Sand blasting wheels questions

I have some Centerline Wheels I bought for a failed Nova project. They are polished aluminum. They are now going on my roadster that is primered in black, and the wheels stick out too much for me.

1.) Can I sand blast these to dull them up?

2.) Do I have to treat with a protectant if I decide to sandblast, or just blast and run them?

3.) Would I have to pull the tires off, or could I just cover them up with a blanket or something?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

Yes, blasting them will make them dull. Too corse of grit might even make them rough.

Yes, they will oxidize with out protection. A "clear coat"paint should do the trick.

You will have a hard time blasting the wheel edge with the tire on IMO. Depending on how detailed a job you want, you may end up with sand between the tire and wheel.

 

for a nice satin finish try blasting with walnut shells or baking soda. These will not damage the aluminum. Then seal with Zoops seal to keep the oxidation down

 

Thank you. I'll probably drive it around this summer, and then have the tires pulled for blasting in the fall.

 

I've done a couple where i just broke the bead, but I was using a self recycling blaster. Not too much waste but it didnt get all the nooks either.

 

I wouldn't recommend soda for aluminum. Glass bead puts a nice slightly textured finish on aluminum. I'd try Zoops or maybe even Gibbs before clear coating.

 

I had a similar set that I did 15 years ago and still have. Aircraft stripper to remove the clear, followed by about an hour per rim with scotchbrite going in full circles around the whole rim. Hands were cramped for days, but gave a nice brushed looking finish. Once a year I hit em with acid mag cleaner to brighten em up. No issues, and the car lives outdoors.

 

yup. If you live in a dry area like around here, they'll stay looking good...but with high humidity or salt air or on the snow you need something on them.

 

Glass bead is the way to go.

 

any one have ay pics of the wheels that have been blasted? if so what were they blasted with?

 

Aluminum 16x10 ETIII's (the REAL ones - two-piece, one of 100 to 150 pairs ever made!) given a nice, soft glass beading. Note the even finish - these turned out really nice (plus, they are for sale along with another pair - this one has a 5 on 5, the other pair is 5 on 4 1/2).

Steve

 

i clean my wheels with an SOS pad, does a nice job, i wouldnt blast them, they could have some coating on them allready that you can remove with spray paint remover, then SOS them and the tire at the same time.

 

Another option....if your wheels are nice and you just want them dull but not rough....try Eagle One Chrome and Wire Wheel Cleaner....it says NOT to use on aluminum, it etches it...works good for cleaning and dulling the polish...