Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
02-05-2019, 01:40 PM
#1
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Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
Has anyone ever used Thirdgeranch.com’s wheel refurbishing service? That is the only place i can find to refurbish/restore my formula wheels. The price is $250 to refurbish a set of 4, (unpolished) which seems good. Not sure how much the shipping would add to the total price. Havent really contact any local shops yet but they all seem to just advertise newer wheels.
02-05-2019, 02:11 PM
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
Has anyone ever used Thirdgeranch.com’s wheel refurbishing service? That is the only place i can find to refurbish/restore my formula wheels. The price is $250 to refurbish a set of 4, (unpolished) which seems good. Not sure how much the shipping would add to the total price. Havent really contact any local shops yet but they all seem to just advertise newer wheels.
02-05-2019, 02:14 PM
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
Maybe try this.......https://wheelsamerica.com/retail-ser...pair-services/
02-05-2019, 02:18 PM
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
You may want to look local for a wheel repair company or local body shops/custom shops vs shipping them. One thing to consider cardid replacement brand, and OER reproduce these wheels now... your talking 800-900 a set but in factory clear coat.
Though I'm sure thirdgenranch will do a great job so if shipping isn't too bad, it may be worth it.
Though I'm sure thirdgenranch will do a great job so if shipping isn't too bad, it may be worth it.
02-05-2019, 02:20 PM
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
Has anyone ever used Thirdgeranch.com’s wheel refurbishing service? That is the only place i can find to refurbish/restore my formula wheels. The price is $250 to refurbish a set of 4, (unpolished) which seems good. Not sure how much the shipping would add to the total price. Havent really contact any local shops yet but they all seem to just advertise newer wheels.
02-05-2019, 02:41 PM
#7
Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
Has anyone ever used Thirdgeranch.com’s wheel refurbishing service? That is the only place i can find to refurbish/restore my formula wheels. The price is $250 to refurbish a set of 4, (unpolished) which seems good. Not sure how much the shipping would add to the total price. Havent really contact any local shops yet but they all seem to just advertise newer wheels.
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02-05-2019, 02:58 PM
#8
Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
For some reason I'm thinking Keystone offers a refurb service, mail in your wheels, pay the piper, receive refinished wheels. I think I'd probably talk to a few local body shops and see who they have repair wheels. I haven't looked recently, but I dealt with a small shop several years ago that could straighten bent wheels, weld up damage, blend it in, and refinish to look decent. Can't remember the name or even the name of the small town where they were located, but I remember it was cheap to have a wheel fixed. It was one of those local rumors, the guy who lives on top of a smoky mountain that can fix your busted wheel for 2 pigs and a chicken... If you need help, and if you can find him...
02-05-2019, 03:36 PM
#9
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
Shipping from Pitts. to Ohio shouldn't be too bad.
Heck, thats even a nice overnite roadtrip with the ol' lady and the hotrod!
Heck, thats even a nice overnite roadtrip with the ol' lady and the hotrod!
02-18-2019, 11:21 PM
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
So I got a quote to refinish from a local shop here...$129 each...plus $20 to unmount and mount the tires. So $596 to refinish wheels. I wasnt expecting quite that much. New ones go for $153 on rock auto just for an idea of new vs refinished. Getting a second quote from another company here to compare prices. I wish Hawks just made them in a 17” already and I would buy those and have the wide tire selection too.
02-19-2019, 05:01 PM
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
So I got a quote to refinish from a local shop here...$129 each...plus $20 to unmount and mount the tires. So $596 to refinish wheels. I wasnt expecting quite that much. New ones go for $153 on rock auto just for an idea of new vs refinished. Getting a second quote from another company here to compare prices. I wish Hawks just made them in a 17” already and I would buy those and have the wide tire selection too.
Do they have any before and after pics of wheels they've done?
02-21-2019, 01:27 PM
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
I just used rock auto as an example, but your point is valid for any repo wheels. I did get another quote from another local shop...$950...unreal. They said they have to send the wheels to the machine shop to have the faces refurbished, so i guess theyre also putting that cost on me. Wouldve thought a wheel repair company would be able to do that themselves.
