how to refinish appliance wheels?

[Dave_Pa]

on what's going to be my first roadster i was fortunate enough to get the set of appliance wheels I'd like to run on it. The 'problem' is that they need a cleaned up a little.

The tires are really good on them, so i'd rather not break them off.

Any tips/tricks on how best to clean them up and repaint the black mesh in the middle?

Thanks for the advice.
Dave

[notoptoy]

I think this might be a good soda blast candidate?

[Dave_Pa]

I would agree but I don't want to have to take the tires off the rims.

[Roman]

Green scrubbies are your friend. Maybe some wire brushes, and lots of tape.

Clean them up get all the flaked paint off, then tape and spray. Some mothers and elbow grease will get the rim looking quite nice.

[notoptoy]

You should not have too with Soda blast, just mask/tape off the rubber.

[Linda]

I have the Appliance wheels. I think there is a thread someehere on polishing them. I never painted inside the mesh or spokes. I took the wheels off and used 400-1000 grit wet dry sandpaper then various stick polishing compounds on a triangle shaped buffing wheel on a drill. OK but not super shiny.

Linda

[Dave_Pa]

Linda I think your wheels look great. Thanks for the info. I searched but came up dry.
I look again.
Thanks
Dave

[Alvin]

Alex cleaned up his set:
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... 2&start=60" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

While the tire were off I took a dremel steel wool bit and cleaned the face of the wheels. Looks a lot better.

Before:

After:

[ACote]

Yep took a finishing bit and just did the outside. Would like to get in between everything but couldn't find anything that would fit. But its good for now until can I get them blasted. I wonder if professionals could get the small gouges fixed on mine.

[Dave_Pa]

you guys are awesome. that's what i needed to know. I really like how your wheel turned out Alex. I think i'm going to just a little more shine (like Linda has on her wheels).

[ACote]

I just wanted the black crud of the face. I'll get around polishing them with some fine grit like Linda also.

[spl310]

put the rear on jack stands. chock the front tires. start the engine and put the car in 4th gear. With a BBQ grill brush (the fiber one, not the wire one) you can just hold it in place with some water for lube and clean those bad boys easily. Polish with a rag and some Mother's... Repeat 3x for the other wheels. The area by the lugs will need to be done off the car.

[Dave_Pa]

...you lost me at BBQ...

I really like that idea...thanks!!

[spl310]

Hey, I was in Pennsylvania a few days ago. If I had been able to get internet access, perhaps we could have met up!

[Dave_Pa]

Where in PA? Im in Pittsburgh.