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Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2002 2:39 pm
by Guest
Has anyone attempted to refinish their factory clearcoated wheels?  If so, how did it go?

I have researched this on the internet.  Doesn't seem that hard to do, just time consuming and allot of elbow grease.  I have order the kit and stripper from Eastwood to assist and plan on using my air dremmel and scotchbrite pads.

I have a 95' Z26, but came upon a set of (4) GTU wheels that I plan on doing this to.  Need new tires so I'm going to remove the wheels from the vehicle and tires from the rims.

I'm hoping to achieve the "polished" look.  Let me know any tips or how it turned out for you.

thanks

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2002 2:04 pm
by Guest
I would use a chemical stripper to strip the wheels of the clearcoat, wetsand them with 500, then 1000, then 1500 grit sand paper to gt an deep scratches out, then polish with the dremel and a polishing pad using a aluminum polish such as mothers. Once finished and polished clean and re clear coat them and they will look as god as new.

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2002 6:07 pm
by Guest
Quote (BerettaGT/14ASEcerts @ Dec. 04 2002,3:04)I would use a chemical stripper to strip the wheels of the clearcoat, wetsand them with 500, then 1000, then 1500 grit sand paper to gt an deep scratches out, then polish with the dremel and a polishing pad using a aluminum polish such as mothers. Once finished and polished clean and re clear coat them and they will look as god as new.
It's a good idea, but then You'd definitely lose the circular rings that the GTU/Indy wheels has. I've never seen the result of this process on a GTU wheel.  Anyone has pics?

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2002 11:48 pm
by Guest
this is a little of topic but i noticed alot of cars here in Cali that have gotten their stock rims chromed (i think theres someplace around here that does it).  Anyways i think that the Z26 rims and the GTU/GTZ rims would look sweet chromed.

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2002 12:16 pm
by Guest
Im thinking of getting my gtu rims striper and getting painted gun metal

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Sat Dec 07, 2002 9:43 pm
by Guest
Quote (Beretta GTU 2.8 MPFI @ Dec. 07 2002,11:16)Im thinking of getting my gtu rims striper and getting painted gun metal
Hey bud, if you gimme a few pictures of your car I'll photoshop the GTU wheels in gunmetal for ya.

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2002 9:41 am
by Guest
Thank you all for your responses.  I just received the wheel reconditioner kit from Eastwood this weekend.  So far, I've only stripped (1) centercap as a "test" with Eastwood's Automotive stripper...and the finish came off sooooo easy!

I've looked into the chroming, very expensive.  This hole process is only gonna cost me about $80, and if the polishing comes out half as good as I am hoping, I'll be tweeked!

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2002 4:19 pm
by Guest
ITS A PAIN IN THE BUTT  BUT THE RESULT IS WORTH IT

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2002 9:15 pm
by Guest
--- see sig ---
Wheels were stripped, bead-blasted, polished using sand paper in this order: 120, 220, 400, 800, 1500, 2000 (2000 may not be necessary) then 2 coats rubing compund, 2 coats polishing compound, mothers alum/mag polish tri-coat clear coat.
Look on my website and you can see pics of the whole process.

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2002 10:43 pm
by Guest
Kev, Is it just me or those Polished wheels looks like they're constantly dirty.

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2002 10:47 pm
by Guest
Quote (Beretta GTU 2.8 MPFI @ Dec. 07 2002,1:16)Im thinking of getting my gtu rims striper and getting painted gun metal
I like that idea.  But on a black car? Why not just black? and polish the lip.

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2002 1:19 pm
by Guest
Just wanted to give an update...(2) of the (4) wheels are done!  Man, if you have the time and not much cash (power tools also help), you need to look into doing this!

I'm going to get the Nitto 450's (225/50/16) mounted on the (2) finished wheels tonight and will hopefully get some pic's together to post tomorrow!

Guy's, I have to tell you, this is easy and the results are unbelievable.  I did not take the time to sand out the rock chips and curb grind, but I'll tell you this, It doesn't really matter.  For about $50 and (8) more or less hours, I have (2) polished...dare I say chrome looking wheels w/(2) more to go!

Kev, not knocking your job...but sanding an entire wheel 5 maybe 6 times, applying 2 coats of rubbing compound and 2 coats of polishing compound does not appeal to me!  Not to mention stripping and bead blasting.  I'll almost bet you spent as much $$ if not more on stripper, blast media, sand paper, rubbing compound and polishing compound!  But the wheels do look good.

I'll try and post pictures tomorrow, if I can figure out how!

TTFN

:rock:

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2002 11:03 pm
by Guest
no pics yet? i wanna see these done.
QuasarCorsica

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2002 2:34 pm
by MAD MARK
There are a couple if people with chrome GTZ wheels and chrome GTU wheels. One guy at Bfest had chrome GTU wheels and man they were sharp. I don think the car was in great condition but the wheels made it stand out a lot.

There are 2 sets of chrome GTZ wheels in circulation. I have never seen chrome Z26 wheels and think they look great from factory.

Refinishing factory wheels

Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2002 3:52 pm
by Chris88CL
I had a chrome set of GTZ wheels but I sold them to another beretta owner in town.  They looked really good, but the centercaps were always a problem.