you might just want to take a screw driver with you and poke a bag or two to know the real answer on that one.

beep beep anyone home?

Is the Grit rating like sand paper, where the higher the number, the finer the abrasiveness? Or is it the otherway? I mean, is 12 grit coarser than 80 grit?

Bart

I would test the walnut. using the plastic, you should be able to put black tape on hte tire and leave it mounted.

beep beep anyone home?

I checked the Harbor Freight site, I'll go to their store tomorrow, here's what they offer...

25 Lb. 12 Grit Walnut Shell Blast Media

2 lb. Coarse Mesh Ground Glass Media 15/35 Grit Mesh

25 Lb. 24 Grit Walnut Shell Blast Media

5 lb. Plastic Abrasive Media apprx. 35 Grit

5 Lb. Medium Mesh Ground Glass Media apprx 40/70 Grit

20 Lb. 70 Grit Aluminum Oxide Blast Media

80 Grit Glass Bead Blast Media, 50 Lbs.

All I want to do is remove the old paint layer(s), get a smooth flat finish which I can the prime and paint over. These are minilites which I bought a couple of years ago and which were repainted by a local shop after they scratched them mounting new tires. Ever since, I have not liked the way they looked; additionally, some of the repaint is now starting to flake off.

Another question, with minilites, if I just removed the paint, what finish would I then have and is it a nice enough finish to simply clearcoat & run with?

Thanks!

Bart

If I use walnut shells, and left the tires on the rims, would it damage the tires?  How about with the other medias (plastic, play sand, glass beads)?  Again, trying to save some time.... Bart

 

No rust on the wheels, just paint which has begun to wear some.  Thought I would bring it down to metal and then re shoot the wheels with primer and then some Eastwood rim paint.  Is Plastic the way to go then? or will the walnut shells work?

 

you owe it to yourself to try some plastic media(poly), it's great!! it won't remove the corrosion but it will remove everything else and wont damage like glass or sand does. In my opinion when you glass alumiunm parts like carbs you ruin them because you pit the material. also try walnut shells for a cheaper alternative.

beep beep anyone home?

Bart, the selection of media determines the final finish and how much work you have left to do. I used glass on rims in my cabinet and it does fine with a finish similar to what's shown. But it's a long way from the mat aluminum finish left and a polished rim, if that's what you seek.

How much do you need to remove? Just paint? I saw Harbor Freight had walnut shells for media. Some shops use plastic media. Each will have different characteristics and costs. Sometimes going "cheap" costs you more in the long run in time and or $. Investigate more....

Make it idiot proof, and someone will make a better idiot....

 

after, it did cause some roughness on the rim which I'll polish out but came out great otherwise.   dan

"I don't know much, but what I do know I know little of "

before

"I don't know much, but what I do know I know little of "

after

"I don't know much, but what I do know I know little of "

My home bead blaster wasn't up to the job so I took my wheels to work and used a high pressure/volume blaster. Here's some pics. Sorry, I'm at work and have to do one at a time.   dan

"I don't know much, but what I do know I know little of "

I've glass blasted other aluminum pieces, (not wheels) such as remote tunnel, alloy intakes, and the glass does a great job.

"I reject your reality, and substitute my own." - Adam Savage

About to media (sand) blast some minilite alloy rims prior to refinishing them.  I was planning on using glass beads, but thought I'd see what other's have used effectively (read the "cheaper & does the same job"...

Opinions?

Thanks in advance!

Bart