restoring Ralley II rims

I have p/u several Rims to get a set of 4 for my 68 GTO at local bone yards..problem is they all have rust around the bead portion of the rim.  most of it appears to be light and will clean up but a few spots where each of the rims had ground contact the rust is heavy. Is there anyway to restore the rim to drivable condition with out going broke? anybody doing this?

Also any info on the rest of the Resto I'll need to know like sanding, prep, paint type, etc...

Any advice is greatly appreciated... GGGRRRRR

Thanks much.... Nothing like the USA!  

Before you even start, take them to a tire shop and have them mounted to the wheel balancer and checked for being out of round. No sense working on a bent/distorted rim. More than 0.030" radially or laterally will cause vibration and shimmying, particularly above 45MPH and more.

I live in AZ and even out here without potholes its hard to find straight & true Ralleye-II rims.

Once you have a straight set, I'd beadblast or sandblast the old paint and rust off of them. If you don't have a sand/bead blaster, check with your buddies or find a shop in your area that does.

Once stripped and clean, I'd take the questionable rim or rims back to the tire shop and have a known good tire mounted and aired-up. They can then apply some soapy water to the questionable area(s) and see if there are any leaks. You might be surprised at how well tires seal to an uneven surface!

If they do leak, I'd continue my search for a better, rust-free rim. I would be very hesitant to use bodyfiller, epoxy or liquid steel filler or even weld a steel wheel. Your wheels are a very critical safety item!

Check for any Pontiac events or swap meets in your area. You can still score these used rims sometimes for as little as $25 each. (check e-Bay, Craig's list or even this message board) If you join POCI, they have free classifieds and you can probably find clean, straight, rust-free used sets for under $200.

I digress... if they do hold air, have the tire(s) removed and proceed with Primer&Paint or Powdercoating in the color(s) of your choice. Ames Performance sells masking kits and correct color wheel paint that helps make painting these much easier.

Good Luck!

Kevin  

Thanks Kevin..  

Like Bigolotava said, Ames provides a masking and spray paint complete set designed to restore all 4 wheels for like $35 or so.  I would sand the rust off of those critical areas around the bead.  If the rust is too heavy and deep after sanding or if the tires leak around the bead, Ames also sells painted Rally wheels in a variety of sizes for reasonable prices.

I have a '69 GTO with Rally wheels that could use some attention.  I plan on using the Ames wheel restoration set with the masks and paints.  I am also considering buying new 15x10s for the rear and then keeping the 14x7s in the front.  
1969 GTO, YS code 400, 350hp/445 ft lbs of torque (stock specs), LT headers, H-pipe, 750 Holley 4160, Ignitor II ignition.  Complete Painless wiring.

I've seen the 15x10's advertised in Ames but I didn't realize that 60s cars could fit that width of wheel in the back without tubbing or some sort of modification. I'd be real interested in seeing some pics of anyone who's put those wheels on their car because I'm starting to like the idea.

when I bought my 64 Cat it had 15x10 wheels on the back but the previous owner hacked the quarters with a saws-all because the wheels stuck  out too far.

ps. I'm currently looking for replacement quarter panels.......  

i agree,,15 x 10 wheels are not going to fit a 69 gto unless the cars is tubbed or something else is modified in back,, and unless its a all out race car i wouldnt hack up a 69 gto,,,just my opinion...  

Damn. Too bad they wouldn't fit without modifications.  It would look really nice though despite all the extra work it would take.  
1969 GTO, YS code 400, 350hp/445 ft lbs of torque (stock specs), LT headers, H-pipe, 750 Holley 4160, Ignitor II ignition.  Complete Painless wiring.