Refinishing Rallye Wheels

After finding the link on the Buick Performance web site (Refinishing Buick Rallyes), I have had the chance to try a few of my own. The whole process works pretty well; however, one problem that you tend to run into is rust on the chrome recessed surfaces of the wheels. Rust tends to be quite typical, especially in the outer-most recessed area (the one nearest the valve stem hole).

I'm certain that there is not much of a cure for this shy of stripping and replating the chrome on the wheel; nevertheless, I have had some success in removing this rust with a scalpel from a biology lab kit. I'm sure an exacto knife would work in the same fashion. With the blade, you can get into the recessed area, scrape away the surface rust, and make the damage much less noticeable. At that point, some touch up paint (in "chrome" or silver color) might be used to help prevent the rust from reforming. On my wheels, I plan to simply wipe the affected areas down with WD-40 periodically. This will be a test, so I'll know how this works after I begin driving the car once more. I feel that, since the car is garage-kept, it shouldn't be a problem to keep the wheels fairly dry (and I can "shammy" them off if caught in the rain).

The web site states that "It takes approximately 1 hour to do each wheel from start to finish." Well, perhaps I am just slow, or maybe I am really meticulous...but it takes me the better part of 2 hours just to clean and tape the wheel to prepare it for sandblasting! :shock: Yes, I tape prior to sandblasting...if I don't, the blasting pattern tends to wander into the chrome areas that I don't want to blast and dull them. I use a Sears portable sandblaster, and the tape tends to hang right in there...even though it may be a bit harder to remove later.

Sorry for the extra-long post, but I thought that I would share my experience with these restoration tips.

 

Three years ago, I bought a set of correct Rallye wheels for my '66 Skylark from a local used wheel dealer.

All the wheels were quite rusty. He assured me that they would clean up with Naval Jelly.

I was skeptical. He was right. Cleaned up almost perfectly.

I did not sandblast the backs of the wheels. Painted them with Eastwood's Corroless instead.

Wheels look great, and being kept in a garage, no rust has reappeared.

 

Hello:

I have a set of Rallye wheels for a 65 Riviera and I need to know the correct color is of the insert of the wheel.

I heard they were dark grey, and I also heard they ere semi gloss blk.

Can you confirm one way or the other?

Thanks,

Ty O'Neal

 

On my (since sold) 1966 Skylark, I had them painted a silver grey, as they appeared that way in sales photos. I recall that there was a switch to black during the 1966 production year. At least for Skylarks, silver grey for 1965, and either that or black for 1966 is correct.

 

'65 Riviera ralley wheels would be "correct" with a silver grey insert. Not sure of the exact colour, but it is a dark "pewter" grey. Someone will probably chime in with the proper colour match and a possible source. You can also search some '65 Riviera videos on 'you tube' for reference. :TU: