torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

I have a set of wheels that look like the torque thrust models that cam eon some supercars.The center has what look sto be some corrosion on it and the outer part has dulled.What is the best way to restore these?

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

If they are all aluminum or magnesium...your best bet is to bead blast the spokes and polish the outer lips..dpending on the model of wheel you have they were probably machined lips but that is pretty tough to safely duplicate...JMO

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

I agree with Belair... another thing i usually do is dust a light coat of argent silver paint on the spokes after beadblasting. You want to try to maintain the "raw cast" look, but the light coat of paint makes them a zillion times easier to keep clean and new looking. The key is to not put "too much" paint on them, you dont want the spokes to "look" painted, you just want to cover the raw aluminum so it doesn't dull or corrode. As for the rim, you can use VERY fine grit sandpaper to clean up any light oxidization prior to hand polishing, (600 grit or so works well) or even better, send them out to a professional polisher. I do believe there are places that can actually "re-machine" the rims if you want to totally duplicate the way they would have looked when new. it's tuff to beat the look of a set of old-school 5 spoke mag wheels! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

I had a set of original Torque-Thrusts restored by this guy: www.akhwheels.com. He blasts them with walnut shells (I think it was walnut shells) and re-machines the lips. My set looks better than new. He uses a very nice shade of silver on the spokes (his "secret" shade) and also sells the proper center caps. I was very happy with the final product. He also has many vintage wheels in stock.

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Hey Joe! Does tha AKH Wheels sound familiar? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Remember some of these wheels are thin cast...re-machining them can cause failure...AKH can re-machine the backs of the wheels too !!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Yeah Tom it sure does https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...thumbsdown.gif... I'm think I'm gonna refrain from discussing that whole deal though, as it still upsets me... if you wanna tell the story feel free.

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

For the record, my experience with AKH was 100% positive. I started out with original 1960s Americans that were in excellent condition and AKH went over them, checked them for cracks, etc., and did a great job. I also realize that they are old, used wheels and who knows how much abuse they may have been subjected to before I got them. They look great on the car but I would not subject them to a hard launch at the track.

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

i thinking of getting some 15x4 ansen sprint mags from AKH are those good or should i look somewhere else https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Where might them wheels get beadblasted?...BKH

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

This is kind of a long story so bare with me. Awhile back Joe put some real nice Atlas style mags wheels on e-bay for a certain amount, can't remember exactly? Anyway the fellow from AKH new I was looking for some real Atlas wheels for my Camaro. I get an e-mail from him saying that he just purchased a set and offered them to me. Little did I know that he was going to buy Joe's wheels and then resale them to me for a very inflated price! I just happened to go on e-bay and see these wheels for sale and I got a little suspicious. After talking to Joe and finding out this guy bought them as a "BUY IT NOW"! When I confronted the AKH guy he became very indignate! Before it was all over he refused to pay Joe for the wheels and he had to put them back up for sale. Joe, being the gentleman that he is, did not really pursue it any further and we both walked away learning a little bit about "integrity" https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bs.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...thumbsdown.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Most engine rebuild shops have a glass-bead blasting cabinet. As for restoring wheels yourself, try Nevr-Dull in a can (wadding) for the outer rim. It's a lot of elbow-grease but the results are immediate. Oh, and use adequate ventilation when you work with Nevr-Dull or you'll get quite a buzz. You can gently wire brush the spokes (GENTLY) to knock off any corrosion (steel wool works too) and paint them silver or ____? If the outer wheel (not the spoke area) is in good shape and needs no repair work I'd recommend skipping the cost of blasting and just clean the wheels up yourself.

As for buying the 15x4 mags, I guess it depends on what you want to do--what look you're trying to achieve. I'd assume that the price of the mags is somewhat high but AKH does nice work, in my experience anyway. Also, 4" wheels on a heavy car make decent handling a thing of the past. If you're going for the drag-race look then you're okay, just don't expect to go rat-racing up some canyon road, especially with something like a big-block Chevy up front. In my humble opinion, of course!

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Tom pretty much covered the whole "experience" I had with AKH. I could give a few more details in a PM if anyone is interested, but thats the story in a nutshell... as they say, buyer beware...(or seller beware in my case!) As for where you get wheels beadblasted, I really only recommend one place... its called "The Supercar Workshop", and they have a sweet beadblast cabinet...but the day i was there it was strictly "self service"... I must say I did a terrific job though... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif j/k
Thanks again Brian, your generousity and hospitality is ALWAYS appriciated... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif ...plus i get to eat lunch with "the parrot." https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Thanks for the replies guys!!!

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

I recommend my garage !!!

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

[ QUOTE ]
I really only recommend one place... its called "The Supercar Workshop",

[/ QUOTE ]

You mean "The last restoration shop on earth"? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Neat slogan. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Stop it...the guy is going to get a chapped butt !!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Just thought if I sucked up enough, Brian would let me use the shop. I am sure there are few things laying around that I could use on my Nova. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

If not, at least Rob and I did get one of the new Supercar Workshop sweatshirts. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

I knew that would get your day going !!! Now have your coffee.

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Just can not let a guy ease into a Monday morning, can you? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

What did you think of the Superbowl? The last 3 quarters were exciting. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

And how about Janet's performance? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

The pastie was the highlight of the game...my 7 year old got a stomach ache so I had to leave the party !!! Of course I lost on all the pools....get back to work now...no time to be goofing off around here.Marlin may see us.

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

I was putting my 2year old to bed, and missed the Janet 'hi-light' - oh well, I'm still hurting over the Eagles choking on the panthers, and fell asleep during the 3rd qtr https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

Oh, get back to work, or I'll call Charley up to revoke your sign-on https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...arleySucks.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

He's not watching...he's up to his ears in rusty Pontiac cylinders.!!!

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

For those that didn't see the Janet and Justin fiasco . . . here it is

http://www.drudgereport.com/mattjj.htm

View at your own disgression . . . https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...thumbsdown.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...thumbsdown.gif

I heard that they are both probably going to be banned from the Grammys . . . Good for them . . .

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Just goes to show that Michael isnt the only Jackson doing inapropriate things in front of kids!

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

I didn't know the damn thing was pinned on !

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Bob
Your so Vanilla......Got milk?

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Wasn't that "pastie" actually an NOS prototype miniature for the 1970 Sunburst Torque Thrust Wheel? (Nice segway back to carstuff, eh?)

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

Thanks... was wondering what Janet's boobies had to do with this thread... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif now I understand. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

SWEATSHIRT!! I'd be happy with a Front number plate, BRIAN!
RT https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: torque thrust type wheel restoration
 

I could hook you up Rick!..BKH https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smirk.gif