Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

It is one of those things that will bug me .. but honestly the spots I have worked on, you can't really even see. I'd have to point it out on most of them. Some of the deeper ones I will just live with. The main thing is the buffing, .. I just want to make sure the wheel doesn't have that 'hazy' look where I buffed on it .. then the killer deep shine the BS wheels have out of the box in other places. you know how if you stop at a gas station, the lights really bring out the haze in chrome / polished and even your paint looks crappy under those lights (?)

The main thing is Greg didn't have to come help us with the compressor. There will never be a wheel or a fluke accident come between friends .. He was in my wedding, etc. He's a good dude man. I was a kid once.. :lol:

WOW though. I didn't know what to say. It sounded like the bells from the bowels of Hell ringing.. Between the wrench and the hoop of the wheel, .. BOOOOOONNNGG!

It landed on the center cap and just spun around, rattling around in the wheel. I couldn't get my hands on it fast enough.


Greg is a forum member too. Greg if you see this man, really. It's looking a lot better. No worries, stuff happens man. I'm just looking for polish to make them perfect.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

I have sanded all the way to 180 grit before on very deep scratches and then worked up to 2000 grit. I always wet sand though to make paper last. You will never even know the scratches are there if you are not afraid to get really serious with big grit paper. It takes some balls to do it though!!! I am no expert by any means though. The pros use a sisal wheel and black compound to cut really deep scratches if I remember correctly. I haven't tried that yet but I plan to on my Pentias.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Ooh geez!!! Sounds like my lil episode ain't a issue. Sorry & glad I missed that.
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Hey man, love your truck, I've got the same brakes as you and am wondering if you got your intermediate parking brake cable swedged or what you were doing with it.

On the polishing after doing a good deal of it without always getting it as shiney as the pros I think it all comes down to technique, are you just using rags and mother's or are you using some nice sisal pads? I used these (sisal pads and special rouges on bench grinder) on the engine cases for my Thruxton, the cases turned out great until I ordered a sprocket cover from Speed Merchant and the polish on it made my work look dull. I learned a good bit from this forum (I'm not affiliated but did find it helpful) http://forum.caswellplating.com/forum.php

Jason

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Thanks for the help fellas. I have been working on the wheel all weekend, I have a few of the spots worked out. I know they're there but to someone else you'd have to look really hard to see them. I'm not just working the place where the damage was, .. but kinda feathering the area out. All sanding is being done with a block (Durablocks of various shapes) to maintain the integrity of the wheel, so it doesn't look 'spooned out' on the area I have sanded. Youre absolutely right, it's scary stuff.

Here's the plan. I have the worst spot 95% gone. I have worked it out from 1000 grit all the way up to 3000 (1000,1500,2000,2500,3000 then Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish. ) The Mothers MA polish worked great but in certain light you could still see the haze that I mentioned.

I looked around everywhwre and finally found one can of Mother's Billet polish on a clearance rack at Auto Zone. Man, I tell ya .. It's 10x better than the regular Mothers polish. I also went to Home Depot and found they sell a Sisal wheel set, just small buffing little 'pods' that you can chuck up in your drill. They had a set that had a cone shape in it and a round, about the size of a tennis ball. The cone shaped one has really really helped.

On the places there the damage was, and where I sanded it actually looks as good or better than the original shine of the wheel. I think I have found the magic combination.

I have about 4 or 5 more little places to work out. One is pretty bad but it's not as deep as the worst one. I'm pretty confident I can get it out.

Needless to say I am taking my time but .. it's really getting a lot better. Made me SICK! :whine:

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Glad to hear they are workable..

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

ouch, sorry !

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

I'm getting there. Just reading up about the flour polish thing (white bread flour) I really don't think it's that bad, and I think I can get the micro scratches out with a Nitrile glove and hand polishing on the final step. I'm getting there..

But still .. I still see that 4 way landing on it and the sound was horrible.

What he saw was a shiney something that took his Dads eyes away from him, so .. you gotta wonder what was going through his mind. Makes me sick to think about it.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Man... I've been tensed up reading this page on your build thread. Can't get my body to release the tension. You are handling the situation the only way you can. :)

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

I can't explain it man .. He's just a kid. It could have easily been anyone, it's just something that happend. Nothing I can do to make it better other than just try to work out what I can. I'm really suprised it came out as good as it has.

