85 with the SFA had them on the base model, donno how they ended up on mine but the are grey instead of the off-white of the minis. I picked up a welded steelie for a spare, same markings and all plus the riveted clips -

Tucker

I "acquired", over time, all 5 white steelies (tabless) you are talking about. I know that three of them were from SR5 4Runners/minis underbelly. I'm pretty sure that all the spares form that era were steel rims. I also have four tires with 100% tread with 100% dryrot as well.

 

[duffontap]

MY experience . . .

I actually dropped my set of steelies off the same day this thread was started; I got them back Thursday (one week turnaround). I went down with 5 loose wheels, buckled into my kids' car seats. Unfortunately, they didn't have a gray that was dark enough for my taste, so my wife and I decided we would go with gloss black, which is the color of the spokes I've had on and our eyes are accustomed to them anyway. They quoted me $25.20 per wheel.

This is an extra I had, but three of my wheels looked just like this. Two of my wheels were purchased from Splangy (thank you, Splangy) and were in much better condition. Anyway:

http://s132.photobucket.com/user/duffontap/media/WheelRustFront_zps320f564b.jpg.html

Back:

http://s132.photobucket.com/user/duffontap/media/WheelRustBack_zpsea974d13.jpg.html

All my wheels passed the safety/soundness check and all came back protected in nice wheel boxes:

http://s132.photobucket.com/user/duffontap/media/WheelsinBoxes_zps92c103eb.jpg.html

Wow:

http://s132.photobucket.com/user/duffontap/media/WheelinBox_zpsa67618d4.jpg.html

All in all, I'm floored that they will do this to five rough wheels for $126, total. I'm such a DIY addict that I was going to sandblast them and paint them myself, but this was money well spent:

http://s132.photobucket.com/user/duffontap/media/Wheelin_zps605b3c70.jpg.html

Backs:

http://s132.photobucket.com/user/duffontap/media/WheelsBacks_zpsb8052bc2.jpg.html

 

[Mikesta]

Thanks for taking up the torch! Those came out really really nice!!! I think my rims (4 of them) are actually cruiser rims without the tabs, they look the same as yours minus the tabs. I might still get em done after confirming. Sweet color on that 40 in the background too!

 

[duffontap]

Thanks for taking up the torch! Those came out really really nice!!! I think my rims (4 of them) are actually cruiser rims without the tabs, they look the same as yours minus the tabs. I might still get em done after confirming. Sweet color on that 40 in the background too!

You bet! I came back from dropping those off and found this thread. It's a long time coming, too. It took me for-ev-er to put together my set of rims. They came off at least four, and maybe five different 40's.

Good luck on your rims! JD

 

[Leaping Deer]

Wow. Wish we had a Les Schwab around here.

 

[dirtywilks]

@duffontap, do you mind posting a pic of your Fj40 with your black wheels and shines hubcaps? I’m debating between grey and black and have the same color Fj40. Thanks!

 

[GoPats]

Does Les Schwab still do it?

 

[Guster]

Does Les Schwab still do it?

Yes, just had some wheels done a couple weeks ago.

 

[oregon fj]

Yes, just had some wheels done a couple weeks ago.

@ktwilson - Do they have a satin black available now? And how much per wheel these days?

 

[Guster]

Do they have a satin black available now? And how much per wheel these days?

I went with gray so I'm not sure on the satin black. They did have samples so you get an idea on what you're picking. Also, not all of their employees are aware this is a service they offer. The first person I talked to said they don't do powder coating. I had some wheels done a few years ago, I think it was $107. This time they quoted me the same price but when I went to pick up the wheels he said they forgot the cost for primer on each wheel. I think the total ended up at $149. Is primer even needed when powder coating? I didn't know so I just paid the man, wheels turned out nice.