Welds on Lester Wheels

[rputney01]

I have a set of Lester wheels for my "S". I was cleaning them up this weekend. The welds are pretty rough and a PITA to get clean even with glass beads. I'm inclined to grind and sand them before powder coating but I wonder:

1) Do I make the rims less authentic (valuable) by cleaning up the welds?
2) What are the odds that they will be more difficult to balance as a result?

Should I leave well enough alone?

[Nessism]

It's not like those wheels are seriously valuable so I wouldn't worry about changing them. That said, I wouldn't go grinding on the welds due to risks to the structure, unless it's just a very minor amount. The bead blasting should take care of any corrosion and the powder coat will seal over everything afterward. Go easy, and you should be fine.

[rputney01]

Thanks Ed.

[posplayr]

I have a set of Lester wheels for my "S". I was cleaning them up this weekend. The welds are pretty rough and a PITA to get clean even with glass beads. I'm inclined to grind and sand them before powder coating but I wonder:

1) Do I make the rims less authentic (valuable) by cleaning up the welds?
2) What are the odds that they will be more difficult to balance as a result?

Should I leave well enough alone?

Some of that Purple Power and a stainless steel brush should help alot. I would not gring welds on a wheel

[bwringer]

Step 10 feet away from the wheels. Do those welds look so bad now?

I would also not grind on wheel welds.

So relax. Embrace messy welds as part of that funky authentic disco-era vibe. They're evidence that a human has been at work here -- someone worked hard on those wheels with their own two hands. Respect their work and craftsmanship, and wear the welds proudly.

Modern robotic welds are consistent, perfect, and completely boring.

[rputney01]

Sage advice. Thanks gentlemen.