refurbing old wheels

[nedkelly113]

Hi
Wonder if anyone can help me?
I bought my first T25 in december with alloys on but got the original wheels thrown in. I want to put the old wheels back on but they're in need of a bit of tlc.
They are caked in muck and have some rust on as they were sat outside flat, so some rust round the rims where they meet the tyre. The tyres have signs of cracking on the walls but 7mm of tread so it seems a shame to ditch them to strip back the steel. Is a bit of cracking ok or should i just get new? Also what is the best approach to cleaning up the wheels? Is it possible to sand blast with the tyres still on? If not i was thinking ditch the tyres and get busy with a wire brush on a drill then prime and paint theem then get new tyres. should i paint the entire wheel or leave the part where the tyre goes?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Ned

[kevtherev]

have the tyres removed and disposed.. (that cost me a fiver)
then take them to a blaster near you (yeller pages)

It cost me a tenner a wheel
but the result was superb

[nedkelly113]

Cheers Kev
Cheaper than i thought it would be.
When i've had them blasted whats the best way to do them. I want them white so should i prime the entire wheel then spray the whole wheel white too?
Ned

[kevtherev]

that's what I did with two pack paint... a nice hard finish, thickly applied.
your local paint shop will be able to supply it easily and cheaply

mine cost twenty five pounds a wheel four years ago, and I just give them a T-cut once a year

[nedkelly113]

Nice one Kev
Been on to blasters today.Found one who said he will blast and powder coat for £30 a wheel. sounds a bit steep but might be worth it.
Ned

[kevtherev]

well worth it ned

[nedkelly113]

Thanks Kev
You've just made up my mind for me!
get them on and sell the alloys. should pay for it with some left over.
Ned

[purplecrocs]

my van's in for a respray at the moment so I'm having the wheels done too - shot blasted, then primed and silver painted (tyres need to come off) - costing about £40 each all in but that includes getting a tyre fitter to come in and take/refit and balance the tyres.

Basically I wouldnt spend too much more than this as you can buy the wheels new for about £45 each i think

[nedkelly113]

I've decided on the white powder coating.
apparently its tougher than the two pack spray. (or maybe that was a sales pitch on the phone!)
I'll post a pic of the results.
Ned

[happy camper]

I've decided on the white powder coating.
apparently its tougher than the two pack spray. (or maybe that was a sales pitch on the phone!)
I'll post a pic of the results.
Ned

Yep powder coating is harder / more durable than paint i had mine done last year in gloss black for £140 thats for tyres removed, shot blasting inside and out, powder coating then tyres refitted.

[italianjob]

'ello there

I've now managed to get hold of a decent set of 14" steel rims which still ahve the tyres on. I'm going to get the tyres removed and the rims shot blasted and then powder coated off-white.

Question - what do I do with the back of the rims? They need a good tidy up, but do I get them blasted, primed and powder coated or shall I just clean them up manually my self with some good old fashioned elbow grease?

Also - how much should I expect to be charged to get the tyres off the rims and disposed of? never had to do before you see and I don't facncy being ripped off by 'not-so kwik-fit'

will post pictures of progress

ta 4 now

[kevtherev]

'ello there

I've now managed to get hold of a decent set of 14" steel rims which still ahve the tyres on. I'm going to get the tyres removed and the rims shot blasted and then powder coated off-white.

Question - what do I do with the back of the rims? They need a good tidy up, but do I get them blasted, primed and powder coated or shall I just clean them up manually my self with some good old fashioned elbow grease?

Also - how much should I expect to be charged to get the tyres off the rims and disposed of? never had to do before you see and I don't facncy being ripped off by 'not-so kwik-fit'

will post pictures of progress

ta 4 now

£5 a tyre to dispose and remove by me
You'll have to blast clean ALL of the rim, back and front, coaters won't do it unless they're spotless..and powder coat all of it. I doubt you'll get half done.

[R0B]

Just so you know.I had the wheels on my old van powder coated.And the brake dust on the fronts ate into the coating.Might be a good idea to to spray them with some sort of clear lacquer.Before fitting.

[dougt25]

I am in the process of sorting my wheels right now.

Its an easy DIY.

I am doing one at a time starting with the spare - this way I can keep 4 wheels on the van at any one time...

I use an angle grinder with a stiff wire brush attachment to clean of rust and debris. A drill will take longer but would work. This is an easy 15 minute job.

A 5 min quick rub down with 600-800 grade wet and dry (Wet is easyer)

Wash and scrub with cheaping washing up liquid or hand wash (cheap is good as less aditives)

Rinse with plenty of water (hose is good)

When dry I use Krust or Vactan (basically the same product) Coat all surfaces. Leave for 24 hours

If tyre is on mask the tyre and spray with primer. I use Rustoleum Combiprimer as it seems to last really well and has some rust inhibitors.

Leave to cure and spray with Allloy wheel paint or a hard wearing top coat... I dont bother laquering but it's an option if your not using wheel paint.

When the first one is done I will post a before and after!



It's probably easer to pay someone to do it but I decided when i bought my camper that I wasn't going to throw money at it when I can do things myself. This process has worked very well for me and the finish lasts for years.

Cheers

Doug