Topic: Who has restored Lester wheels please

[Scott]

G'day

I remember seeing some restored Lesters on here somewhere.

I would love to know how the process and if you would do it the same way again.

Thanks
Scott

[Scott S]

 I have. What ya wanna know?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Took them to the powder coater. Left $400 or so with him. He threw in the silver trim circle. New bearings. Not much to it except for cash and a good pair to start off with. Great outcome. $400+. Glad I did this on top of the $700 I paid for a nice matching pair.



Mighta had the interior of the spokes also done in silver?

[seanbarney41]

I got a couple sets sitting around that could use a refinish.  Jerry, those are beaut, but I just want the good ole black and raw 'luminum

[Tews19]

Sean will you be heading this way rockerbox/vintage races?

[seanbarney41]

I'm gonna check into it...definitely do want to see actual racing at RA

[evinrude7]

Took them to the powder coater. Left $400 or so with him. He threw in the silver trim circle. New bearings. Not much to it except for cash and a good pair to start off with. Great outcome. $400+. Glad I did this on top of the $700 I paid for a nice matching pair.



Mighta had the interior of the spokes also done in silver?

i'm usually not into "rims" but those are nice muthaF'er.

[Scott S]

 I've cleaned up the stock finely machined finish by hand using 0000 steel wool, chrome polish and elbow grease. Tape them up with painters tape, mask off with a razor blade, wipe down with acetone or similar, paint at home.

 I've also had the outer rims and ribs polished professionally. At the time (the shop I used to use raised their prices SIGNIFICANTLY recently), the outer rims were $100 for both wheels and another $100 to do the ribs. Then I taped and painted myself. Bearings and such are the same as a stock wheel.

 I had a set of Henry Abes powder coated. They ran them through their oven to remove the old finish and let me take home a roll of the special tape they use. Again....hours of careful masking and trimming, then they powder coated them black, removed the tape and cleared over the bare area.

[bubbafun101]

I loaded my Lesters into a blast cabinet loaded with walnut shells after I removed the bearings and all the mounting parts and cleaned them in a hot water parts cleaner. After I got both rims clean I wiped them down well with paint prep and with a razor blade and blue painters tape masked off the areas not to be painted. I wiped them down again with paint prep. Next I placed them under a commercial grade heat lamp at my buddy's body shop and after heating the cans of "wrinkle paint" slightly I painted them. The heat helps with the "wrinkling". After 24 hours to dry I got out my "mini" orbital sander and worked the edge of the rim to 3000 grit. I washed them with warm soapy water and moved on. This is what I ended up with. I like them

[Scott]

Thanks heaps everyone for the reply's I just got back on the computer after work so I couldn't respond earlier Scott so thanks for that description.

It's a little way off yet until I get them done but it doesn't hurt to start thinking about the process incase I come across someone who can help me with one or two of the steps.

[Scott S]

 Clean up any loose or flaking paint first. Then deal with any ding or corroded areas. Polish whatever you wish to polish. Get some nice sharp razor blades, some quality painters tape and a cold beverage and go to town. It's tedious, but not hard.