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Sandblast Torque Thrust IIs ?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Johnny99, Nov 8, 2008.

  1. Johnny99
    Joined: Nov 5, 2006
    Posts: 1,068

    Johnny99
    Member

    Anybody out there ever beadblasted or sandblasted the spokes on a set of polished Torque Thrust IIs to give em more of a cast look? If so were you happy with the results?
    Thanks John
     
  2. pan-dragger
    Joined: Sep 13, 2006
    Posts: 3,186

    pan-dragger
    Member

    yeah, i've doe a few sets for customers over the years, they look good, for a torq-thrust II.
     
  3. Remember to use virgin sand or glass bead. Otherwise, you're just blasting rust into the metal and after a few days it will look all spotty!
     
  4. Dave'29Ford
    Joined: Mar 7, 2008
    Posts: 34

    Dave'29Ford
    Member
    from NE England

    I've been thinking about this idea. Any pictures of the results would be appreciated? Cheers
    Dave
     

  5. Big Dad
    Joined: Dec 20, 2005
    Posts: 4,773

    Big Dad
    Member

    Option two ..powder coat
     
  6. Johnny99
    Joined: Nov 5, 2006
    Posts: 1,068

    Johnny99
    Member

    Talked to a local blaster, he had a set of Beemer wheels with the spokes blasted, had a nice soft gray kinda cast look to em. Yep Dad I will either paint or powder coat the spokes after blasting. Cool avatar Dad, those were the days. John
     
  7. My powder coater has a color actually called "Bead blast aluminum". Even makes cast steel parts look like virgin blasted aluminum. Does not look fake at all!
     
  8. tommy
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 14,757

    tommy
    Member Emeritus

    [​IMG]

    The color of the spoke is a personal choice but I like the stainless steel detailing spray cans. To my eye it more closely matches the as cast aluminum spoke wheels of the day. If the wheel had polished spokes it's hard to get the surface texture of the cast spoke wheels.
     
  9. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 7,419

    A Boner
    Member

    Check out the Dec. 2008 issue of the "GOODGUYS GAZETTE" page 136. I sandblasted the dished part of the wheels on my modified. They were 100% polished aluminum like the outer lips still are. After I blasted them, I took some mag polish and rubbed it on the outer lip to get the rag black.........then rubbed this blackend polish on the blasted surface to darken it. Just blasting them, they are kind of light and new looking.

    I would try it on a small spot on the back of your wheels, just to be safe.
     
  10. any before and after pix...would like to see the finished product...might be a cool way to go
     
  11. SOCAL PETE
    Joined: Oct 19, 2006
    Posts: 1,204

    SOCAL PETE
    Member
    from Ramona CA

    Glass beading and soda blasting will give you good results.
     
  12. Johnny99
    Joined: Nov 5, 2006
    Posts: 1,068

    Johnny99
    Member

    You guys are going talk me into this! John
     
  13. Johnny99
    Joined: Nov 5, 2006
    Posts: 1,068

    Johnny99
    Member

    Finally got around to doing this. Started by blasting some samples of aluminum plate and trying different paints. Did'nt like the look of any of the paint I tried and went the Gibbs oil route. I am happy:) with the results. I went with a industrial blast to try and get a little bit more texture/cast look to the spokes. One layer of masking tape and three layers of duct tape to keep the blaster from wiping out my wheels.
    Have a nice weekend, John
     

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