sand blasting oem rims with tires still mounted?

[Old#7]

I am looking to clean up my OEM rims so I can paint them. I have access to a HF siphon sand blaster. I really don't care about the inside of the rims I just want a nice clean outside surface. So the question is.. can I blast them without removing the tires? I don't think a little high pressure sand would do much to the rubber, but then again I have never tried. Also would I need another media besides silica sand, or can the OEM aluminum take the beating without digging too deep into it?

I experimented with colors on my spare tire rim and sanding to prep it was a pain in the butt. Also I am going with a darker grey than what I tried on the spare, so I need to bring the spare back to bare Alu. Blasting seems the logical way to do it. I just don't want to go through all the time and money to dismount and remount tires.

 

[tirewater]

Even if the rubber could withstand sand blasting you'll risk embedding sand between the tire bead and the wheel, leading to slow leaks that will eventually cause you to remount the tire. I would do it right the first time.

 

[Tapage]

it's that strong the pressure ? .. coz the pressure between the rubber and wheel should be good too ..

 

[LexissLX470]

you could probably get away with it, just mask off the tire really well and be careful while going around the outer edge of the rim.

 

[Mo Rocks]

I am sure the tire bead will hold up OK. I am more concerned with the 'tooth" or rough edge the sand blasting will create on the aluminum rims.
You will likely have to sand the rims a bit to smooth them down if this is an issue.
A lot of car bodies have been ruined or severly roughed up by aggressive sand blasting... it can take a lot of filler primer paint to fill in the roughness....

try a test spot on the back of the rim first and adjust your pressure to minimise the roughing of the metal..

Try glass beads or walnut shells instead...they are less likely to leave a rough surface....

I have done a litttle sandblasting here and there, and it will suprise you as how easliy it can rough up the metal or even dig into it... Just my $.02