My first attempt at wheel restoration: Cragar G/T

[Fast67VelleN2O]

When I bought my 1967 Mustang fastback... these were on it. Extremely oxidized as you can see. I wanted to put them back on this year so I drug them out of storage. I wanted to get them restored... but why not do it yourself? I would like to get a better shine out of the outer lip. Any suggestions? I used a buffing wheel and mothers wheel polish after I cleaned up the oxidation. I am also looking for a nice set of center caps (I have a wanted ad up). I cleaned up the set that I have but they need a rechrome. This single wheel took me about 4 hours total from start to finish. What do you think?
Before:
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo175/fast67vellen2o/IMG_7252.jpg

After:
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo175/fast67vellen2o/IMG_7253.jpg

-Matt

[SuperNovaSS]

Nice Job Matt.



Jason

[PxTx]

I think it look spretty goog Matt. I'm sure you could start sanding and polishing that outer lip to get it to shine more.

The black contrasts very nicely. I'm not sure what the correct dark finish would be, but those look nice.

I saw your wanted ad, and was curious about the GT wheel. I've seen several versions of it with dark centers and light. I've also seen those GT caps on ebay with the hex pattern on the ourtside. What were they from?

Last think I wonder is what it would cost to have a set of centers restored? Have anyone done this? I fear some of the crisp edges may loose some definition. NOS ones would be a great find. Good Luck!

[resto4u]

You can wet sand with 1500, 2000, and then 3000. then polish. Looks good for just a polish.

[MosportGreen66]

[ QUOTE ]
You can wet sand with 1500, 2000, and then 3000. then polish. Looks good for just a polish.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was going to post the exact same information. Progressive wetsanding will bring that shine right out!

Very nice turn-around.

-Dan

[Mr70]

What a difference...Nice work.

[PeteLeathersac]

Whttp://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gifW...nice!!!

What size are the centers you need?.
I think there may still be a couple that've been rolling around the bottom drawer of the toolbox for the past 30 years...or more?.
I think they're blue background but may be smaller?.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
~ Pete

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I will wet sand the lip and see what happens. As for the center cap, they are 3" in diameter. I would take a blue center because I am sure I could repaint it red. I can't wait to put these back on the car. The car is already a little "Day 2" with slapper bars, Cobra intake and valve covers, 650 double pumper Holley, tri y headers, and Shelby underdash gauges.
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo175/fast67vellen2o/1967%20Mustang/IMG_4976.jpg

[PeteLeathersac]

Got your PM Matt..
I'm off to Fla. in the morning w/ the family so won't be able to check 'til after I'm back but will get back to you then..
Don't stop looking in the meantime though as I think the ones I have may be smaller?.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
~ Pete

[napa68]

We need a picture of that in the Day 2 thread. Great work on the wheels! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[scuncio]

Those look good. I restored a set of G/Ts for my Camaro a couple of years ago. The aluminum is a bear to polish - it's just rock hard. I wet sanded in three stages - started with 320 and went to 400 and then 600. Then hand polished. The aluminum on the G/Ts is so hard that I'd recommend skipping grades finer than 600. Just my opinion- good luck.

[VintageMusclecar]

I think you did a helluv'a job. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

The Mustang is SWEET!

[scuncio]

Forgot to mention - I had my original center caps rechromed by Courtesy Metal Polishing in Villa Park, IL. They were in worse shape than yours and came out perfect. Price was very reasonable.

[PxTx]

Cross post from the other thread. This is what NOS caps look like for the SS. I suspect the GT ones would look similar. Wanted to put them here for reference of the finish of new.

I would love to see what a restored set look like.

http://i710.photobucket.com/albums/ww101/Plowman7/PxTx/cragar.jpg

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the kind words guys. I will wet sand the lip and see what happens. As for the center cap, they are 3" in diameter. I would take a blue center because I am sure I could repaint it red. I can't wait to put these back on the car. The car is already a little "Day 2" with slapper bars, Cobra intake and valve covers, 650 double pumper Holley, tri y headers, and Shelby underdash gauges.
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo175/fast67vellen2o/1967%20Mustang/IMG_4976.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice work on the G/Ts! Definitely a dare-to-be-different wheel--in a good way. Add some F70 Coker redlines maybe?

[427TJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Forgot to mention - I had my original center caps rechromed by Courtesy Metal Polishing in Villa Park, IL. They were in worse shape than yours and came out perfect. Price was very reasonable.

[/ QUOTE ]

Tony, I think this thread warrants a re-post of your Z with the G/Ts and redlines. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Nova Jed]

Looks like those wheels come out very nicely Matt! I have seen this 68 Camaro sitting in a driveway for years with those Mags on. The New version doesn't look bad, but I like the old. I think they would look good on any vintage muscle.

Jed