1996 Standard Wheel Finish

[Floyd B.]

Was there any clear coat applied to the salad shooters? If so, on what areas? Was it only applied over the painted areas or the entire wheel?

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1996 Standard Wheel Finish

Thanx Dave,

That's very helpful and matches what I see on my original wheels. My wheels have bad curb rash at all four corners so I'm taking them to a local wheel repair shop. I need to be able to tell them how I want them refinished. Fortunately, they have their own lathe and do powder coating.

-Floyd-

[David H.]

Re: 1996 Standard Wheel Finish

... and do powder coating. ... -Floyd-

Floyd

Do some research before having aluminum wheels powder coated - one link below. Temperatures used in powder coating process may change wheel strength. FWIW: Saw blades on my son’s 1996 appear to have clear coat - peeling off in spots. I’d pass on powder coat myself.

Dave

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c5-tech/1369711-is-powder-coating-wheels-dangerous.html

[Joe L.]

Re: 1996 Standard Wheel Finish

Thanx Dave,

That's very helpful and matches what I see on my original wheels. My wheels have bad curb rash at all four corners so I'm taking them to a local wheel repair shop. I need to be able to tell them how I want them refinished. Fortunately, they have their own lathe and do powder coating.

-Floyd-

Floyd------


There is a procedure and list of materials for wheel re-finishing in your factory service manual. Presumably, the materials listed are the same or equivalent to the materials originally used.

I once obtained a set of used wheels for my 1992 so that I could store the original wheels and tires. When I got the used wheels they were in fairly rough shape (appearance-wise, not structurally). I had them reconditioned by Wheels America and they came out PERFECT. 1992 wheels are somewhat different than 1996 standard wheels both in size and finish, though.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1996 Standard Wheel Finish

Thank you gentlemen,

My original wheels will be used for judging events only. I have a set of factory original tires to mount on them once I have them restored. The only miles these wheels/tires will ever see is driving on/off the trailer. Except for all curb rash, the wheels are in decent shape. I'm thinking of asking the refinisher to leave the finish between the splines alone, address the curb rash, polish the machined surfaces (w/o removing the fine groves), then apply the clear-coat to the entire wheel. But if their process requires stripping the wheel bare as first step then I'll have to hope they get the argent silver paint color correct.

I found the refinishing procedure in the FSM: Volume 1, 3E-10.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1996 Standard Wheel Finish

Thank you gentlemen,

My original wheels will be used for judging events only. I have a set of factory original tires to mount on them once I have them restored. The only miles these wheels/tires will ever see is driving on/off the trailer. Except for all curb rash, the wheels are in decent shape. I'm thinking of asking the refinisher to leave the finish between the splines alone, address the curb rash, polish the machined surfaces (w/o removing the fine groves), then apply the clear-coat to the entire wheel. But if their process requires stripping the wheel bare as first step then I'll have to hope they get the argent silver paint color correct.

I found the refinishing procedure in the FSM: Volume 1, 3E-10.

Floyd------


I don't see how they could polish the machined surface without stripping the wheel as I believe the machined surface is clear-coated.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 1996 Standard Wheel Finish

Yes. I want the machined surfaces refinished. It's the painted (argent silver) surfaces between the splines I would like to preserve as-is. Otherwise I have to hope they match the color correctly.