torque thrust type wheel restoration

[T Billigen]

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"

[427TJ]

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!

[camarojoe]

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... j/k
Thanks again Brian, your generousity and hospitality is ALWAYS appriciated... ...plus i get to eat lunch with "the parrot."

[k92]

Thanks for the replies guys!!!

[Belair62]

I recommend my garage !!!

[sYc]

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

[/ QUOTE ]

You mean "The last restoration shop on earth"?

Neat slogan.

[Belair62]

Stop it...the guy is going to get a chapped butt !!!

[sYc]

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.

If not, at least Rob and I did get one of the new Supercar Workshop sweatshirts.

[Belair62]

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

[sYc]

Just can not let a guy ease into a Monday morning, can you?

What did you think of the Superbowl? The last 3 quarters were exciting.

And how about Janet's performance?