wheel sandblasting

[Richard Pressley]

I need to sandblast and repaint my '67 Ralley wheels. What is the best process to follow, re: blasting, priming, repainting?

[Tom Merkel]

Re: wheel sandblasting

Richard- I pulled my '67 rally wheels a year ago, had them blasted, and then sprayed prime and finish. Wasn't difficult. I don't know exactly what you might be concerned about, process-wise. (I did not sandblast the inner portion covered by the tire. That was in good shape). By the way, I used rally AL on both sides of the wheel, whereas I believe the original wheel was only rally AL outside, and black inside. Others along this board will know for sure.

After sandblasting, I used an air hose prior to priming to get the last of the dust, etc. off. Wiped it down with a soft cloth, too. Then, used a good quality self-etching primer (one coat) spray-can type, and finally two coats rally AL, spray-can type.

My two most important things: (1) Use a good primer, and (2) get a really good rally wheel AL color match.

Tom

[bob downs]

Re: wheel sandblasting

yes, you are correct but you do not need a primer.

[John H.]

Re: wheel sandblasting

Bob -

Why doesn't he need a primer?

[Steve L.]

Re: wheel sandblasting

What sandblast media did you use? Does it still preserve the smooth metal finish?

Steve L
73 coupe since new

[Jack H.]

Don't recollect....

seeing primer under factory original wheel paint. Suggest if you do bead blast the wheels, you might want to consider a thick, epoxy based paint to fill pit like DP-90. If memory serves, the wheels were painted black by KH using a dip enamel process with the Argent silver accent added after. When shot with silver, wheels were 'hung' by their valve stem holes and sprayed on the outside only. This would imply runs/drips following gravity line from the valve stem hole downward and visible silver overspray through the spoke openings onto a native black backside

[Mike McKown]

Re: wheel sandblasting

I just did two sets of Rally's. I sand blasted the wheels and then rapped on them with a hammer to shake the sand loose. Air hose alone will not do it. The first set was coated with Rustoleum grey primer, front, back and inside. The back was then sprayed with Eastwood black wheel paint. The front was then sprayed with silver argent, also from Eastwood. This paint is silver argent, not the one with the greenish tint. I don't know what is correct but I was satisfied with the results.

The second set, I sandblasted and rapped with the hammer. Black gloss Rustoleum was sprayed on the inner rim and the backside. The front with the gray Rusto prime. I then finished the wheels as described above. I like the second method better.

You can clear coat the silver for more of a shine if you like.

I forgot to mention, the paint is available at Home Depot and goes under the name of Professional high performance enamel. 15 oz. can. Really covers good.

I don't think this paint requires primer. Especially in light of the sandblasting. Check back in about twenty years and I'll let you know.

I don't know if my method would pass muster with the judges because I'm not a professional judge, I don't let professional judges judge my car and I was pleased with the results I obtained.

[Ryan Wright]

Re: wheel sandblasting

Did my dads wheels on a 76, they were steel sandblasting was fine, used a silver wheel paint from walmart and sand from home depot total cost was like 30 bucks, but the silver was tempermental, it kept bubbling, probably since it is south florida with all the humidity., black, was just old engine enamel laying around the garage, looks great but do black first

[Bill W.]

Re: wheel sandblasting

blasting is to rough. get them dipped at ready strip they come out like they were just stamped. Bill