Wheel Re-Finish

[Pathfinder]

Here are a couple of photos from the refinishing of my wheels. They were pitted and clear coat was gone.

I used aircraft stripper, sanded with 180 grit sandpaper, Primed with rusto, then finished with Duplicolor wheel paint. In a week I will wetsand and they will look great. Overall I am very pleased with the finished product.

Oh here is a tip. The aircraft stripper came in two types of containers. I chose the one that I could poor and them apply with a paint brush. It was much easier to manage with the tires on and it allowed me to recoat till the whole clear/paint combo came off. Much better IMHO than the spray can option. Plus is was only 5 bucks more and I got 4x as much. (now I just need to figure out what else I need to strip off) I am thinking of coating my running boards in the same finish. It should tie it all together and fix a couple of rust spots that have come up.

Here are a couple of shots during the phases.

 

[murf]

just goes to show what a little effort will get you for a few bucks. Nicely done!

The finish is only as good as the prep which it looks like you are not cutting corners. Now, watch those curbs!

 

[Pathfinder]

I am going to be putting some 33's and OME 2.5 lift here in a month or so. Should come together nicely.

 

[breathed]

That's nice work. I'm going to do my LC wheels this spring before I get new tires. I refinished my wife's Avalon wheels without tires and they came out about as well as yours. I did the prep and paint (both sides of each wheel) in one day which made for a long day. I'm going to take two days next time.

 

[jvazquez53]

I might try this on my "inherited wheels" from the 60. Before you guys mention the missing nuts, this was only a test to see if they fit and how they look.

 

[ERG80]

That looks really good. I did the same to my wheels a while back.

 

[TeeDiggs]

that looks great man. I'm really diggin' it

 

[hill]

hey can you post some pics of those dope wheels on yoru rig?

 

[Pathfinder]

I just realized that i did not include any of them on the cruiser. I will be waiting a week to install the center caps. I want the paint to set nice and good.

here you go.

 

[lndcruz]

looks nice. Im debating between this color or matte black

 

[bpassmore]

hey, you're missing a lug nut.

 

[Pathfinder]

hey, you're missing a lug nut.

I know I got a new impact wrench and its a little more powerful than I am used to. I'm gonna have to get that fixed here soon.

 

[jjdeneen918]

I recently did a similar setup on my rig.

I hit them with a braided-steel wire wheel, cleaned them up and shot them with Rustoleum Hammerite Bronze (dark gray) paint.

The wire wheel didn't take all the cracked finish off, but from 5 feet away they look great.

Its possible in the future the existing finish left under the paint will start to lift off, them I go with your plan. I didn't know such a product existed.

 

[Pathfinder]

I might try this on my "inherited wheels" from the 60. Before you guys mention the missing nuts, this was only a test to see if they fit and how they look.

I like those wheels. They would look nice in bronze or the same color. Much easier to prep in your case since the design is easier to get at with a wire wheel.

keep us posted.

 

[maxnharry]

Thanks for the great write up! Am thinking of doing this. The PO actually chromed the wheels and am wondering if the etching primer will adhere to it. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[chitown40]

Very nice work! I did the same thing last year (same color too) and they look much better than the stock, peeling, corroded alloys.

Make sure when you have new tires mounted you remind the store to put weights on the insides only.

 

[smokethedog]

what primer did you use?

 

[Pathfinder]

rustoleum automotive primer. What ever said it worked for aluminum. So far its held up good. I do not think long term its going to be a perminent solution. However I may pull and powder coat at some point but till then they look nice!

 

[Bluetribal]

I am afraid to google aircraft stripper, as it may take me to some new air line that competes with Hooters Airline. Or a really good P0rn site with full service stewardesses.

Anyway is Aircraft Stripper the name of this product? What type of store do I find it at?

 

[maxnharry]

I am afraid to google aircraft stripper, as it may take me to some new air line that competes with Hooters Airline. Or a really good P0rn site with full service stewardesses.

Anyway is Aircraft Stripper the name of this product? What type of store do I find it at?

Kleen-Strip is a well known brand. Ace hardware sells it. You can also try an auto body supply shop.