One things for sure .. I know how to polish Billet wheels now.

In all seriousness, I have no hard feelings. All I can do is move forward. Some idiot could have pulled out in front of me and totaled the truck or something. Things happen, and all things for a reason. I think it was a test for me.

My wife and I are trying so hard to have a child. I think the Lord wanted to see just what would happen if I did have a child, where would my priorities lie? It may sound kinda goofy, but I really feel that way.

Kids are a beautiful thing man. Greg is a great friend, I have known him a LONG time. No truck, wheel, etc. will come between friends. It sucks that it happened, I just have to move on.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Just a thought.
Would you ever consider powdercoating the center of these wheels?
You could put your own spin on these cool BS Heritage wheels and eliminate the need for polishing wheels on a "semi-daily" driver.
(and it might cover up the blemishes that are killing you)
They would then be one-of-a-kind!

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Sorry to hear that Chad, glad you are handling it the way you are.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Yeah, I thought about that but the dings are all over the wheel. I have 4-5 in the outer lip, one of the spokes caught it pretty bad (on top of the spoke) then around the raised parts of the holes. If I did powder, I'd have to do the whole wheel to really make it look right instead of the contrasting trim like Keith has on the Hazel truck. I like that look, I really do .. I just don't think it would help the situation I'm faced with. The center part of the 4 way landed around the center cap too and you can see where the round'ness of the bar (luckily it was chromed and not my rusty old steel one I found under the seat of my GMC!) .. it just hit there and kinda slid down the spoke. Then the 'arms' just rattled around in there. <full body shiver>

I cant sleep till I know it's better. I have been doing a lot of research today. I am a perfectionist so I tell ya, if it can be fixed, I'll get it. Again, not working the spot .. I'm trying to kinda feather the damage out. One nick on it becomes a 3-4" repair. The wheel will make you sick to see it right now. Sanded spots all over it.

Yeah, I could have kicked and screamed but it wouldn't make it better. Plus, Greg's about a 3rd degree black belt. :lol: It's COOL bro! .. :D

Kididng. He didn't mean too. It'll all come out. It's just going to take some time. I'll try to get some pics tonight. I'm almost finished with it actually, but I wore my sandpaper out. I had to stop last night about 10:30.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

You sir are one very calm fella... I have kids already and it makes my eye twitch just reading about it... :lol: You are going to make it look better than new, and then you have to slick up the others ;)

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Yea billet wheels are beautiful but they suck haha. The beauty of them is that you can fix them though!!! If those had been chromed instead of just polished and had got scratched you would really be screwed. At least you figured out how to polish them as you will be doing it constantly from now on lol. Are you putting some sealer on them? From my experience the sealer is a real life saver in the amount of future work it saves you. If I were to do it all over again I would send my wheels to Schott and have them ceramic coat them so as to never worry about them again.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

I stepped down to 800 grit tonight and WOW. I have four of the worst spots completely gone. Pop if you recall the deepest one up on the spoke? Yeah.. gone.

I feel much better about it. If I got the deepest one out.. the rest is coming out too. It will just take patience. :metal:
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

I knew if anybody could fix 'em, you could. You have your Mom's patience and my good looks! ;)

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Poor Chad. Just kidding pops I couldn't resist. :D
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Looking good guys! Keep up the nice work!

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Thanks Pop. The 800 scratches are a little tougher to get out but I'm just working it back up a little at a time. The damage around the outer lip seems a little harder to sand just because you have to keep the sand scratches going all in one direction right from the start. If you sand at an angle, down into the wheel or cross hatching like I'm used to blocking body work they are tough to get out. 800 vs 1000 on the first cut is a lot easier to work with .. but the work afterward kinda makes up for it. you'll be shocked when you see the wheel. :D I've got nothin but time buddy. .. I'll get it back to as perfect as it ever was, or better.

Ladies love Pops now.. seriously. :lol:

'Preciate it brother! I'm watching your Super Blue build too, looking great.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Glad to hear the wheel is gonna be ok, and you know I love you Pops. Seriously you are a lucky man Chad. :)
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

This thread has been lacking something lately. I just can't put my finger on it. Hmm

Oh yeah....PICS!

