I have a set of Ralley (sp?) Wheels and would like to clean them up. I do not have to go factory correct, but I hear its Argent Silver color - but is it black on the back or more Argent? Where do you get the paint or similiar colr. What are suggested steps. What type of coating is appropriate for the inside of the rim?
I was initially going to sandblast and have powder coated a close color. I am open to your thoughts/suggestions?
The factory dip-primed them semi-gloss black, then sprayed the face with argent silver wheel enamel; the back side of the wheel remained semi-gloss black.
I recomend the sand blasting part whatever color you decide to paint them. When I was restoring my 70, the shop estimated that there were 14 coats of argent silver on the wheels. Apparently, the previous owners just sprayed a coat on top each time the wheels would get to looking ratty.
I just "restored" two rallys. These posts are accurate, but according to the NCRS guide, in '68 and '69 the Argent had a "greenish tint" to the paint. I don't know how close you need to get to original, but the paint I used doesn't have any greenish tint.
Additionally, the cleaning up of these wheels is tough; the seam where the inner is welded to the cylinder (on the outside, silver side) is an absolute bi7ch to get clean. I used dental tools and sewing needles to clean out the seam (a lot of gunk resides there) and although I got it completely clean, the paint still collected in that "valley" and looks a little crusty. I think there may have been some type of sealant used in combination with the welds that you just really can't get out of that tiny little seam. You may be able to avoid the "pooling" of the paint if you stand them up on their edge to paint them.
The good news is that from the factory, these babies looked pretty bad. They were hung on a hook through the valve hole to paint. The NCRS guide goes on to read that the paint was applied poorly and it is not unusual to have runs and drips.
Hi
The last set i did
1 Remove Tire, Valve stem, and wheel weights
2 Blast wheel to clean metal both sides
3 prime wheel with Black etching primer
4 paint front side with argent silver correct for your year
* note only overspray of silver on back side of wheel do not paint silver
on back
I just "restored" two rallys. These posts are accurate, but according to the NCRS guide, in '68 and '69 the Argent had a "greenish tint" to the paint. I don't know how close you need to get to original, but the paint I used doesn't have any greenish tint.
Additionally, the cleaning up of these wheels is tough; the seam where the inner is welded to the cylinder (on the outside, silver side) is an absolute bi7ch to get clean. I used dental tools and sewing needles to clean out the seam (a lot of gunk resides there) and although I got it completely clean, the paint still collected in that "valley" and looks a little crusty. I think there may have been some type of sealant used in combination with the welds that you just really can't get out of that tiny little seam. You may be able to avoid the "pooling" of the paint if you stand them up on their edge to paint them.
The good news is that from the factory, these babies looked pretty
bad. They were hung on a hook through the valve hole to paint. The
NCRS guide goes on to read that the paint was applied poorly and it is
not unusual to have runs and drips.
This is so true.
After I sand blasted my wheels, I blew them off with compressed air,
in every nook and cranny and still, sand showed up when I painted
them. I didn't touch them while I applied several light coats of
Eastwood Argent Silver; the sand found it's way out.
Like the previous poster stated, the factory paint job, the wheels and
even the bodies was not the best. If your patient and have attention to
detail, your paint job will be 100% better than what Chevrolet did.
Rudy
__________________
Rudy's 1970 Chevrolet Corvette L46 350/350 Hp
4-speed 2 top convertible
None of the Argent Silver paints from the normal suppliers will match the original 69 wheel color. I bought paint from four different sources and finally gave up. I have sold the car, and the new owner found an original wheel and had paint mixed to match it.
Corvette Store
Restoring Ralley Wheels
