SBP Keystone diy restoration

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matthon

matthon

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I want to use these but I'm concerned about the centers.
The aluminum looks fairly oxidized in areas.
I don't see any cracks.
This is new territory for me, and having them restored is not an option, yet I can't let them go or toss either.

Can I sandblast without them disintegrating?
Is there anything I can do to 'fix' the centers, remove or fill in the pits/lost aluminum?

Are they potentially not safe to use, too far gone?

I'm not really concerned with making them shiny chrome again.

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You can cut up the welds on the backside. Push out the center and send it to someone who can take off the chrome. Have them polished and rechrome them. The rim can re sanded and the rechromed . Then push back the centerdome in the the rim, align it and re-weld it and the wheels are brand new. I have dome it on one set 13x5.5 Cragar S/S wheels and is currently working on the second set.
 
I've checked for cracks, expected to find some, or at least one, but nothing.
I will definitely check again, and around the center.

In the first pic, the areas in red below are a good example of the deterioration.

The top shows the inside edge with a definitive line in the casting where it is raised right before it meets the rim.
The left side is where a piece just flaked off, taking chrome and aluminum with it. The line is still visible but there really isn't a ridge there anymore.

It also took some of the depth away because the black inner edges go beyond the back side, they are raised above the back of the rim.

In the second pic, the area in red shows the missing edge, the blue shows the edge intact or partially intact.

If I sandblast or even hand sand, there is missing material.

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I'm doing the same..found chrome 14" trim rings to cover the rust on lips..mine aren't cracked either...I'm missing one though and the center caps

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I guess I'll blast them and see what they look like after, probably like crud, but I like them and they're not unilug garbage.
Rechrome isn't in the budget.
 
You probably realize this but If you are going to blast them, use a very soft media suitable for aluminum.
Since replating is not in the budget are you thinking of painting the wheels? If done tastefully that could look nice. Maybe use a durable epoxy paint? And since you are painting and not plateing you can use a filler like bondo to remake - fill the pitted sections.
 
That's what I'm thinking. Hoping it will work.
I don't want to stray from the color scheme, just get it close so I don't ruin the look.
 
Way to go guys! Love those Keystones. Way to save the small bolt wheels. I was a huge fan of them back in the day.

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