I am considering having my wheels restored by a professional shop and was wondering if anyone can share their experience bringing these wheels back to new condition.
My wheels are not peeling or corroded, and have never seen winter driving. The main problem is that the clear just seems to have deteriorated over time resulting in a cracked look depending on the angle you view the wheel.

I am interested in:
1. The correct GM color code for the silver/gray used on the inside of he spokes.
2. There are 25 holes drilled in the outside of the rim inset with what appear to be 5/16 hex heads painted black.
How are these fastened to the wheel - do they thread out? How do shops restore these? What color were they originally?

Thanks

 

Most wheel refinishing companies, will just strip, repaint, remachine, and apply a fresh clear coat.

Chances are if the only problem is crazing in the clearcoat, the wheels will look worse after refinishing.

 

Here is company that does a great job and will match the factory specs, if you want...

I prefer clear powder coat, as opposed to clear coat paint... & they can do that if you want... that metal light looks really cool too

Here is topic about wheels...

http://www.knightfoundation.net/foru...t=6285&start=0

Raf

 

Thanks Drew for the insight, what would cause them to look worse after the old cracked clear coat is stripped off & new clear coat is applied?
Thanks

 

http://wheelcollision.com/pontiac5.htm
http://www.lakeshorewheelandtire.com/
I have sets from each supplier and they look great. Check them out. Decent price too.
Mark

 

Because the methods and equipment that most wheel refinishing companies use, will not replicate the original finish. They may look better, but it's highly unlikely that the end result will be identical to OEM.

 

Don't let that turn you away through...
In my case, the clear powder coat is a blessing... the factory clear coat paint still left a rough cast, catching all sorts of brake dust, turning dirty quickly and a paint to clean... now with the clear powder coat, it's not rough anymore and it cleans easily with soapy water... I think they look better than factory, but, yes, correct, they do not look authentic factory...



Raf

 

No clear coat please !
just wet sand and then polish !
bare aluminium ! then polish every 2 or 3 months
i did mine in 2002 they still look like mirror !!!
look for some 2002 post of mine !
there is a step by step guide

 

Where is my brain? For smooth aluminum, polish is best...
If you don't want to polish occasionally, Zoop Seal sells a sealer for polished aluminum that keeps it nice for 2 years or so...

 

1) the wheels were NOT polished, I have seen this done and I think they look like crap, it is to much shine for a car which otherwise has no other chrome.
2) If you want to do it yourself, then you have to find a way to spin the wheel while you work on it.
3) Any good paint shop should be able to get the correct silver paint for the wheels. It should be in your RPO codes in your center console. It will be a code like 13P or 12P, what ever the first two numbers, the last letter HAS to be a "P" that will be your Wheel color.
4) as for clear coating, keep in mind that Aircraft are often painted without problems and they are ALL aluminum, except for some cloth aircraft of long ago and some composite newer aircraft. If you paint the wheels you have to Etch them with acid first. THat is what I have learned a few years ago. Keep in mind that technology is evolving and this may no longer be the case.

You might try hitman at http://www.78ta.com/89ta/index.htm He does late 2nd gen restorations and I know he does wheels, My bet would be that he would do a good job, as I have seen his work at some shows. I know he wanted to get into the 3rd gen eventually, but he should have the know how and the tools to do your wheels...

John