Quick Wheel Restoration Question

Hey all,

Picked these 3rd gen 4runner wheels up from Toyo Pros for $45 a pop.

In the process of cleaning them, but will only be able to get so far with elbow grease.

If I get them sand blasted, is the only option to start from bare metal afterwards? The one on the top left is really clean with great clear coat still so is it worth it for that? Or is there a middle ground where I can get all the grime off but still keep the clear coat intact?

First time restoring wheels and I'm loving it so I'm willing to put in work painting and everything but wanted to get the forum's take and figure out what I don't know.



Thanks gang!

 

I recommed NOT doing sand blasting. That process will definitely remove what's there, but it also slightly change the surface texture of the wheels in the areas that look smooth.

I'd recommend going to an aftermarket wheel restoation company and have them "remanufacture" your wheels. I had mine done a few years ago at AWRS and they came out awesome. It cost me roughly $650 for all 4, but that price included dismounting/remounting, and balancing the tires. Your cost should be less since there are no tires mounted on the rims.

I choose to go wioth black powder coating, and not the OEM color of gray. I love the way they came out. I think it took my OEM Toyota FJ wheels and made them look like aftermarket.

AWRS is a nationwide franchise wheel restoration company, and they work with a lot of dealerships. If you plan ahead you can ususally find a time of year when they have a sale going on. https://www.awrswheelrepair.com/

 

Oh yeah they look great. I'll look into it. Price might still be higher than i'd like, especially considering that it would probably still be over double what i paid for the wheels in the first place. thanks for the info!

 

I got it, hey, I only paid $112 for my FJ wheels with decent tires on them. But the final product was so worth it me, and the powder coating is guaranteed for life. If you paint them, there's a very high likelyhood they are going to get scratched/chipped while the tires are being mounted.

 

https://www.phoenixrimrepair.com They properly refinish the whole wheel, not just the face as most so called wheel refinishers/powder coaters do

 

$45 a wheel and folks saying drop $650 to make it the same, near the cost of good wheels, especially used

Lol

Sand and/or scuff and paint it.
Or plastidip.

the best powdercoat doesn’t survive rubbing against a rock

like if a wheel is put on a 4x4