TR2/3/3A Wheel Finish

[DavidApp]

I have just removed the 1988 tires from my rims. Pity they had a lot of tread and no visible cracks.

What is the best way to finish the rims before I have tires mounted on them? Sand blast and paint or have them powder coated.

Any thoughts on tire make to go with the TR look. I have seen Nexen mentioned on the forum but got "Not much of a tire" from the tire shop.

David

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi David,

On my stock TR6 rims, I sandblasted, primed and then painted with Eastwood Argent Silver. I also clear coated them with their diamond coat clear. Same process for the stock TR3 wheels.

Cheers
Tush

 

[DavidApp]

Hello Tush

Thank you.

Inside and out?

David

 

[Rut]

Hi David,

On my stock TR6 rims, I sandblasted, primed and then painted with Eastwood Argent Silver. I also clear coated them with their diamond coat clear. Same process for the stock TR3 wheels.

Cheers
Tush

If it's a post war LBC with original silver painted wheels, Ford Argent Silver is probably the best paint to match the original. I've not used the clear coat, but that sounds like a very good idea and I'll try it on a couple of Bugeye wheels I just painted. I used VHT Ford Argent Silver vs the Eastwood product and I'm pleased with it as well.
Rut

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi David,

I did sandblast both the front and backside of the rim. I primed and painted the rear of the rims with a silver rust oleum paint though. the Eastwood paint can get expensive so I saved that for the front side of the rims.

Cheers
Tush

 

[TomMull]

I agree with all above except clear coat. The shiny wet look does not look right to me, of course just personal preference. Tom

 

[DavidApp]

Thanks for the input.

When i said inside I was referring to the part of the rim that the tire covers. I would presume paint it all.

What make of tires are you running Tush? The ones I had pulled off looked like cross ply, narrow and straight walls. Should have got a photo while they were still mounted.

David

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi David,

No I didn't paint the inside. The only thing I did was check for corrosion around the valve stem opening. Sanded lightly and hit it with a bit of the rust paint.

Are you asking about the tires on my 6 or on my 3?

Cheers
Tush

 

[PatGalvin]

I had all five rims blasted and powder coated. It was about $300 total, which was a lot. But my rims were pretty rough and I couldn't fit them in my blast cabinet or my oven. The power coating is bullet proof tough, so I expect it will last a very long time and no chipping. Just a data point for Northern CA costs.

pat

 

[DavidApp]

Hello Tush/Pat

Tires on your TR3.

There is a local Powder coating company that I will check with for price. Sounds like you are pleased with the results of the powder coating.

David

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi David,

I am running khumo soulus on the 3A, 195/60/15

Cheers
Tush

 

[DavidApp]

Hello Tush

Thank you.

Does that size tire fit in the spare compartment? How do they look on the TR?

David

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi David,

No. They don't fit in the spare tire compartment. I have a 165 mounted for the spare. I like the look of the tires on the car. I had 205's on it for a little while on wider rims and they looked at little too wide.

Cheers
Tush

 

[DavidApp]

Hello Tush

Thank you.

So the 165 fits the spare compartment.
I suppose the downside of having different size tires is one does not get worn as you can't rotate them. Did you go for 195s for handling or looks?

David

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Yes, I went with the 195's for both handling and looks. The car has some suspension mods, oversized sway bars front/rear, competition springs in the rear, Koni adjustable shocks up front, bronze bushings in the rear etc so I wanted something a little wider with a little more traction.

Cheers
Tush

 

[Popeye]

I had an outfit sandblast, epoxy primer and a poly topcoat all five steel wheels on my TR4A. $75 / wheel. I think that is fair, and not inexpensive, considering the three steps of the process plus materials.

 

[3798j]

I had an outfit sandblast, epoxy primer and a poly topcoat all five steel wheels on my TR4A. $75 / wheel. I think that is fair, and not inexpensive, considering the three steps of the process plus materials.

My goodness that sounds like a great deal.

As far as clear coating opinons (I've got no dog in this fight), if it were me, I'd clear coat. At high end shows, there's always seems to be a Jag or such with Dunlop knock offs that have that same argent color. When they've got a clear coat, they really pop. I know it's not original, but it sure looks cool.

with:



without:

 

[DavidApp]

Just checked with the powder coat company and they charge $100.00 per wheel.

David

 

[SteveBones]

Not sure of your budget. I used the silver paint from moss motors (TR3A rims). I did not clear coat but the moss paint provides a nice shine. I sanded and used navel jelly to remove rust beforehand.....that was not fun, but the price was right. I can send pictures if interested. I have one of wheels off of the car so would be easy enough to do. If you can afford it, would be best to have someone else do it. More of a time issue. The results from a doing it yourself can be quite good.

 

[mgedit]

I used 165x80 Kumhos on my 56 TR3. Not sure year of your car, but in my 56 the spare tire compartment on early cars is narrower. Not at home now, but I had to get a narrower tire for spare on a stock rim. Don't recall size off top of my head. Cheers, Mike