TRX Wheel Restoration

[2112COBRA]

WOW!!! They look great! What about the plastic center caps are they way different in color?

[BLK BRD 88]

I had mismatched tires when I ran my TRX wheels, had 190's front and 220's rear. They'll work just fine.

The 390mm converts to 15.354", I always wondered if there is enough material on the rim to turn .125" off the radius and fit a standard 15" tire.

Ron you must be talking about the tires. I could tell no difference on the TRX wheels from my 79 TRX Wheels and these 84 TRX Wheels.

Yep, I was!
You wrote that you wanted to put 190s on yours. 2CapriRS said he had mixed 190s with 220s on his.
I was just laying some FYI on you in case you wanted a bit wider tires on the rear.
According to the chart below, the later wheels may have been a bit wider since Michelin recommended a 15mm wider wheel with the 220s. But they may be the same since Michelin gives a minimum, recommended, & a maximum width wheel.
I have two sets of TRX wheels & they are identical, but have no idea what they came off of or how wide.

http://www.drtheo.nl/CX/TRX-history.htm

By the way, the wheel that you had done looks great...mighty tempting!
Ron

[79mustangcobra]

WOW!!! They look great! What about the plastic center caps are they way different in color?

Here is the wheel with the "old" TRX Center Cap:



Here is the wheel with a "NOS" Center Cap: - Note, I did not press or set the Center cap in the wheel. These things are very hard to find and I did not want to break the plastic taps that hold it in place until its - Showtime

[negusm]

The wheel refinishing business is worth the money.

I sent mine out for resto and they came back flawless. I would never think about refinishing a wheel myself. The work these guys can do is amazing.

-Mike

[sowaxeman]

Wow...doesn't get much better than that right there

[2112COBRA]

Here is the wheel with the "old" TRX Center Cap:



Here is the wheel with a "NOS" Center Cap: - Note, I did not press or set the Center cap in the wheel. These things are very hard to find and I did not want to break the plastic taps that hold it in place until its - Showtime

Looks Killer!!!

[79FoxBodyMustang]

that is nuts.

[83-88T-Bird Guy]

Wow...doesn't get much better than that right there

X 2 !
Well Done !

I might give some thought to send my TRX centers and wheels there to get that "new" finish.

[Gemini1999]

I was thinking about refinishing mine on my own, but after seeing the results that a professional comes up with, the additional cost looks to be well worth it. I think that I might start checking with a few local shops to see what their prices are. I know that I could probably come up with a fair result on my own, but when it comes to cleaning up the backside of the rim, I haven't had much luck and it would probably go better in the hands of a professional.

Very nice results!

[79mustangcobra]

The wheel refinishing business is worth the money.

I sent mine out for resto and they came back flawless. I would never think about refinishing a wheel myself. The work these guys can do is amazing.

-Mike

Mike my nephew has an Blazer with, I think, those cool factory 4x4 Aluminum wheels. Well, I bought a polishing kit from Eastwood, and it did turn out better, but there is no way, not even in the same stratosphere as what these guys did compared to me with some compound and a buffer. All we did was polish the wheels, but they removed the curb rash, turned them an re-shot clear on them. It is worth the money. These were junk yard wheels, not that bad, but still a far cry from NOS

[79mustangcobra]

I might give some thought to send my TRX centers and wheels there to get that "new" finish.

I thought about that. The only problem with the centers is that they 'ding' so easy! They would look better with some clear on them, but I don't know if there is enough material to turn them? They basically are a thin piece of aluminum over a plastic center cap. It is a shame no one repro's these! It took a long time to find five of these NOS. I would buy more if I could find them. The newer Cobra five lug wheels have basically the same center cap except five lugs instead of four.

Can someone please ask Matt who knows him, if he can repro these?

[gr79]

If the center cap ever needs to be taken off:
A sharp centered hit to the cap backside with the butt end of a wooden hammer handle works great.
Have a large thick towel to catch the cap.
Prying will damage the cap and leave marks on the rim.

Check out McGard #64010 lug nuts if needing new.
They are 1/2"-20 3/4" hex, 1.5" long, bulge cone seat type.
Made in USA.
Pep Boys, Summit stock them. About 13.00 for a four pack.

TRX lug nuts may have been longer ones. Been a while....

[sowaxeman]

I agree with your method....but prying them off works just fine with no damage if you use a small to medium flat head, and work your way around in small steps. Patience grasshopper is the key

[Capriman86]

I agree with your method....but prying them off works just fine with no damage if you use a small to medium flat head, and work your way around in small steps. Patience grasshopper is the key

I would be surprised if you are not damaging the clear coat on the edge of the rim which will lead to corrosion under the clear from cleaners with time unless the wheel is polished only. Just my opinion.

[sowaxeman]

I suppose that's possible Jeff...but I don't see any damage, plus I am VERY careful. Besides, they don't see rain or any corrosive material and are always protected with polish.

[79mustangcobra]

Let me ask you guys a question, do you want me to show before and after pictures of 'all' the wheels getting done and post them in this thread? I will be doing another one in a couple of weeks. I just don't want to bore you with redundant info, but I will be taking pictures for me and can post. Thanks for your input and kind comments!

[85GTTops]

Would it make sense to do a before of the remaining three together, followed by all 4 of them when finished?

[sowaxeman]

However you want to post them....I won't be bored

[BLK BRD 88]

However you want to post them....I won't be bored

2X for me here also
Ron

[negusm]

No.

I want you to go to the shop and get images of the wheels as they are gradually reconditioned.

That would be awesome.

-Mike

[85GTTops]

LOL!. What the heck...just have continuous long video coverage of the entire process.

[cobracomander]

[wet sanded them with 400 grit and buffed them with mothers aluminuim polish and a headlight resto kit on a drill. i heard oven cleaner works on the clear coat. i just keep sanding got thru the yellowed clear.
[/SIZE]

[sowaxeman]

A tad too shiney for those wanting NOS or Concours correct - but those do look great. As a DIY'r that has polished TRX and 10-hole wheels, the work is tedious, but well worth it in the end.

I have enough extra wheels....I may try your method one day when I get bored

Question - how many of those Mothers Balls did you go through, because they tend to shred apart over time?

[79mustangcobra]

I like your Cobra, it is sharp, and am always happy to see someone sporting the TRX wheels. Good job

[79mustangcobra]

I just dropped off wheel #2 this morning. Before shot