restoring t wheels question

garyk1970 · #1 (**permalink**) March 18th, 2008, 07:58 AM

I'm going to strip the clearcoat then re clear and paint the silver sections of the wheels (87 T wheels) my question is ,after i strip the clear (flaking,yellow) how do i get the machined look again on the lip and "fins" before i clear the wheels?? these are the original 50k mile nearly perfect wheels.
thanks in advance.

garyk1970 · #2 (**permalink**) March 18th, 2008, 04:04 PM

getchasum · #3 (**permalink**) March 18th, 2008, 08:58 PM

Gary, emailed you the pics cause they were to lg to post......

garyk1970 · #4 (**permalink**) March 19th, 2008, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getchasum

Gary, emailed you the pics cause they were to lg to post......

cool, i didnt even think of polishing the lips,and ive got all the stuff (rudge,high speed cloth wheels and buffer) from polishing my airstream....great idea....and i like the chrome center caps too.im going to shrink and post the pics for you.

a.j.hogan · #5 (**permalink**) March 20th, 2008, 08:22 AM

how did you get those wheels to look like that?thanks a.j.

aminga · #6 (**permalink**) March 20th, 2008, 10:44 AM

I bead blasted mine and then polished the ribs with a buffer/Air grinder. Recoated with Eastwood Diamond clear. Since I'm going to have to redo it anyway I plan on using clear powder coat next time. The diamond clear is flaking off.

87GN_ponykillr · #7 (**permalink**) April 19th, 2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyk1970

cool, i didnt even think of polishing the lips,and ive got all the stuff (rudge,high speed cloth wheels and buffer) from polishing my airstream....great idea....and i like the chrome center caps too.im going to shrink and post the pics for you.

Chrome caps????? I like! Where do you get them?

getchasum · #8 (**permalink**) April 19th, 2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87GN_ponykillr

Chrome caps????? I like! Where do you get them?

There's a set on ebay right now for around $200, about the same price I paid for mine.

t-topflyer · #9 (**permalink**) April 19th, 2008, 07:41 PM

What size tire is on the rim in the pic of the gray car?

getchasum · #10 (**permalink**) May 8th, 2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t-topflyer

What size tire is on the rim in the pic of the gray car?

275/50/15 Nitto Drag Rad

Bweavy · #11 (**permalink**) May 9th, 2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyk1970

I'm going to strip the clearcoat then re clear and paint the silver sections of the wheels (87 T wheels) my question is ,after i strip the clear (flaking,yellow) how do i get the machined look again on the lip and "fins" before i clear the wheels?? these are the original 50k mile nearly perfect wheels.
thanks in advance.

Gary you have to get them machined! we do them for $150 each & guarantee the coatings.
Chrome caps look great on some T-wheels. Limiteds with a Chrome package they look sharp.

asto-t · #12 (**permalink**) May 9th, 2008, 06:37 PM

I had my wheels glass beeded,and the veins polished.looks very good against chrome on my T.I also have corvette center caps with buick trishield emblem.I find them at any swap meet cheap!

a.j.hogan · #13 (**permalink**) May 9th, 2008, 06:45 PM

do you have any pics of those center caps?thanks a.j.

asto-t · #14 (**permalink**) May 9th, 2008, 08:09 PM

I'll try to take pics.The center caps are from 77 to 79 corvette with the chrome top black bottom.The trishield is 2 inch colored decal I found on e-bay .I dont know what car or year the decal is from. The corvette has the 2 inch decal,I just peel off

87GN_ponykillr · #15 (**permalink**) May 11th, 2008, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asto-t

I'll try to take pics.The center caps are from 77 to 79 corvette with the chrome top black bottom.The trishield is 2 inch colored decal I found on e-bay .I dont know what car or year the decal is from. The corvette has the 2 inch decal,I just peel off

Do they fit on tight??? Do you need to do anything to make them fit?

asto-t · #16 (**permalink**) May 11th, 2008, 01:10 PM

The center caps fit.I think they are the same vender? All the center caps look alike(camero,monte carlo ls,etc.)

need boost · #17 (**permalink**) May 22nd, 2008, 04:45 AM

Gary, like brian said , the only way to have the machined look is send them off and have them returned on a lathe. Most sand them and polished them out to look like chrome but you lose the machined look like that. Whatever you do do NOT use rough sandpaper!!!!!!!! Start with 1000 grit to get them clean and smooth then go to 1500, then 2000 then polish out with white rouge and a high speed buff. Daniel Ray

getchasum · #18 (**permalink**) May 22nd, 2008, 11:15 PM

picture of mine above was first cut w/ 320, then 600 grit, the an air tool. The wheels are soft and polish back easy.

aminga · #19 (**permalink**) August 1st, 2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aminga

I bead blasted mine and then polished the ribs with a buffer/Air grinder. Recoated with Eastwood Diamond clear. Since I'm going to have to redo it anyway I plan on using clear powder coat next time. The diamond clear is flaking off.

Here is the first attempt to clearcoat a T-wheel with Powder. I'm working on a write up on how to do this step by step. But work is getting in the way right now. This is a set of wheels I bought off of Fleabay road rash and all. And here is the first end product. Before and After.

Theoretically this should be a breeze to clean since the clear has a nice smooth surface now.