1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

Barely managed to finish this project before the snow hit.

I purchased my LS while I was blinded by love, so I missed out on a lot of little details that I should of noticed easily.

Like the condition of the wheels for example, they were quite rough, all 4 of them.

So I gave them the full treatment.

I started by sanding out all the little chips and imperfections, down to the bare metal.

Then used a grinder to grind off the curb rash and serious stuff.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

Then went back to sanding , from course 80 grit up to 600 grit in stages.

Then primed them

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

Then a two stage paint system, starting with base coat, silver metallic, multiple coats .

And then multiple coats of a high quality clear .

last step was to wet sand them with 2500 and then polish tem back to a high gloss

Was a lot of work, but id rather do it then pay someone else too, overall cost was about $50-$60 or so of materials.

Most of which I already had laying around from old projects.

mckellyb

Thanks, dude! It looks like you did what I want to do, except we split processes when you break out the primer. I'd start polishing at that point.

So you didn't encounter any funkiness when through the paint but not yet to metal, eh? I'm somewhat dreading the insides of the lug holes.

For speed's sake, as this is my DD, I may still see if anyone in town will take them to bare metal, fix the scratches/scrapes/dings, then I can polish them, myself, as that appears to be what shops want to avoid.

I wish I had a sixth wheel, this way I'd always have a spare, and I could do them one at a time. Work gets in the way... Time to see what's on my local CL.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

Oh cool, I didn't even think of polishing them to be honest

I would just risk driving without a spare if I was in your shoes, or get a little donut tire and toss it in the back just in case and do one at a time.

it would be difficult though, the lug holes as you said, the inner spokes, there are some areas that would be a nightmare to properly polish.

If buying a chrome or polished set is not an option , I would pay a shop to bead blast the finish off completely, it shouldn't be too much, and then just work your way up from 220 grit to 3000, then use a metal polish

That would look amazing actually, but its a lot of work forsure

Nospinzone

Nice job! Want to do mine?

mckellyb

I either have, or can purchase, the rotary polishing wheels/discs/"bits" which will get into every nook and cranny for polishing, but for sanding...erm...yeah.

The key to polishing the inside edges of the spokes is going to be just the right wheel. I think I have said wheel. I do need to see if I have an air-powered polishing wheel, however. I used to, but haven't seen it in forever.

That's it, I'll find a bead blaster to hit 'em, then any damage I'll have fixed, professionally, then I'll get after the polishing process.

Yeah, I might just not have a spare for a while. If I ever need one, like on the trip we're taking last week of the year, I'll just throw whichever wheel is in process in the trunk.

I can fix all but the one's damage, so I'll start with that one, first, as I'll be least upset about it.

There is a set of four, locally, but on ebay, chromed, but with some rash. I'm calling on a wheel place, tomorrow, to see if they can fix chromed wheels. If so, and if the cost isn't too bad, I'll very seriously consider it, if pricing stays reasonable in the auction.

That still leaves me with only four, however.

...and I'd really rather have them polished.

Now I'm conflicted.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Most place charge about $125-$150 per wheel to repair and refinish. And that doesn't include removing, remounting and balancing the tires.