More expensive but I'm going with powder coating and forget messing with paint. PC will last longer as well.

Hatty....bead blast your wheels and all the old paint will come off. Just make sure the guy doing the bead blasting knows what he's doing so your rims don't get hopelessly pitted.

Cheers,

Bill

Thanks Bill but I solved the problem by buying new wheels! The Volvo gray 15 holes are currantly on the 300SD and in the process of turning black.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Keep them on there long enough and they'll self strip.

Cheers,

Bill

Thats the plan.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Powder coating... That's a good idea. If you do this, let me know how it turns out. Pics would be nice. If it's good I'll talk to a machine shop I deal with daily to see if they'll shoot mine for me. I wonder if they have a sand blaster...

Thanks for the idea!

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B
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1983 300SD

The problem with powder coating is the cost. I have a friend that will do it for me but he's still charging around $300 for the four. It'll be a while before I get mine done.

Powder coat is very durable and the color can be matched to the original, then clear coated.

I wouldn't sand blast. I would see if they can bead blast them. Sand will pit the aluminum.

Another alternative if you would like the chrome look is this new product that PPG has. It is a paint but looks exactly like chrome. I can't vouch for its durability though.

Cheers,

Bill

Man, you better talk to you friend. I just called the my machine shop after I read this because that seemed way out of line. I buy alot of parts from these guys and many are powder coated. He said as long as I bring them in with the tires dismounted and bead blasted, they'll do it for about $40, total. Granted, that's a "hook-up" price, but I doubt they would give me THAT big of a discount. If they are though, I better take them up on it!

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B
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1983 300SD

Hmmm....that sounds too good to be true! Cheaper than paint. Yeah, you better take them up on it.

My price was with the tires on the rims...which my buddy would dismount....plus he'll do the bead blasting.

I did get a price from another shop that bead blasts/powder coat and they quoted me $125 per wheel plus I would have to take the tires off.

Where do you live? I'll have to check your profile. If its within range I'll take a ride. You could tell them my set is an extra set that you want to keep for spares.

Edit: Just checked and see you're from Colorado. Thats a long way from here. Drats......

Cheers,

Bill

The only catch that I can think of is that I have to use a material they already have. That way, when they are running a batch of parts for somebody, they'll just throw my wheels in with the mix (which means I might have to wait a couple of weeks too, but that's ok if it's during the winter). The do lots of silvers, so I'm sure I can find one that looks good. I figure it doesn't have to be exact, just look nice. Unless I want it to match my spare, but heck, that hasn't been used in 22 years...

I figure when it's time to get new tires (fairly soon) I'll just work deal with the tire shop to dismount, and I'll bring the tires and wheels back later to mount. They shouldn't complain.

Man, I'm glad this thread came up and you mentioned the powder coating. My wheels are kinda ugly and I'm pretty sure they are beyond cleaning, even with elbow grease!

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B
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1983 300SD

I am assuming these are 14in Bundt's we are talking about? You can buy brand new ones for like $100 each. Is it really worth it to spend over $300 redoing 20 year old wheels?

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

$100 x 4 = $400

$300 for all four is $100 savings so I'd say yeah, it is worth it. Heck, that'll buy a whole tank of fuel.

My 20 year old wheels ride no different than brand new ones so why buy new?

And yes, we are talking 14" bundts.

I haven't spent the money yet. Gotta talk to my buddy about his pricing first after reading this thread.

BTW...the friend I am refering to was the guy that showed up on the BMW motorcycle at the GTG. [Ed]

Glad I could help you bbeardb! Rare occasion.

Cheers,

Bill

I have a 14'' rim off my sold 1984 300D I am looking to sell. It was only used twice since the car was new.(Owened the car since 1985) Perfect condition. No center cap. The tire is a Uniroyal tire in perfect condition. I live in northern Ohio. Pick up only.

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2009 CLS550 55,000
2004 ML350 144,000
2004 X5 95,000
2002 X5 165,000
1996 320S 155,000 (sold)
1991 190E 192,000 (sold)
1989 300SE 160,00 (sold)
1984 300D 210,000 owned since 85, (sold)
1984 300SD 160,000 (sold)

You use to be able to pickup spares out of a junkyard. I was paying $75 each or 4 for $250 a few years back. I'd make a set from ones which had never been used! Use to have the green dot sticker on the rims. Old tires with the nibs and molding still there....


Michael

__________________
Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

I had good luck with Trudesign Wheels in Wheat Ridge, CO (303-422-5090). They charge about $100 per wheel for powdercoat with clearcoat.

And diesel used to be under $1.50.

I've been looking for 3 years at our local yards but no luck. Not many cars show up around here. I really only need 3.....the spare in my TD has never been used.

Cheers,

Bill