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Restoring 17" Wheels
I have a set of factory polished 17" wheels (winter tires) on my "07 LT2 that will be coming off in the Spring when I put on a set of 18" Sky wheels, with new summer tires. I want to take the opportunity then to somehow restore my 17" wheels. They have the high polish, chrome-like look but are deteriorated in several areas. Wheel shops seem to want more than a new set of aftermarket wheels to restore them. Any thoughts? I am not opposed to elbow grease but knowledge of the methodology is what I lack. Thanks!.
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Well first, it’s a 2LT, second your gonna need to strip off the tires and valves , then the coating , then several steps of sanding to finer and finer grits, then buffing compound and buffing wheels, on your drill motor. Then you can either a spray the wheels with a clear coat, or buff and polish periodically. I buffed out these Boyd’s Tomahawks back in 1998, they still shine today, the new owner came over and I showed what I had been doing for years to keep them shiny. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...5c8b8006d.jpeg |
Sorry about the 2LT,/LT 2 thing, must have had a short bout of dyslexia. At my age, you can never tell.
Obviously, I figured on removing the tires .and valves, caps, etc. Just wondered whether a set of those flapper wheel sanding "bits" would work- starting relatively coarse and proceeding finer and finer. I'm leaning toward an Eastwood painted final finish; I m more if a fan of the matte look anyway. We shall see; I' have the whole summer to do the job. Thanks. |
Bead Blast and Powder Coat .....
Go Fishin while it's being done..... SF |
X2, if you’re gonna paint em , powder coating is best |
Originally Posted by OldSwede
(Post 856306)
Just wondered whether a set of those flapper wheel sanding "bits" would work- starting relatively coarse and proceeding finer and finer. .
The attempt would be to remove as little amount of metal as possible... I think those flap wheels are too aggressive. |
Agreed, a walnut shell blast would be less abrasive and the powdercoat shine is very cool https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...20c5d911a.jpeg Red powder coating on stock steely rims, very smooth and glossy |
Wheel shops seem to want more than a new set of aftermarket wheels to restore them. Any thoughts? This is true, but the factory 17" wheels are a better made wheel than the majority of aftermarket wheels... It's worth having them redone professionally if affordable AND they do it right. What I don't like about them is how much they weigh, I prefer 16" mags myself. |
The factory polished 17"s are Forged rims. Lower priced aftermarket are only gonna be gravity cast rims. Just sayin..
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Originally Posted by sleeper
(Post 856407)
The factory polished 17"s are Forged rims. Lower priced aftermarket are only gonna be gravity cast rims. Just sayin..
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