Hey everyone,

Before I install new summer tires, I want to do something with my rims to make them look better. They are the mid-80's aluminum-alloy Corona style rims with center hub cab. I got a friend of mine turn down the hub caps on a lathe and he re-coated them with a glaze and they look awesome, but the rims themselves are tainted and "blackened" like those rims get with age. I know that you can get them sand-blasted etc.., but I'm on a tigth budget and was wondering if there was anything I could buy and do it myself? I don't mind devoting the time to doing it myself and am anxious to get started especially with the rims being completed off tires right now! All suggestions are welcome!

Thanks in advance.

Chris

Here's what I did, to get them like this:


I did this when I was young and stupid (last autumn). The Virgos I left a few weeks later at the local jail for blasting and powdercoating for 60 USD a set came out a lot nicer for a lot less effort...

Erling.
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My 240 Page

I don't know what your rims look like now(peeling or not), but i thought that my Coronas looked best when i left the brake dust on all the spokes, but used steel wool to clean up the machined face. The steel wool does a really good job, and i think it looks great with the "dark background". Good luck!
Kyle
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Kyle - attending Ore. State, while my lil 68 142 (74 b20, broken m40) sleeps... (check out my website, www.cardomain.com/id/kneedsacar

Personally, I would still stay with the blasting. The shop I took virgos to charged $25 each to blast every last surface on the wheel (front, back and inside). Once stripped, even an amateur can achieve a fairly decent paint job, as proper preparation is more than half the job.

Run a search on "refinishing rims" ... you'll find all the answers you'll ever need on a DIY refinishing/repainting job.

-- Kane ... 'cause otherwise I'd just suggest to scrub-and-paint method. Hey, it'll pass the 5-feet test, so.
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Blossom II - '91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles - '74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup - '86 245GL/AW70 ... The Wayback Machine - '64 P220/M40

I restored a set one winter using paint remover and steel wool. You will need at least 3 gallons of some really strong paint remover to get started. One trick is to coat everything with the paint remover and cover it with plastic wrap. the plastic slows down the evaporation time. When it starts to bubble,do not remove the gunk. Instead uncover and more remover and recover.When it really starts to bubble scrape the excess off and remove the rest with steel wool. You will need a pretty rough pad followed by a mild pad,I think numbers 2 and 00 will do.Work in well ventilated area,not in direct sun,cloudy days are better. Also invest in a pair of solvent resistent gloves,trust me on this.When all the paint is gone you can polish the rims with more steel and clear coat if you like. I purchased primer and wheel paint from Eastwood Co. I put about 4 coats of primer,4 coats of paint,and 3 coats of clear.The rims held up very nicely for 4 harsh winters in New York before I noticed a little peeling.Please note the entire project took 3 months to complete but the results were fantastic.Good luck,
Nelson