Satin Finish on new rims

[usa-69z]

Ive got my self a set of rims recently in full polish ..,and now im not too fussed on the bling factor..Im wondering if its possible to give the centers a satin finish with a real lustre like new satin rims have ? can it be done ? i am trying to sell them on ebay but no luck,,,,i may have to live with them..

[USAZR1]

Powdercoat with a different finish?

[driftinblzr]

Could you mask them off really well and bead blast the area that you want satin finished?

Later, Doug

[jy211]

they look fine to me....

[BossaNova]

Paint the centers of those beautiful wheels to match the stripes on your car.
Just one man's opinoin.

[MikeDVC]

I just painted the center of my wheels using this http://www.duplicolor.com/products/wheel.html

They turned out very nice. There was an article on this paint in PHR a while back, they used this paint on Steve's Ford and the Chevelle project car

[BA.]

I normally hate blingy bling but dude, those wheels look great against that red paint. Seriously. ...and they should look good against the chrome on the quarter-panel louver things too.

[usa-69z]

Could you mask them off really well and bead blast the area that you want satin finished?

Later, Doug

Is it bead blasted to get the true satin finish? theres a nice lustre to it on the high end rims

Dosnt look like any of the wheel guys are gunna give the secrets away

[Rybar]

Gav, those wheels look pretty sweet as is. If you want to tone them down paint or powder coat the centers black or charcoal.

[Yoda4561]

Is it bead blasted to get the true satin finish? theres a nice lustre to it on the high end rims

Dosnt look like any of the wheel guys are gunna give the secrets away

Very careful application of a fine scotchbrite pad (the abrasive ones, not the kitchen ones) will give a "true" brushed finish. Move the pad in only one direction and use long strokes when possible. Bead blasting can give you anything from a coarse matte look to a very fine satiny luster, depending on the blast media and pressure used.

[Ron L]

There are no "secrets". Paint or powder coat it a satin color of your choice, or use a satin clear coat.

How about an example of these satin wheels you like so we can see what you mean.

[usa-69z]

Ok heres what i have now...



heres sum rushforth satins

[muthstryker]

The wheels look good but like you, I love a brushed center/satin look 10x better then completly chrome. I will take brushed/satin over straight chrome anyday.

[usa-69z]

the thing is these days the polish they are getting is like chrome ..When i purchased these rims from the pic in the catalogue i now can see they were photoshoped .Spokes look thinner (depth) and centre finish was definatly different.

[Lenie]

I think what you have looks very good but like everything it's personal preference. Good luck.

[Yoda4561]

No they were super shiny in the picture too, it's all in the lighting, and camera angles. You can see the lip reflected in the center. Looks like the wheel itself was shot in a well lit white backdrop, makes it difficult to get an impression on how the wheel will look in the real world. If that picture were lower in quality it would be impossible to distinguish between satin and polished centers.

[classiccardude69]

Damn those look good!

[Ron L]

Yeah that catalog pic looks like it was taken in a white photo booth. It looks satin because there is nothing to reflect, except perhaps the satin white sheets used for the photo booth.

The satin Rushforth you posted looks like a brushed/machined center with clear over it. The hoops on my wheels are done this way and have a similar look to those centers. Not quite satin, not quite polished.

[Bryce]

satin=scotchbrite pad. I have used sandpaper as well. all the aluminum on my car is satin finish. My dash, valve covers, air cleaner, core support. My centerline wheels. i did all of it myself. good luck. If you dont like it you can always polish the wheels again.

[cudacam]

I went with a satin center. I thought the polished center would have been a bit to much for me.