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

:ennyd:

The wheel is FIXED ! :D

Seriously, .. if there are any folks out there that might have scratched a Billet wheel, I can fix you up. I have all the 'stuff' to fix it now that's for sure. $1,000 for a new wheel, or a couple hundred to fix it .. PM me if you need some help. I'm patient and persistent. Within reason, I can probably get it fixed.

I'll post up some pictures of mine in a bit. There on my phone now.

I actually enjoy doing stuff like this. Serious polishing, meticulosly detailed block sanding, etc.

Laterz ..

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

congrats....now get those pics posted !

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Couple of pics of the wheel. It's so hard to get a picture of a Billet wheel / Chrome wheel indoors. I still see some minor hazing on it in places you can't see with the naked eye .. I might go back over it one more time with the Billet polish and a nitrile glove.

Where you see the red circiles is where spots used to be. .. Anywhere from minor nicks, to able to catch your thumb nail on it. There are other places too, this was just the worst spoke.

14 spots total I fixed.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

How didja do that? Looks fantastic! I have 4 old cast wheels that'd be easy work, If I knew what I was doing! There's so much info out there, I don't know what to do first, and sanding has gotten me nowhere. Got any surefire pointers?

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

I promise, if you didnt know. You wouldnt be able to tell. Im pretty happy with it. Youd think if you sand too much in one spot, you can create a little divot.. but I worked it out getting larger and larger as the grit got finer and finer. I was worried man, but a lot of persistence, a lot of rubbing and polish. No other way to do it. You have to take your time.
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Great Job!

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

It looks betta than new... :)

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

x2!

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Nicely done !

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Very nice job. You have a LOT more patience than what I do right now.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Looks great. I wouldn't have known a wrench bounced around in there
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

good work!!

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Thanks for all the compliments. I really drive myself crazy about stuff like this. I started fixing it about 1:30p on Saturday and my hands have been black ever since. (polish)

Absolutely bizarre situation fellas but, it's over. She's fixed. Here's a final overall. I'm going to take it out in the sun and give it one final lookover but I have been inches away from it with a flashlight and I honestly don't see any more 'angle hair' scratches in it. I'm worried this one will look better than the other one now. I will need to polish it for sure. I'm tellin ya, this wheel is screamin now.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Shiny! Looks great
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

I haven't posted much recently, I have been working on a potential new job. It's between me an another guy right now I hope to know something tomorrow or Tuesday. I'll let you know if I get it, where, etc. I don't want to jinx myself :D

I went to Dad's on Sat and we worked pretty much the whole day on the GMC. We have both sides cleaned and painted under the front end. It looks really good. This truck's not going to be a frame off (as far as I know .. ) so we're just looking for clean and painted / detailed. It looks really good.

Pass side - cleaned and painted, bare crossmember now. No arms, etc. .. but they are cleaned and painted, ready to go back on.

Driver's side - It's painted and detailed, We got the upper and lower arms painted, detailed and back on, both the new Moog upper and lower balljoints installed, front drop spindle, front Hotchkis spring, disk rotor and caliper.

One piece drive shaft is back in - Dad's friend Mike Hudlow put it together for us. It turned out really good. Remember the bed and most if the weight is off the back so it will center up in the crossmember as the weight pushes it back down. New Spicer Ujoints, etc. It should handle the new LS engine .. (Did I say that out loud? :metal: ) 62 3/8 seal to center is perfect for a 3OTT and about 6.5in drop.

I am also completely gutting my master bathroom, so my 'truck time' yesterday was an agreement with my wife. I had to work on the bathroom today. Dad may have done the pass side today, I'm not sure.

Here's what it looks like now. This is pretty much ride height, (the weight of the jack under the balljoint is barely lifting the truck off the jack stand ) dead nuts on 15" from the center line of the hub to the top of the fender lip. The tires are 29.03" tall, .. so We might be tucking the tire once it settles a little bit. Man, I hope so.

Here's some pics.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Getting closer & closer! Nice!!!
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Ed - Did you paint your rotors / calipers?

By the way - it does still need grease in the bearings up front, it's just stuck on there to see what it looks like. I'm thinking I may paint my calipers and the center part of my rotors.. Prob just black, but ..? I just dont want them to rust.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

I did. I painted the rotor hats gloss black and the calipers in a steel grey. They look good behind the Boss 338's. Remember I have the McGaughy front 13" brake kit.
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