Libre repops/ USTrans am

[Shaundeegan]

I have some old wheels I'm trying to clean up and am having trouble getting the porous spoke area clean. Does anybody have a product or technique suggestion because the cleaners and elbow grease I've tried so far aren't getting the job done.
Thanks, Shaun

[Pjackb]

post some pictures of the problem areas and tell us what products you've used to see what you're dealing with if you want the right recommendations

[Shaundeegan]

post some pictures of the problem areas and tell us what products you've used to see what you're dealing with if you want the right recommendations

The spoke area is has decades of grease worked in.
I started with soap and water and a brush. I've used degr easier; liquid and foam scrub a dub, dub to no avail.
Really don't want to paint them so I was wondering if anyone new of a product for the porous finish.
Thanks,Shaun
1967.5 , 1600
Portland, Or

[Shaundeegan]

post some pictures of the problem areas and tell us what products you've used to see what you're dealing with if you want the right recommendations

The spoke area is has decades of grease worked in.
I started with soap and water and a brush. I've used degr easier; liquid and foam scrub a dub, dub to no avail.
Really don't want to paint them so I was wondering if anyone new of a product for the porous finish.
Thanks,Shaun
1967.5 , 1600
Portland, Or

[theunz]

My Empi 8 spoke's at nearly 50 years old had the same issue. I carefully masked off the polished area and then bead blasted them. It gave them a nice light gray finish, which has slightly darkened over the last couple of years. I would not recommend anything corser than glass beads. Cut glass is a little cheaper, but slightly more corse and would be my second choice. All 4 wheels should take less than 30 minutes with at a company specializing in blasting if you do the masking.

[Shaundeegan]

My Empi 8 spoke's at nearly 50 years old had the same issue. I carefully masked off the polished area and then bead blasted them. It gave them a nice light gray finish, which has slightly darkened over the last couple of years. I would not recommend anything corser than glass beads. Cut glass is a little cheaper, but slightly more corse and would be my second choice. All 4 wheels should take less than 30 minutes with at a company specializing in blasting if you do the masking.

That's a great idea.....just wondering how the masking tape held up to the blasting. Did you use a specific heavy duty tape?
You're wheels look great. A couple of mine have pretty bad road rash so I'm weighing how much dough to put into them.
Thanks, Shaun

[greydog]

I've found that Eagle etching wheel cleaner will take off darn near anything. The stuff is caustic so be sure to follow the directions carefully, especially do not leave it on the wheel long or allow it to dry. Don't get it on paint but it cleans old water pumps, wheels, most anything that's cast aluminum.
I have a couple of stiff nylon brushes that is use. Process is, spray until the surface is wet. Let sit a few minutes, wear gloves and eye protection, scrub the surface use more cleaner if drying. Once it seems to be clean, rinse very thoroughly and scrub with the brush under the water stream to make sure you have all the cleaner out of the pores.
If that doesn't get them clean enough for you, you'll have to do something "mechanical" like media blasting.
Dan

[Pjackb]

That Eagle etching stuff is pretty strong , I would follow Dan's recommendation and try that ,
If it does not work then it's paint time

[theunz]

Shaun, I just used blue painters tape and was careful. It held up really well, and only had a couple of spots where it curled up about a sixteenth of an inch.

[Shaundeegan]

Shaun, I just used blue painters tape and was careful. It held up really well, and only had a couple of spots where it curled up about a sixteenth of an inch.

Thank you, all.
I'm going to try the etching compound first. Mainly because it should be cheaper , knowing the media blast would be mist likely better but the less I spend the happier my wife.
Thanks again

[mblue97]

I have the same US Trans Am wheels. Paint is cheap and not too difficult.

[Pjackb]

I have the same US Trans Am wheels. Paint is cheap and not too difficult.

Plus it looks good

[Shaundeegan]

I have the same US Trans Am wheels. Paint is cheap and not too difficult.

Plus it looks good

I was worried about the paint bonding if I didn't get it clean enough.. . ..my co worker says I should paint it with that plastic paint so if I didn't like it I could take off easier.

[Pjackb]

Plastidip is a PITA to take off on textured surface
Seriously man a good cleaning with that Eagle stuff ,then go over the surface to be painted with a green or brown scrub pad
I don’t see any reason for the paint not to bond
If you want something that will last forever get Eastwood 2K paint

[bakerjf]

The original unpainted wheel looks great, but is a stain magnet due to its porous nature. After I had the wheels lathed to get rid of the curb rash, the outer rims were clear coated like a modern wheel; I then painted the spokes myself. They look nice and are easy to keep that way.

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