68SCode4speed

Ok Guys - I just got the new Vintage 40 wheels in 15x7 (very similar to the original Torq Thrust wheel) for the '65 Mustang & put 215/60R15 Yokohamas on them. I notice that the spokes are a bead blasted/cratered effect that give them that flat look. They are clean as a whistle right now and I was wondering if there is some kind of clear coat or protective coating that I can put on them. I know that when brake dust gets on them it will be a pain to get them as clean as they are right now. (I have used Duplicolor clear coat on many things in the past and it works like a champ - I know they also make a wheel coating but I think it is colored and not clear)...

Anyone have any suggestions to help with my **** retentiveness about keeping the spokes clean??? (other than I shouldn't have bought that kind of wheel...)

noroof66

Post some picks, let us check them out........

68SCode4speed

I haven't mounted the wheels on the car yet but did place it by the front wheel well. I'd probably tape off the shiny outside ring and then clear coat the interior areas with something that Duplicolor makes. I've had lots of luck with their stuff... Don't know how well it would stick to the aluminum though... Probably have to do a test area on the backside of one first. Here's some pics...


[IMG]local://upfiles/44155/FB1CE94269244292834C6B5F0E1166FE.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/44155/46C816BE06724FCF88AC6235AD6D4BB5.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/44155/E7D3C2FDD700411A97EDA2B305403D57.jpg[/IMG]

noroof66

Those are going to look great mounted. I've never tried any of the clear coats on rims. I would agree with trying it on the back first.

68SCode4speed

Well - I spoke with the folks at Vintage Wheel Works yesterday and they said that their early wheels were uncoated but they have now begun to give them a light coat. I'll go find some of the Duplicolor clear wheel coating and then prep the wheels by cleaning the heck out of them, warm them up in the house and then give them a light coating over the whole wheel. Should help protect the finish as well keep the brake dust out of the nooks and crannies.

Colorado_Mustang

Be careful with that polished lip. Wheel cleaning solutions will stain the aluminum.

rmodel65

wax on the wheels also www.por15.com makes a chip and scratch resistant clear i personally have not tried it though

68SCode4speed

Well - I cleaned the wheels really well and then just stood there looking at it while shaking the rattle can and thinking "This could go really well or spiral totally down the toilet." I finally said - "Let's do this" and proceeded to coat the wheels front and back. I did notice that you had to do the whole area at once and dare not stop until you got it all coated because it would show up a spot where you tried to coat over something that had already dried. I did the backside first and found that the clear coat filled in the tiny craters in the rough finish very well, +1 for keeping brake dust out. It did reduce the ultra bright trim ring shine on the outside edge of the wheel but not to the point of being bad. It darkened up, every so slightly the spoke finish but you can hardly tell and only if you saw the wheels before coating. All in all it turned out better than I expected. The stuff was Duplicolor High Temp Wheel coating in clear.
I'll post pics once they dry for a couple of days...

Soaring

I hope it works out for you. I have had my Mag 500's for over 10 years now, and all I have ever done was use the same car wash soap as I do on the car, and they come out spotless everytime. Yeah, you are **** retentive.