I have a set of vintage torque thrust style wheels and the outer rim needs to be freshened up a bit. It has some staining and minor rash as wheels of age get when they are not taken care of. They appear to need to be sanded and polished. Anyone done this before and what is your technique? What grits paper did you use? What did you repaint the spokes with?

Ed

I did this last year. I started by stripping the old paint off the center spokes. I then put the rearend on jackstands and put it in drive, as the car idled I carefully sanded the outer parts of the rims. Depending on how bad each one was pitted I started with 80 grit and worked my way to 220 grit. I then used some aluminum polish to make them really look good. I then taped off to paint the spokes. Eastwood makes the corect original color for the spokes.

I just did this a couple weeks ago with a set I found at a pawn shop. I beadblasted them, the machined aluminum surface (rim)at a pretty low pressure (about 20psi). That removed all of the stains and light imperfections. Then followed up with a grey scotch brite pad, fine steel wool, then polish. I kinda like the look of the old wheels, so I didnt go crazy on the polish. Depending on whether or not the rim is machined, you can wet sand and polish aluminum, much like paint.

Email me if you want some pics or info. Not an expert on these really, but my results were good.

dave