Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Charles Veres · Post by **Charles Veres** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 5:02 pm

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.

Rob Voska · Post by **Rob Voska** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:29 pm

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.

Bill Whitelaw · Post by **Bill Whitelaw** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 10:28 am

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.

Steve Suppa · Post by **Steve Suppa** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 4:19 pm

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.

Rob Voska · Post by **Rob Voska** » Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:17 pm

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.

Steve Suppa · Post by **Steve Suppa** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:43 pm

O.K. Rob. Thanks for the info.

REAR · Post by **REAR** » Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:51 pm

Have not tried them but this looks promising.

http://vaporblastsolutions.com/

R.E.A.R.

ted johnson · Post by **ted johnson** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 12:17 pm

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

REAR · Post by **REAR** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 6:17 pm

Teddy,

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

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

Steve Suppa · Post by **Steve Suppa** » Sat Nov 22, 2014 7:08 pm

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!

Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine

Re: Wheel Restoration - Rupp Turbine