The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Wheel Refurbish

My 56 has the original wheels (I believe) and hubcaps (I am sure), and though the hubcaps are pretty much toast, the wheels are in descent shape and I would like to clean/sandblast/paint or whatever is necessary to help them continue in service. My question is what would be the best procedure to follow to get rid of any rust and keep it from coming back, and also what would be the appropriate color to paint them. Right now they appear to be a dull black, but I do not know if that is original or not.

Thanks, Lee

If it were me, I'd remove the tires, remove the old valve stems, sand blast the rims, POR-15 the inside of the rim, prime the outside of the rim and paint it Black (factory base color). Rattle can paint on rims has worked well for me...4-5 light coats allowed to get tacky between coats will last for many years...my Fire Engine's rims were done in 2002 and they still look great with 30K miles on them...

Mike B

Guess it depends on the level of finish is desired in the end product and budget ?

Remove, dismount tire:

.sand blast and fill rust pits then powder coat would be a long lasting perfect finish.......... at a cost.

Sand blast, finish as required, prime and paint. Paint ? .......rattle can, DIY spray, professional spray..........???????? Budget $20 to $400 depending desired finish.

Drip strip, derust ........body work finish, prime and paint.

Wire brush, treat the rust, prime and paint.

Many buy new trailer wheels 6x16, 6-8 lug for $50-80 each .......with factory powder coat when given the costs involved. Again varies by desired look, original stock, color, tubeless bead lock, etc.

I had my original 5 rims (spare too) sand blasted and powder coated black. I believe the color was flat or satin black Not Gloss.
Was about $350 total.
Shop around. I am Very Happy with them !
Second picture with original hubcaps with beauty rings.

I am in the powder coating business. I use a 70% gloss black powder on wheels when the owner wants a "factory" appearance.

Mike

I have not personally seen inside the rim, but I know when the new tires where installed (I had just purchased the truck), the shop had some trouble with one or two of the valve stems due to rust and had to use a different type of stem. They have sealed up well and I have no trouble with unusual leak downs at least.

Thanks for the replies.

Mike, since you’re in the business, what should we expect to pay for having a set of rims sandblasted and powder coated? What’s a fair price?

What Mike said, I'm trying to find out if the very early model 1954 3100 had red wheels, under all the paint is red. Does anyone know? Doc.

What model 3100, Doc?

The 3106/3116 Suburban wheels in 1954 were painted body color.

Maybe someone has GM documentation with wheel colors?
My guess is the wheels were normally semi-gloss/satin black?

Supposedly, changes in body part colors were a no-cost option (if you were willing to wait for a special-order build).