Has anybody massaged a pair of aluminun (Wheel Veniques) halibrands to look like the original magnesium wheel that has turned. Any suggestions on how to get that patina. Fred
Someone posted to a thread a long time ago that he had some spray paint simply called "Steel Wheel" that had the perfect dusty flat gray with a hint of green that duplicated oxidized mag,...I sent him a couple of PMs asking where to get this miracle in a rattle can...but never a response...so I just used some emery paper and steel wool to get my aluminum slots to a nice satin. If you find this stuff let me know. You might call Eastwood and ask them if they got anything like this.
"Steel Wheel" was made by Dupli-color but they changed their formula and it's not even close to what it was. Groits has a house brand that I've heard is pretty good but I haven't tried it yet. If you use it let us know. Terry
Bead blast them and then run 'em in your dishwasher with dishwasher soap. They'll come out dark and old lookin'. Saw some brand new repop Harrell flathead heads at the LA Roadster show that had it done...very cool! Suggestion: Try a chunk of aluminum, from your local metal supplier or scrap metal guy, to see if you like the look first. Dave
Spray 'em good with oven cleaner and let 'em sit overnight---it'll fuck 'em up REAL good They will turn gray fer shure. Don't ask me how I know............
This is what fivewindow Johnny did for his: "Basically, you submerge them in parts solvent, just like in the parts washer. Then, while submerged, scrub them with a brass or bronze wire brush, (something non-ferrous), to burnish the pores of the casting. Also, they were sandblasted with pretty coarse media prior to the scrubbing to give them a rougher look, closer to the magnesium Halibrands on the back. If standing right at the car they are not an exact match, but close enough most guys never notice and most think the fronts are mags as well. We also posished the very rim on both fronts and backs as a detail and it kinda draws them together." His coupe was in the Rodders journal, but I can't remember what issue. It was the dark green 32 5W with small kidney bean halibrands
Not that I'd trade my real mag Halibrands, but after spending hours and hours and hours of continually polishing them, I wish I had the extra cash to buy some aluminum ones so I wouldn't always have fuzzy rims.
Oven cleaner works by eating the aluminum. It will do a number on the faces, but keep it off areas of bead, it will ruin the seal. I've found one of the easiest tricks is to let a dog piss on them, ( or do it yourself, but it can be hard to explain to the neighbors) then leave them in the woods for a couple of days. Every passing animal will mark it's territory. Just rinse them well before you put them on the car or you will really start the neighbors talking and nobody will park by you.
My remedy: Media blast with red garnet and then use the red oxide color scotch brite. Gives it a magnesium tone to the aluminum. I do it to all my stuff.
Guys this why I love the hamb. I have been pondering this very thing myself. I just bought a pair of wheel vintiques for my next project. Any pics of the different techniques ? I have seen the 32 5w in the rodders journal (beautiful car).
The Jalopy Journal
