Best process to restore wheels?

[Natejc_98 20]

I’m looking for the recommended process to restore old wheels from grinding to sanding to painting. Also what tools are preferred in the process?

[AlexR 3,052]

I always just use a cordless drill with wire brushes to get it down to bare metal, after that clean well with acetone or similar residue free liquid to clean surface for primer. 

Rust-Oleum primer and then after that dries Rust-Oleum cottage white. Can also use a gloss clear if you wish. 

 

Sometimes if there is extra paint or lots of rust I will use a 4 1/2 grinder with a wire brush attachment to more quickly clean it up. 

Edited 7 hours ago by AlexR

[EB-80/8inPA 2,020]

I had a set of rusty old wheels I picked up a while back that need pressed into service now that I need to re-shoe the B-80.  Decided to prep, paint, mount them, and then simply swap out the old ones. Although I do have a wire brush attachment that fits the weed wacker (and it does do some really mean grinding work), I opted to get the set of four sandblasted locally for $40 and forego the mess.  I’ll use my lazy susan painting thingy to spin and spray them (once the humidity drops).

Many here swear by inserting playing cards around the rim after mounting the tires and before a final spray to leave a nice clean finish unmarred by tools.  I will be trying that or some similar masking technique.

I hope to need nothing other than a set of tire spoons to mount the rims and will install tubes from the get go.  Will post pics once done (could be a while but I do anticipate finishing up before @ebinmaine completes his Colossus project).

For paint color, all I can say is:

Good luck and have fun!

Edited 6 hours ago by EB-80/8inPA

[Ed Kennell 46,449]

1 hour ago, EB-80/8inPA said:

Many here swear by inserting playing cards around the rim

          The playng cards work for me.

[ebinmaine 79,467]

We've tried several methods. 

Hand sanding starting with 80 grit works well to break out the really rough stuff. 

After that it's your wire brush of choice or sand flap wheels. 

 

Definitely recommend the acetone just before painting. That too removes some rust.  

Color here is Rust-Oleum 2X Cottage White.