I can purchase a good set of alu. wheels very cheap but they look rather scratchy.
Has any of you guys have experience with sandblasting alu. wheels ?

Morning Cita,
I would have thought sand blasting is a bit harsh, but i suppose depends on pressure and type of grit.
Many tyre centers have a facility for alloy wheel refurbishment, great results but quite pricey.

John

Bead-blasting is what you need!

You might also like to consider one of the many wheel refurbishment companies - do a google. (search for Superlite, for example).

By the time you've totted up the cost of bead blasting, problem fixing and plastic coating/respraying you'll be well on the way towards the cost of a professional job anyway.

If the wheels are nice, it's worth getting the job done nicely (if they're not, then a can of wheel paint is all you need! )

David

Cita

As David mentioned, bead-blasting (or glass-beading depending on local lingo) is what you're looking for.

Bead blasting isn't very "aggressive" though, if you've got old paint or powdercoat on parts of the wheel it's best to go over them with Aircraft Stripper (nasty, horrible stuff, outdoors, gloves & mask) first.

Clean up any deep scratches with emery or a stone, then get them bead blasted to clean off any oxidation and give a nice even matte finish -- then you can either spray clear or a color or send them off to a powder coating place.

Best to wear gloves after bead blasting as fingerprints will stain the fresh Ali finsh.

You can also polish them to a sheen (after bead-blast, before paint) if you're into that sort of thing. Only worthwhile if they've cleaned up near perfect though as polishing will highlight any flaws.

Cheers, Ted

Crushed appicot shell is a more suitable blasting media for ligh alloys

I find that german black cherry (kirsche) gives a better texture

Jantaneuf in Anderlecht (rue Bollinckx, 47 - 1070 Brussels).
I made this 10 years ago. It was cheap and job was well done. My wheels really looked as new.
They use sand first , then glass balls, then painting. I tought wheels were only anodized but in most cases they are painted and anodization is only used as a painting primer. So their PU painting looks exactly like new.

Many thanks Aloupol!!!!!!

My cousin lives in Ukkel so i'm gonna give him a call to get some info.