[TR] Refurbishing wire wheels

[davewillner]

John,

I had my original set of wires on the MGB blasted and powder coated by a 
very reputable coater last February, the wheels looked fantastic, perfect 
warm grey color, matched to a tee.  After about 2 months I had noticed that 
around the nipples rust had started creeping out pretty much on every wheel 
and every spoke. There is no way any type of blasting can get in there so 
any and all of the rust will eventually creep out and up the spoke and 
around the nipple, looks now actually worse than before I had the work done. 
Pretty expensive lesson.

I would recommend to have them painted and clear coated, I'm sure there are 
people on the list that would disagree, but that's my experience. I'm not 
sure at this point the best method and process to correct mine, I'm thinking 
of having them blasted, sprayed with a rust encapsulator, i.e. POR 15 type 
product, Eastwoods, etc. and then have them painted. If I had known, I would 
of just had them resprayed. My .02

Dave Willner
Stroudsburg, PA
59 TR3A Apple Green
70 MGB BRG
70 BSA 441 Victor Special

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Macartney" <standardtriumph at btinternet.com>
To: <triumphs at autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 8:48 AM
Subject: [TR] Refurbishing wire wheels


> My younger son has just acquired a somewhat pristine (almost) Spitfire 
> 'competitor' that will soon be moving into the family. Though I say it 
> myself, it'll be fun to again be at the wheel of a Midget again, 
> especially one with an 'A' series engine. Sorry, Mr. Curry - but I'm a 
> great Spridget enthusiast as well! The query I have of you all concerns 
> the refurbishing of the wire wheels.
> At some stage in the past they've been repainted (sprayed) and the end 
> result isn't too pleasing on the eye. I feel the best route is to have 
> them shot-blasted all over and then powder coated. Before taking that 
> serendipitous journey, I wondered if anyone else has done this 
> previously - as I'm sure someone has.
> I'm just too busy to spend time probing the 'archivives' to check. 
> Obviously, I plan to give the blasted wheels a thorough visual check 
> between blasting and re-colouring but am just a bit curious of how they 
> might look when powder coated. What I want to avoid at all costs is what I 
> can best describe as 'chunky spokes' - especially where one spoke may 
> cross over another. I doubt this would happen but just thought I'd ask 
> those who have previously BTDT.
> Off list replies probably better as some purists might flame me for MG 
> Midget issues cluttering up a Triumph list!
>
> Jonmac
>
> Originator of The Triumph Trans-America Charity Drive 2009
> www.triumphtransamerica.org.uk
>
> An event for full TRIUMPH Enthusiast participation