Wheels, Your Ideas

[bob w]

I've got a set of Weld Rodlite wheels. They are shiney aluminum. I'd like a different finish; something so they look more "vintage". Sandblasting, beadblasting, powder coating, paint, etc are all under consideration. Has anyone done anything like this? Or are there any other methods any of you have used successfully? I've been wondering about an acid bath for instance, maybe vinnegar. Would like an American Salt Flats matte grey finish if possible. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks,
Bob

 

[Gastrick]

I like the American Salt Flat idea. Maybe you could bead blast them and then powdercoat or paint them in a color that would give them that old dow coated magnesium look like many of the drag cars had in the 60's/70's.

I think any acidic mixture applied to the wheels would tend to turn them black, but I guess you could alway repolish them if the results were les than desireable.

 

[Dqracer]

Google : Patinas,, there are dozens of different acid washes and heat activated patinas you could treat the newly media blasted wheels with. Could get interesting if you have an old odd ball wheel to play with first ..

 

[maddog]

I have been using a product for over a year now and it is super good stuff.

Gibbs brand penetrant.

Do a search and read up on it. I have bought 2 cases on ebay, a total of 24 cans. I have about 5 left and have given several away to friends.

I cant tell you how cool this stuff is.

It penetrates and perserves, lubricates, converts rust, bla bla.
Unlike wd 40, liquid wrench, etc it wont hinder a future paint job. Yes, you can paint a surface that has had it on it.

I use it on absolutly everything.

For aluminum, it penetrates the surface and stops corrosion but has the effect of turning the bead blasted aluminum a dark uniform grey. It looks very cool. They say you need to re-do it once a year.

It is soooo much better than liquid wrench at breaking rusted things loose that I'm sure I will never use liquid wrench again.

It was developed by a guy with a chemistry background when he was restoring an old motorcycle. You cant get it in stores but some hotrod shops carry it.

I highly recomend it.