03-08-2019, 09:10 PM
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
Why not do yourself
sand blast then a lil elbow grease paint clear or powder coat and bam
sand blast then a lil elbow grease paint clear or powder coat and bam
03-09-2019, 10:15 PM
#15
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
The goal is to get them back to “new” original finish. Didnt think that was possible without having them machined. Powder coat and paint will definitely not have the factory look. I know some people do the tedious polished surface themselves, but thats not the look im going for. As far as just sand blasting and re clearing, im not sure if that would or would not work. If the clear coat peeling is the problem on these wheels then removing that and reclearing might work.
03-10-2019, 02:43 PM
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
If it’s just clear coat then just remove clear and re clear them at local powder coat show.
Now if the clear is in bad shape and wear of the actual Metal occurred then would need maching and or sanding
depending on the look
local wheel repair shops should have capability to do the machining at least ones in Cali do
Now if the clear is in bad shape and wear of the actual Metal occurred then would need maching and or sanding
depending on the look
local wheel repair shops should have capability to do the machining at least ones in Cali do
03-10-2019, 02:53 PM
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
the factory finish have machine lines in them, unless you put it on a lathe and take a thin layer off you will loose this on any refinishing that requires metal work. If you do it at home you can do this.
Stripper to remove the clear coat
using buffing compounds of
80
220
320
Then here is the decision, use a high quality clear coat that will stand up to the heat and not yellow or keep going. If you clear it at this stage it will look very close to the factory, but without the machine lines.
Polishing to a shine will be followed with
Tripoli Compound
White Rouge Compound
Many of the places also sell refurbished wheels vs true aftermarket wheels. If you plan on driving the car personally I would say put the factory wheels in a safe place and throw on a good set of reproductions so if they get damaged they are replaceable. And since you live in the rust/salt/snow belt...
A drill and this is all you need and about 2 days to do all 4 wheels. Aircraft stripper and paint/clear of your choice.
https://www.eastwood.com/ew-wheel-sm...g-kit-438.html
Stripper to remove the clear coat
using buffing compounds of
80
220
320
Then here is the decision, use a high quality clear coat that will stand up to the heat and not yellow or keep going. If you clear it at this stage it will look very close to the factory, but without the machine lines.
Polishing to a shine will be followed with
Tripoli Compound
White Rouge Compound
Many of the places also sell refurbished wheels vs true aftermarket wheels. If you plan on driving the car personally I would say put the factory wheels in a safe place and throw on a good set of reproductions so if they get damaged they are replaceable. And since you live in the rust/salt/snow belt...
A drill and this is all you need and about 2 days to do all 4 wheels. Aircraft stripper and paint/clear of your choice.
https://www.eastwood.com/ew-wheel-sm...g-kit-438.html
Last edited by Aviator857; 03-10-2019 at 02:57 PM.
03-10-2019, 10:47 PM
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
Yea that would produce good results I have seen just stripping and clear powder coat but those wheels were in decent condition and no damage minus the aging and wear tear of original coating
but I also seen bad wheels where the top coat wore away due to neglect and then pitting and eroding of the metal occurs which you need to sand polish and or machine
and FYI polish wheels are a pain in the *** to keep looking nice
but I also seen bad wheels where the top coat wore away due to neglect and then pitting and eroding of the metal occurs which you need to sand polish and or machine
and FYI polish wheels are a pain in the *** to keep looking nice
03-13-2019, 11:50 AM
#19
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
Thanks for the info! Im just trying to get them looking close to factory. If I can get really close by polishing without getting the chrome/polish shine i’ll be happy. I’ll take a closer look at their condition tonight and maybe i’ll do the trip, sand and clear coat method.
03-13-2019, 09:17 PM
#20
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
There is quite a few people on here that have posted about doing it themselves in good detail. I would think heavily on that option IMHO.... I would also read some post about anyone or any service you were thinking about using (before) deciding on also. Make an informed decision because there is alot of good information on here to do so on both 
03-14-2019, 09:37 AM
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Re: Thirdgen Ranch wheel refurbishing service
Forgot to mention 2k clear coat spray paint it’s 2 parts has hardener and highly recommended
mid you do your self prob save 100 off powder coat as wheels like that and size and to strip
should around 250 ish depending on how much they charge to strip and labor
mid you do your self prob save 100 off powder coat as wheels like that and size and to strip
should around 250 ish depending on how much they charge to strip and labor
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