Restored turbines.

[Djtb78]

I am wondering if anyone here has restored their turbines themselves?
Mine were in such bad shape that I painted up some steel wheels and have been running those.

However I really like the turbines. While trolling the site I saw a set that were painted black
still running the chrome caps, love the look but that car was grey and mine is white.
Im on layoff( a little too cold to mix mortar) looking for a project.

Any methods, ideas, pics?

[HiFiMerc]

I'm cleaning up a set myself.

Usually the outside rim is the worst due to wheel weights

Seems the charcoal paint in the spokes usually holds up ok.

I removed the corrosion and what was left of the clear with an orbital sander and some 120 grit paper.

I found that running a worn piece of that paper up and down the length of the spokes gives a nice look.

My plan is to clean them with soap and water. Then clear coat them with some wheel paint. Might paint the insides black or something, as they're a bit beat up on the inside (junkyard wheels).

all the clear isn't gone here, there's bits and pieces here and there.



I wanted to have all four done by spring, so I can wrap them with new tires, but I've only gotten one partially done... meh.

[BuffaloRider]

I've still got my old turbines from when I bought my 90 Grand Marquis. They are really corroded, clear coat peeling all over the place. I love the turbine style rims and I've been holding on to them so that I can hopefully clean them up and paint them either brown/beige or black. I know a sandblaster would be extremely useful for something like this.

I wanted to have all four done by spring, so I can wrap them with new tires, but I've only gotten one partially done... meh.

Because you haven't gotten around to it or because the process is time consuming?

[Djtb78]

Compared to mine those look great. I bought some paint stripper in a spray can and tried it
on one of the wheels all it really did was take off the coating, a second treatment netted poor results.
I need a product to effectively strip the paint.

[HiFiMerc]

I've still got my old turbines from when I bought my 90 Grand Marquis. They are really corroded, clear coat peeling all over the place. I love the turbine style rims and I've been holding on to them so that I can hopefully clean them up and paint them either brown/beige or black. I know a sandblaster would be extremely useful for something like this.



Because you haven't gotten around to it or because the process is time consuming?

Little of both.

I've also been working on HO goodies. And lounging around after work. That kinda stuff.

[Djtb78]

Or I guess clean, scuff, spray?

[HiFiMerc]

Or you could get re-conditioned ones. They are out there. But the going rate seems to be around 140 bucks a piece plus your old wheel.

[Djtb78]

I'd buy some nice craiger s/s for that kind of money

[HiFiMerc]

You could, but Cragar SS's aren't Turbines.

My love for the Turbine wheel is undying. I flat out love them. Wrap them in BFG Radial T/A's. I'm all over them.

They even look good (imo) on cars that never came with them.



I didn't even see your post about paint stripper. That wheel clear coat is pretty tough stuff. It has to withstand heat, brake dust, road chemicals, etc. It would do a great job, if people wouldn't hammer those damn weights on there. My uncle has a 97 Mountaineer ( I should swipe the heads off that engine) and his wheels had stick on weights as soon as it left the dealer lot. It has seen every MI winter since 97. The wheels look almost brand new. It's tough stuff. That's why I used the orbital. It physically removes the clear, and takes a bit of metal with it, to reveal a nice shiny metal, worthy of polishing.

[onedollarbob]

I seem to remember sand blasting and high polish orbital stuff when I knew a guy that was into refinishing these. The turbs on my '79 are fricking factory gorgeous and had no weights ever on them. When I had the 20 year old tires replaced, I told the shop to PUT THE WEIGHTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL. I'd rather risk an undetectable vibration at 78 mph than ruin a pristine set. That original milled or ridged top finish on the older turbines is kinda rad, in my opinion.

[Louis]

I recall someone on lincolnsonline.com quite awhile back doing a real nice job with his turbines. I think he used scotchbrite pads to polish and then painted them gloss black, then went back over with scotchbrite to remove the paint from the outer lip and turbine edges which gave them a nice black background.

[purplebomb302]

I can't wait to get tires for my LSC turbines I have. May happen closer toward the end of summer.

[BuffaloRider]

You could, but Cragar SS's aren't Turbines.

lol, they do look nice on that aero.

[LithiumCobalt]

I too love the turbines. Mediablasting of some type or acid-dipping will probably give you the best results. Find a local shop that is bored. Usually they will strip a wheel for $25/each. What I think looks really sharp is the inside of the turbine fins color-keyed to the car's paint color. This was done on the 1978 Mark V Diamond Jubilee amongst many others.

[LithiumCobalt]

Here is a photo of one of the refinished turbine wheels on Dereck's Town Car. Hopefully he does not mind that I post his photo.

More photos here: http://www.lincolnsonline.com/forum/...hlight=turbine