New Production Replacement Wheels

[haydendavid380 759]

After trying my hand at refinishing some of my old wheels, I'm pretty unimpressed when the results. Looked into the cost to have them blasted and powder coated and I'm looking at $250-$300 there.

 

I'm assuming that I can just order some new replacements for that cost. I'm not sure exactly what I need. Can someone point me to some replacements? As for the back wheels a little wider probably wouldn't be a bad idea as I have a pair of 10.5" wide Tru-Powers to put on them.

 

They're going on a '76 C-160

Edited April 26, 2021 by haydendavid380

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

6 minutes ago, haydendavid380 said:

looking at $250-$300 there.

 

For all four I hope.

 

I was quoted $400 for all four.

 

I'm watching to see if there are suggestions on new ones.

[Lee1977 6,667]

Miller tire has the rims and centers, but you will have to weld them up or have them welded. Centers $22, Rims  7" , 8.5" and 10.5"  $50 to $71.   Millers complete wheels have too much back set.

WHX24 had some made up by Hay Wheel. He listed it down under rims below tire suppliers.

Edited April 26, 2021 by Lee1977

[ebinmaine 67,624]

Let me run this by you in a slightly different way of thinking...

How DIY is your mindset?

 

I've learned over the last few years to look for the value in something. Not just the cost. The VALUE.

 

Trina and I do as much for ourselves, by ourselves, as we can. 

About the only thing we won't tackle around the house or yard is plumbing or electrical because those are both safety and code related.

 

Now let's take a look at your situation from my mindset.

Let's say you're going to need to spend $300 to make your rusty old wheels look like new again.

If you purchase new wheels and have them welded up and then painted you're going to be at or above that price level even if the welder and the painter treat you really really well.

Remember to compare the durability of powder coating versus painting.

 

I already have good access to somebody who can paint. I've bought a welder and become reasonably functional at using it.

What I don't have to fit this particular situation is a sandblaster.

So rather than spending $300 getting new wheels and still have a set of old wheels laying around, I'd go purchase a sandblaster.

That narrows my ACTUAL COST down to the consumables. Welding rod, cans of paint and primer, and the blasting media.

 

 

So my question to you is, do you have all the tools necessary?

 

Do you have the time? Do you want to take the time?

 

COST is more of a menial consideration for me than VALUE.

[Gregor 4,846]

I had my wheels media blasted and painted them myself. The cost was $80, but I had several other pieces done at the same time. My shop has a minimum charge of $80. so I took other things along with. I am assuming the major cost in your $300 estimate is the powder coating. Just have them blasted and paint them your self. Trying to sand wheels, and make them look good, is near impossible.

Of course, there are other options

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

That's why I bought a used bead blasting cabinet about 20 yrs ago.THAT is one of the most used tools in my shop.I've done many wheels in it.Just last week,I did the front wheels for my recently acquired Ford 1100 tractor.Yesterday,I blasted the battery box for my New Holland CM274.Anyone that works on any cars,trucks,tractors,any equipment,a bead blaster is defineatly a must-have tool.I see some on line places sell bead blast / air compressor packages kinda reasonably priced.

[ebinmaine 67,624]

5 minutes ago, Pollack Pete said:

bead blasting

Am I correct in my thinking that a bead blaster has less chance of damaging sheet metal than a sandblaster?

[squonk 41,155]

Beads blasting is cleaner, Lasts longer. A bit better finish. As far as buying a cabinet, unless you already have a BIG high volume quick recovery compressor you need to factor that cost in also along with possible electric upgrade. If you want to do a lot of blasting with a 20 gal portable unit you're better off pissing in a fan. 

Edited April 26, 2021 by squonk

[Gregor 4,846]

I don't think my shop actually uses sand on anything. I'm not quite sure just what they use, but sand would destroy my aluminum parts, such as dash cowling, and other Lawn Boy parts.

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

7 minutes ago, ebinmaine said:

Am I correct in my thinking that a bead blaster has less chance of damaging sheet metal than a sandblaster?

Correct.Ths blast media that I use is recycled glass.Nice finish and not harmful to sheet metal.

[Pollack Pete 2,273]

3 minutes ago, squonk said:

Beads blasting is cleaner, Lasts longer. A bit better finish. As far as buying a cabinet, unless you already have a BIG high volume quick recovery compressor you need to factor that cost in also along with possible electric upgrade. If you want to do a lot of blasting with a 20 gal portable unit you're better off pissing in a fan. 

Forgot to mention needing a big compressor.Kinda took it for granted that most shops already had a good size one.

[pacer 3,173]

"Sand" (play sand, mortar sand, beach sand, etc) is definitely a NO-NO!! It was found many yrs ago that the dust from blasting with it causes (I think?) Silicosis, (something like Black lung from coal mining) -- bad stuff.

 

But, oddly enough the least expensive and probably most used media is called "coal slag"! Still, its strongly recommended to use a good filter. I get mine in 50lb bags at TSC for $9. Anymore there are Several types of media - some sound quite odd - like 'dry ice' and theres walnut shells, soda and as mentioned several types of glass, etc. 

 

Bead blasting something like a rim is not gonna do damage, metal thick enough to withstand. Damage to metals arise in the thinner thickness of like a body panel on a car -- AND a HIGH pressure blaster, it will literally twist the metal. My compressor is a 5hp, 80gal tank with a compressor rated at something like 17-18 CFM and I run line pressure at on120psi/off150psi and I think I have blasted about everything at one time or another - they are a VERY handy tool..... But, (theres that 'but') it can run into some expense. A decent compressor is gonna start at around a $1000, then a cabinet (mines a HF and works great) at $400, then you need a water filter & an air regulator, and a decent hood and dust mask...... etc, etc

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

37 minutes ago, pacer said:

soda

 

Good for automotive body panels, and I'd guess for lots of other applications.  Nice because if you are outdoors the rain will dispose of the soda for you

39 minutes ago, pacer said:

it will literally twist the metal

 

I once did a 'frame off' resto on a '58 MGA Coupe.  Rented a blaster to do the frame.  Had some time to spare so figured I would do the body panels as well.  Not much of a problem on the STEEL panels, but the HOOD (Bonnet) was aluminum on a steel framework.  I didn't notice it until I sanded and primed, but the aluminum all got 'pushed' down, and you could clearly see the outline of the framework underneath.  No fixing that!  Had to source another hood!

[WheelhorseBob 1,549]

Personally I have a cabinet blaster at work I can use. I also have a guy who does it very reasonably not far away. Four rims would probably cost 80 bucks. It isn’t worth it for me to buy a big enough unit to do large parts.