torque thrust type wheel restoration

**k92** · #1 02-01-2004, 03:35 AM

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?

Belair62 · #2 02-01-2004, 04:30 AM

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

camarojoe · #3 02-01-2004, 06:15 AM

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!

**427TJ** · #4 02-01-2004, 06:47 AM

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.

T Billigen · #5 02-01-2004, 03:57 PM

Hey Joe! Does tha AKH Wheels sound familiar?

Belair62 · #6 02-01-2004, 04:12 PM

Remember some of these wheels are thin cast...re-machining them can cause failure...AKH can re-machine the backs of the wheels too !!!

camarojoe · #7 02-01-2004, 05:05 PM

Yeah Tom it sure does

... 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.

**427TJ** · #8 02-01-2004, 05:37 PM

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.

musclcar · #9 02-02-2004, 03:12 AM

i thinking of getting some 15x4 ansen sprint mags from AKH are those good or should i look somewhere else

**bkhpah** · #10 02-02-2004, 03:37 AM

Where might them wheels get beadblasted?...BKH