How do I refinish aftermarket wheels

[pejohnson]

Okay so I just bought a set of 17" Millie Miglia tonight. Super excited. I saw SHOpazz92's really liked them on his car. Anyways the aren't in mint shape and some of the clear coat is pealing off. In addition under the pealing clear coat the aluminum is oxidized some. Anyone had success refinishing there wheels? If so what steps and products did you use. I read to use air craft stripper to remove the clear coat. I'm assuming is doesn't mess up the aluminum finish. Really confused on where to start. Below is a link to some pictures.

http://http://www.shutterfly.com/lightbox/view.sfly?fid=892a22bbf6f290a7cf4ab00f16ca9e1e

 

[jelloslug]

It would be no different that refinishing any other wheel.

 

[zach44102]

Clean them with a degreaser, wet sand them with 1000 grit sandpaper, wipe down again with a wax/grease remover, prime, color, clear. Done

 

[jelloslug]

Clean them with a degreaser, wet sand them with 1000 grit sandpaper, wipe down again with a wax/grease remover, prime, color, clear. Done

I am assuming that they have a machined finish since he is talking about clear coats (the pics don't work BTW). He will have to be careful to not damage the surface unless the oxidation has already messed it up.

 

[pejohnson]

Additional Photos

 

[jelloslug]

Your choices are to strip them down and try and try and resurface the corroded areas to look the the undamaged surface or strip them down and then paint them. You should call around to some powder coating places, they may be able to strip the wheels for you cheaply.

 

[firebat45]

Sandblasting places can strip them down, but I don't know if they can save the machined finish. Most of them have the ability to repaint too.

 

[jelloslug]

Sandblasting places can strip them down, but I don't know if they can save the machined finish. Most of them have the ability to repaint too.

He is going to need a chemical dip to be able to save the machined finish. Aircraft stripper will do the job but that is some nasty, nasty stuff.

 

[typhoon5000]

I def wouldn't use stripper. I would just get them media or sand blasted (preferably media because it's not as harsh) and have them powdercoated which will last forever. I had that done to a set of wheels for my crown vic a few years back and it was only $200 for the set.

 

[frosho]

Here's a how-to thread from another forum I'm on: http://nemotorsport.com/boards/showthread.php?t=11888

I only gave it a quick skimming, but it might at least give you some ideas.

 

[yamahaSHO]

I'd recommend taking them to a wheel reconditioning shop and/or powder coater. Personally, I'd take them to a powder coating shop and let them blast and coat them.

I recently refinished a set of wheels myself aside from having the centers powder coated:

From this:

 

[Phoenix]

star spec ftw.

 

[SHOspazz92]

My wifes car is the only other SHO I've seen with those wheels...





-Sam

 

[Bob Gervais]

I'd recommend taking them to a wheel reconditioning shop and/or powder coater. Personally, I'd take them to a powder coating shop and let them blast and coat them.

I recently refinished a set of wheels myself aside from having the centers powder coated:

From this:

1) I'm jealous, and I hate you.

2) +1 for media blasting and powdercoating. That corrosion could be repaired and the surface re-machined, but it's gonna cost.

 

[pejohnson]

Well I emailed a local company that specializes in reconditioning wheels. A rough quote for power coating would be $75 per wheel and to polish just the outer lip would be $50 per wheel. In addition $16 per wheel for mounting and balancing. Does that seem like a reasonable price?

 

[SHOspazz92]

Well I emailed a local company that specializes in reconditioning wheels. A rough quote for power coating would be $75 per wheel and to polish just the outer lip would be $50 per wheel. In addition $16 per wheel for mounting and balancing. Does that seem like a reasonable price?

Not a bad price. However, these wheels have a clear coat over the polished lip.

-Sa

 

[pejohnson]

Your wheels

Yeah after I really like the way they look on your wife's car. I've been looking for a spare set of wheels and stumbled on these through Craigslist. They just need a little cosmetic work.

My wifes car is the only other SHO I've seen with those wheels...





-Sam

 

[Ghost93]

[/IMG]

I would be curious about this as well. These wheels have the same machined lip clear coated.

 

[FREAK_SHO]

What happened there?!!?!?!?

[/IMG]

I would be curious about this as well. These wheels have the same machined lip clear coated.

 

[dohcsable]

I wee'd on it last time I was in chicago.....my bad....



You can leave the lip uncleared, as long as you clean them and repolish every so often.

And Jason, I envy & hate you as well.....what are those btw?