Pony Wheels, Polish or Paint?

[TheWizard]

I like the way those ponies are turning out. I'm thinking of a similar effort for my 86 vert.

I saw a pic of the new chrome center caps. Was wondering if you could get the chrome to look more like the polished wheels if you gave them a really good polishing with some fine steel wool. That might take the mirror finish off the caps, give them a slight haze and make them look more like polished....

Bob Beaullieu

Replies like these are the reason why I love FEP.
Good thinking Bob..I ordered one extra cap to try just that.
Thanks.

[beaullieu]

I guess great minds think alike! Looking forward to see how the spare cap turns out.
Post a pic...

[beaullieu]

Looking really nice...

Would you mind sharing the strip/polishing sequence you have used?

Bob Beaullieu

[sowaxeman]

I'm enjoying the hell out of this project... isn't that what the hobby is all about?

There is something seriously wrong with you if you are enjoying the hell out this I've done three sets (two 10-holes and one TRX), and while I agree the result is VERY gratifying, the process is far from enjoyable Congrats on what appears to be a project well done

[stableboy]

Not so sure there Skippy..

Nope, still not doing it for me.

And Jiffier Moms choose JIF, not Skippy.

[TheWizard]

Looking really nice...

Would you mind sharing the strip/polishing sequence you have used?

Bob Beaullieu

Here's what I used...No tools, 100% by hand.

Paint remover.... Aircraft or Home Depot has some good ones too.
Steel Wool....I used #2
Plastic scrapers to remove the paint.
Acetone or Thinner to clean the wheel.
Sand paper (lots of it) I used grits from 320 to 2000 and maybe others..I lost track.
I used a vacuum to constantly suck up the dust off the wheel as I sanded.
Lots clean of rags.
Beer
I may be forgetting something though.

Sequence...Strip--Clean-- Sand, Sand, Sand and when you think you're done sanding, come back and sand some more

And then the easy, and most rewarding..polish, I used Mothers aluminum I think its good stuff

Hope this helps.

[TheWizard]

There is something seriously wrong with you if you are enjoying the hell out this I've done three sets (two 10-holes and one TRX), and while I agree the result is VERY gratifying, the process is far from enjoyable Congrats on what appears to be a project well done

Thanks..You said it better, that's what I meant to say, but I'm not too good with words.

[TheWizard]

The wheels are finally on the car.. and I'm stoked
I'm really pleased the way they turned out.

I'll try and get better pictures later.

[mustang4life1985]

I think those wheels look awesome and you should be really proud with all that time and hard work you put into those. I like it a lot because they are different.

I was never a big fan of the painted pony wheels and the chrome wheels are just way too expensive to pick up new in my opinion. A lot of the time the chrome wheels you find are also pitted and people want top dollar for them.

[TheWizard]

I think those wheels look awesome and you should be really proud with all that time and hard work you put into those. I like it a lot because they are different.

I was never a big fan of the painted pony wheels and the chrome wheels are just way too expensive to pick up new in my opinion. A lot of the time the chrome wheels you find are also pitted and people want top dollar for them.

Thanks Paul.
Yep, that's the problem I had while looking for a set of chrome ones, they were either pitted or trashed in some form...or five states away

[Wikd331]

maybe i missed it somewhere but what center caps did u use

[TheWizard]

maybe i missed it somewhere but what center caps did u use

I got them from this Company on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

[Wikd331]

Thanks

[TheWizard]

Couple of suckie phone shots....I need to go out on a photo shoot

[TheWizard]

For those that followed this thread ......

Transfered the Pony emblem from the old caps onto the new, and back on the wheels.

[JTurbo]

Looks great, congrats on your efforts!

[Foxkiller]

looks good bro. good job you should be proud of those...

[TheWizard]

Looks great, congrats on your efforts!

looks good bro. good job you should be proud of those...

Thanks fellas
Here's a couple more with the emblems on...and yes, I'm a picture whore

The lights seem to play tricks on them, they look much better in person.

[69SCJ]

That looks F'ing awesome!!!! Nice work. The emblem is icing.

[bwguardian]

Looks good! How many hours you have logged into this project? I know you did not have them cleared but you may be thinking you can keep them polished over time. Keep us posted on how they fair over time...I am curious.

[TheWizard]

Looks good! How many hours you have logged into this project? I know you did not have them cleared but you may be thinking you can keep them polished over time. Keep us posted on how they fair over time...I am curious.

Not sure exactly.. but I calculated about 50 hrs, +/_

I have no plans to add clear, this way I can polish them from time to time.

Will definitely keep you guys posted on how they hold up...now, if only the weather would clear up.

Thanks.

[ALMOST STOCK]

Very nicely done!

Sand paper (lots of it) I used grits from 320 to 2000 and maybe others..I lost track.

FWIW: If there is a next time.......... instead of all that sanding try using Tripoli Compound on a buffing wheel after you finished sanding with 360 grit sandpaper, followed by White Rouge on a different buffing wheel.

[mattquerio]

I can't believe how good those look polished. I would assume they are chrome if I saw them.

[TheWizard]

I can't believe how good those look polished. I would assume they are chrome if I saw them.

Thanks.
These are the poor man's "chrome pony wheels"

[TurboMont]

Polish! Polished ponies look amazing.