Help? is this normal for steal rallye rims

[brikar]

ordered a new set of custom back spaced rallye rims from a well known company,and i would like every ones opinion on the finish quality of the weld bead. My supplier told me this is normal or should i be contacting the manufacture, and if it is normal any ideas on getting it smooth for powder coat or painting.

[Russell Ashley]

The original Corvette wheels on my truck look like that too, so I would say it's normal. I have center caps and trim rings on my wheels so it is not very noticeable.

[justplainray]

if these are painted steel rims, not chrome plated.
I'd say that is fairly typical workmanship.
Not to rough, not to smooth, not to ugly, not to pretty.

Since you're going to powder coat, you can finish the area like you would finish any metal weldment.
Complete what they started to do with a flapper type sanding wheel in a drill.
Be sure to mask off the center disc and adjacent areas to protect from accidental damage.
Start with a 36 maybe 80 grit, procede up to 320 for final finish.

The little divot at the outer most edge I would NOT try to fill, just smooth it a LITTLE BIT, and let it go.

justplainray

[mr48chev]

I go along with what Justplainray said. Slick them out a bit and send them to the power coater.

I would believe that the wheel builder is under the assumption that the majority of the people who buy that wheel intend to run trim rings that cover most all of that seam so it isn't important in their view and leaving the weld show leaves a slightly stronger wheel.

[dcmalone]

My dad and I ordered wheels from the same company I'm sure. He got the unfinished plan ones like you have in the picture and has the same seam. I ordered the chrome smoothies and don't have them. I think it's typical on the unfinished wheels.

[dcmalone]

Just realized that was my first post on this forum. I've read so much and searched so many times I forgot I hadn't said anything.

[brikar]

thanks guys for the reassurance,I thought that mine might have slipped threw quality control,but it sure would have been nice to see that beed polished off a little smoother.And thanks justplainray for the sanding advice I 'll see about 2 to 3" of the beed even with a trim ring,so i'll have to smooth it up a bit

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

I go along with what Justplainray said. Slick them out a bit and send them to the power coater.

I would believe that the wheel builder is under the assumption that the majority of the people who buy that wheel intend to run trim rings that cover most all of that seam so it isn't important in their view and leaving the weld show leaves a slightly stronger wheel.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by dcmalone

Just realized that was my first post on this forum. I've read so much and searched so many times I forgot I hadn't said anything.

Well WELCOME then!

I think the roughness is normal on those wheels, and, to be honest, I don't think they look bad. But I understand your concern. Agreed - if pc'ing them, then smooth it out a bit, but I'm a non-trim ring sorta guy myself and I only blasted then pc'ed my stock steelies as is, and they turned out fine imo.

[dwcsr]

Its up to you but this is one area that I would never grind a weld off. The stresses in that area are going to be very high. Who would ever walk up and say hey nasty weld on that wheel there bud. Who would ever see it but you. If the weld split on the highway you would be the last one to know about it.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

Its up to you but this is one area that I would never grind a weld off. The stresses in that area are going to be very high. Who would ever walk up and say hey nasty weld on that wheel there bud. Who would ever see it but you. If the weld split on the highway you would be the last one to know about it.

Yea, sorry guys, I'm with Dave on this one.
Sanding down a weld on a wheel? Plus that flapper wheel wouldn't get all the way in near the center anyway.

[brikar]

talked to the seller,he said that it would be ok to smooth the weld out a bit,they take it out when they chrome the rims anyway.I'm not going to remove it completely just get the sharp edges of the beed and mig splatter removed,the back side i won't be touching or the edge.

[lazypineapple]

yup my new rallies had it too.

can ya tell ?