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Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 5:02 pm
by Charles Veres
Any advise on this topic? 1964 Grand Prix - I am starting with something while I mass parts for the rest of the restoration. As for the wheels I was wondering if anyone has had the steel wheel parts re chromed if so where? It looks like it would be hard to do and or expensive. The kart came with 5s on the rear and I had to ebay the 4s for the front. I assume that I should glass bead the alum and clear it.

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:29 pm
by Rob Voska
Try soda or plastic beading first. They usually come out very well.

Yes chrome is expensive! There are guys that specialize in custom chrome like bike shops, hotrod guys etc..... The triple plate is overdone but you could just try a flash crome like they were to start with.

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 10:28 am
by Bill Whitelaw
Do not glass bead the wheels, the will come out looking like masonry. Plastic or Soda is best as Rob has stated. Try Metal-Brite in Dayton Ohio. 1-937-278-9739. They will either triple chrome or will “flash” nickel/chrome as you wish. The triple chrome finish looks great but is not what they used when they were manufactured. Metal-Brite is reasonably priced.

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 4:19 pm
by Steve Suppa
That brings up a question I have been thinking about. Were the turbine wheels ever painted from the factory or were they left raw aluminum?
Thanks.

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:17 pm
by Rob Voska
Raw but lots of times the painted wheels were "protected" and clean up great..... after all the work of getting the paint off without messing up the wheel.

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:43 pm
by Steve Suppa
O.K. Rob. Thanks for the info.

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:51 pm
by REAR
Have not tried them but this looks promising.

http://vaporblastsolutions.com/

R.E.A.R.

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2014 12:17 pm
by ted johnson
Rob and Bob. Thanks for the pointer to Vapor Blast Solutions. I'll send this next Libberton 610 to them and see what they can do before I send it off to Bonbright. Pruit Ginsberg lives right down the Interstate from them in Los Alamos, and he's planning to take some parts down there to get them cleaned. We'll keep you informed. I already sent them some pix of the 610 for a quote. Thanks. Ted

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2014 6:17 pm
by REAR
Teddy,

Sounds like a plan. Will be looking forward to your evaluation.

Happy Thanksgiving...R.E.A.R.

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2014 7:08 pm
by Steve Suppa
Just a side note. I had two vintage Japanese cylinder heads Vapor blasted and they came back looking NOS brand new.
The results truly were amazing!