Media blast & refin of rims

[green71]

Hi all,

Recently discovered my friend has a media blaster, so I’m thinking I might finally strip the Willow Green finish from my 8-spokes and go to either black or “natural” color. Having the wheels match the color of the car has always struck me as cosmetically less than optimal (read: ugly). I gots no experience with this, and I know a bunch of ya have refinished wheels, so can a brutha get some help?

1. Are either sand or small plastic balls suitable media for stripping?
2. If walnut shells are the media of choice, do I have to eat all the walnuts first? (I have an allergy.)
3. After stripping, can I leave these rims unfinished for a natural silver look? (Or more importantly: should I?)
4. If I choose to refinish black, is POR 15 suitable? If not, what else?

Thanks a bunch!

[green71]

Oh yeah, here's a pic of how the rims look now.

[Tidybuoy]

I have no experience with refinishing wheels but I think the green looks good with that green car. Why not just watch tv.....vern

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by green71
Hi all,

Recently discovered my friend has a media blaster, so I’m thinking I might finally strip the Willow Green finish from my 8-spokes and go to either black or “natural” color. Having the wheels match the color of the car has always struck me as cosmetically less than optimal (read: ugly). I gots no experience with this, and I know a bunch of ya have refinished wheels, so can a brutha get some help?

1. Are either sand or small plastic balls suitable media for stripping?
2. If walnut shells are the media of choice, do I have to eat all the walnuts first? (I have an allergy.)
3. After stripping, can I leave these rims unfinished for a natural silver look? (Or more importantly: should I?)
4. If I choose to refinish black, is POR 15 suitable? If not, what else?

Thanks a bunch!

1. It depends on the metal of the wheel. Some abrasives damage particular metals. I dont know what metal Empi's are made of.

2. They sell bags of walnut shells for blasting at Home Depot or Harbor Freight

3. You can, but it's better to put a clear coat on there. Prevents any possible corrosion, and they will be easier to clean. I doubt you'll get a nice silver look with those wheels anyway without a lot of sanding and polishing.

4. I wouldnt. POR15 is for rustproofing, you brush it on and it leaves a rough texture. Wont look good on wheels. Wurth Satin Black is the stuff to use. Pelican carries this..

[green71]

Jared,

1. OK, kinda thought so
2. That’ll save on dermatology bills
3. Dang it. I don’t have any tools or know-how to refinish
4. Yeah, Wurth. That’s the name I was trying to remember

Whatever the case, this project might have to wait for warmer weather. For now I’ll take Vern’s advice & watch TV.

Thanks for the help,

Mark

[AJS]

I would think that using plastic media would be the safest method. Walnut shells are surprisingly abrasive. I used to remove glass seals from electrical connectors with it, so it is pretty aggresive.

Andy

[peter carroll]

Perhaps just paint stripper. Then you could tape offt he polished edges. You may like how they look with no paint in which case you could then clearcoat them.. Pete