Wheel sandblasting and refinishing

[Cheap Guy]

I just bought a winter beater which was inexpensive and in good shape but the wheels are bugging the heck out of me. Has anyone had old wheels sandblasted and just clear coated or painted cost effectively? Can it be done without unmounting the wheel?

[BRZN]

Without unmounting the wheel? Do you mean unmounting the wheel from the car, or removing the tire from the wheel?
I'd suggest you contact a wheel repair company. Wheel Worx is a national franchise company I use to repair and resurface wheels, they repair wheels for local car dealerships as well as for customers wanting their own damaged wheels repaired. I take wheels to them off the vehicle and they have a tire machine to remove the tire from the wheel and remount and balance it once the repair has been completed.
Most likely you'll get better results having the tires off the wheels, but check with them. If not, the clear has a good chance of beginning to peel at the wheel/tire mating surface due to incomplete coverage of the paint or clear. Powder coating would be another option, for that process the tires would have to be off the wheel due to having to bake the powder to the wheel.

[Camaro__ss]

I got wheels on my vette powder coated. I have to say in the end it was a long run for a short slide. I’d just buy new wheels next time

[Cheap Guy]

Originally Posted by Camaro__ss

I got wheels on my vette powder coated. I have to say in the end it was a long run for a short slide. I’d just buy new wheels next time

That’s exactly what I ended up doing. The cost to remove the tires from the wheel, have them sandblasted and powder coated was more than the cost of a cheap wheel. I guess if you have an expensive wheel it may be worth it but not in this case.