Wheel refinishing: Machine contact surfaces?

[one4massa]

I just had some OE 996 cast wheels media-blasted, powder-coated and cleared for application on our 993 Targa. ALL surfaces were coated, including the lug-nut seats, and the inner faces that meet the hub. I notice that the OE wheels had these contact surfaces machined post painting. My question is: is it safe to keep these surfaces coated, or should I remove the coating at the contact points to prevent potential coating deterioration / lug-nut loosening?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[DW SD]

Yes, remove the coating at the lug contact.

[one4massa]

How might one go about clearing off the hemishperical lug seat? (These wheels have deep pockets for the lugs).

I'm afraid of doing more harm than good by sanding in a crummy surface going in blind with a dremel tool or something...

[Jeff Hail]

Originally posted by one4massa
How might one go about clearing off the hemishperical lug seat? (These wheels have deep pockets for the lugs).

I'm afraid of doing more harm than good by sanding in a crummy surface going in blind with a dremel tool or something...

With wheel off. Get a spare lug nut put some valve grinding compound on it and chuck it in a slow speed power drill. Use a socket and extension with something inside to limit how far the nut goes into the socket. (just like a spark plug socket) The compound is course enough to remove the coating. Just go slow and when the pc gets thin go slower. Even if you hit metal it wont hurt anything other than cleaning up any existing gall marks. Do not stir the drill just equal uniform pressure is needed.

Or - They do make tapered reamers just for this but they are expensive.

[one4massa]

Thanks Jeff, I'll give it a try!