Restoring Stock 2000 4Runner Rims

[MartinC]

Hello, im new to the 4Runner forms. I was just wondering what I should do with these rims. I bought this car from the dealership and over the years the wheels have developed this hard, white deposit. I wanted to finally do something about it, so i was wondering how to restore them. Should i sand and repaint? sand blast? Im not sure.

Thanks for all the help!
MartinC

Sorry for the poor quality:
4Runner Rims - Album on Imgur
4runner rims - Album on Imgur
4runner rims - Album on Imgur
4runner rims - Album on Imgur
4runner rims - Album on Imgur

 

[Eagle Dad]

I have been researching this problem also. I believe this is the clear coat basically going bad on the rims. It appears that applying a paint stripper for about 15 minutes will take it off of them. Then after cleaning it off really well, lightly sand and then primer application. There are several u tube videos on this exact technique. I hope this helps ya!

 

[Quadsbc]

Easiest would be blast and powdercoat, or buy aftermarket wheels for about the same cost. The corrosion will take a long time to strip by hand. The stripper works ok, I ended up giving up on it and sold the set of wheels as is.

 

[MrRoo]

Have the wheels sand blasted. I did mine and painted with Dupli-color wheel paint and clear. They turned out as good as new. Ive done several sets like this with great results. One set is going on 4 years now through the bad winters also. No peeling or fading.

 

[csp]

Don't have them sandblasted, have them media blasted.

There's a huge difference between the two in terms of damage to the parts themselves.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Don't have them sandblasted, have them media blasted.

There's a huge difference between the two in terms of damage to the parts themselves.

im sorry but what is the problem with Sand Blasting?

ive done it on my OEM wheels and they painted perfectly smooth.

A good Snadblasting shop should be able to do the work without damaging the wheel.

 

[csp]

It depends on the grade of sand you're blasting with.

Using certain grades of sand will deform the base metal and roughen it up. Sand can even be so aggressive that it can deform sheetmetal.

A good sandblasting shop will look at what the material is along with the use and pick the correct media to blast with. The good sandblasting shops typically call themselves media blasters.

 

[Scramble]

You cant use sand on aluminum, its too soft. You need to use some other media. I had my split 3's done for $100 & they came out beautiful. I primed, painted & cleared myself because professional powder coat or paint would have been cost prohibitive on wheels I don't love or plan on keeping. At least now I'll get a decent dollar when I sell them on CL.

 

[C-RAIG]

I just refinished a set. I used paint stripper to strip the clear coat. Lightly sanded and repainted them. They came out great.

 

[MrRoo]

Don't have them sandblasted, have them media blasted.

There's a huge difference between the two in terms of damage to the parts themselves.

If you want to be picky about the term "sandblasting". Ive been doing this stuff for years. Its just a word. Using softer "media" sometimes does not etch the metal enough for paint to adhere.. Ask me how I know. Know the material your working with and go from there. There are several types of blasting material. Use whats best for the project.

 

[Brian757]

If you want to be picky about the term "sandblasting". Ive been doing this stuff for years. Its just a word. Using softer "media" sometimes does not etch the metal enough for paint to adhere.. Ask me how I know. Know the material your working with and go from there. There are several types of blasting material. Use whats best for the project.

Haha, I was about to say. Isn't sand a form of media?

 

[csp]

So what happens to the guy that doesn't know the difference, goes and buys himself a cheap sandblaster at Harbor Freight, and ruins his wheels because he read on the internet to sandblast them?

MrRoo this isn't about how you know. It's for the guy who doesn't know any better.

That's the point of being picky.

 

[BrianSD_42]

so basically if you are paying someone to do the work it will be fine.

if you are doing it yourself then be careful what type of material you blast it with.

i had my wheels sand blasted by a shop and it came out great.

did i inspect the sand or other material first? no. i assume it was sand.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Sand blasting and media blasting are not the same and not interchangeable terms.

Sandblasting uses silica sand and yes, can do damage especially on aluminum or other soft metals.

Media blasting (crushed acorn shells, plastic media, soda ash) is much more forgiving and done properly almost never damages the object being blasted.

You are not going to ruin an aluminum wheel by sandblasting it but you will leave a grain in it whereas media blasting will will return the item to its original surface texture.

How gentle can media blasting be? I had the nose section on a Z-28 I was restoring plastic blasted to remove 3 coats of paint from prior damage and all it needed was a primer coat before paint. That's how perfect it came back.

As far as chemical strippers go - good in some cases but I think your wheels need a bit more. That corrosion/electrolysis is past the clear coat and into the aluminum IMO.

 

[amalik]

Don't have them sandblasted, have them media blasted.

There's a huge difference between the two in terms of damage to the parts themselves.

Can you recommend a shop in our area? And also, how much would it be for 4 wheels (estimate if you know) ?

 

[csp]

Blast Tech in Englewood. Blast Tech

Sorry don't work for them, not going to estimate a price.

 

[satek]

If you wanna go below $10, 2 cans of plastidip is king. I've probably had mine for about 7-8 months now and their in tip top condition still.

My rims weren't pretty either, but not as bad as yours.

I didn't even prep the wheels that much either, just cleaned them with water and paper towels (not even soap).