[Larry Navarro]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

"Neither did GM's crappy water based enamel being applied on Van Nuys builds, been there."

Yes my 78 started fading between the T tops and on one pillar and quarter panel at 2 years of age! Why in '88 I took it apart and painted it all in Glasurit black polyurethane(think Mercedes/Porches) and topped with clear.

Yeah Skip, my '79 was always cared for and garaged since new. I painted it in 2001 as the paint on fender tops were wearing thin from waxing/polishing over the years plus the pinstriping was going south. Even though it was garaged kept, it was a commuter. During the day, parked outside at Amoco Texas City refinery.

[pippintook]

Rocky - that is interesting information that Pontiac might only started to clearcoat snowflake wheels staring in 1979 and that the colored areas were powercoated. It seems like most agree that any clearcoat applied to the snowflake wheel by the Factory was not very good.

Just wondering - what do you think of clearcoating snowflakes? Good/Bad? Is it possible for a clearcoat to last on car that is driven a lot ? Any info or experience on what might be a good clearcoat to use?

[Larry Navarro]

Originally Posted by pippintook

Just wondering - what do you think of clearcoating snowflakes? Good/Bad? Is it possible for a clearcoat to last on car that is driven a lot ? Any info or experience on what might be a good clearcoat to use?

Don't worry it will last. Like I mentioned previously, my vintage dirt bikes get ridden hard. Lower fork legs and swingarms get hammered with dirt and the clear holds up. I spray the entire bike(s) down with WD-40, right before a race. It creates a non-stick barrier and mud falls right off.
Your car will never see that harsh an envirionment.

[78w72]

IMO, some dirt/mud on a vintage dirt bike that gets riden maybe on the weekends & coated with wd40 then washed off right away is a lot different than car rims that get exposed to the environment of a daily driven car.

car wheels are exposed to corrosive brake dust, high heat, rocks & debris during highway or street speeds. & worse of all curb rash & lug nut/wrench damage etc. all those things will wear or damage clear coat on wheels over time. also unless you find a clear made specifically for car wheels it probably wont hold up to all that abuse. even modern factory cleared wheels start to wear pretty quickly on cars that are driven regularly. the main issue though is the chips, once it chips you can't touch it up very well, you will always see it & chances are it will start to chip & corrode under & around the chip. & if you use a normal automotive clear as was suggested earlier it will definitely not hold up on wheels.

no clear & a little maintenance will look better & last longer IMO. i can post pics of my snowflakes that are just shy of 10 years old & have lots of miles on them.

[78 TA KID]

Not to change the subject but. I have a set of the early 78 15x8 snowflakes argent rims. I'm looking to restore. Does anyone know the correct formula and color for these rims. So I can get some paint mixed up. Thanks guys

[78w72]

Originally Posted by 78 TA KID

Not to change the subject but. I have a set of the early 78 15x8 snowflakes argent rims. I'm looking to restore. Does anyone know the correct formula and color for these rims. So I can get some paint mixed up. Thanks guys

the color is just called "argent." not sure on a paint code or formula but im sure someone will chime in with that info.

[Larry Navarro]

Originally Posted by 78w72

IMO, some dirt/mud on a vintage dirt bike that gets riden maybe on the weekends & coated with wd40 then washed off right away is a lot different than car rims that get exposed to the environment of a daily driven car.

NO CLEAR will hold up to lug wrench/nut damage or curb rash, so that point is moot.
Your entitled to your opinion but I suggest you have experience with aftermarket product durability in both "environments" before making assumptions. Evidently you haven't since it's just an "opinion"...........

[pippintook]

Larry - appreciate your feedback on POR-15 "Glisten" - that is one I will consider, if I clearcoat my snowflakes. Getting real life feedback on clearcoat products that work and hold up for snowflakes is tough. Many of the clearcoats look great when applied - but might not hold up that well.

78w72 - I like the idea of a high heat clearcoat made specifically for wheels and the tough conditions they face (ie. heat, chips, brake dust, etc). Do you have any specific high heat clearcoat product you can recommend ?

[Larry Navarro]

Originally Posted by pippintook

Larry - appreciate your feedback on POR-15 "Glisten" - that is one I will consider, if I clearcoat my snowflakes. Getting real life feedback on clearcoat products that work and hold up for snowflakes is tough. Many of the clearcoats look great when applied - but might not hold up that well.

Talk about extreme heat and chemical durability, let me add this to further educate folks, as I completely forgot about the POR product sustains on an aluminum intake manifold.
The photo below of the engine in my '79......intake has been on two different engines. POR applied over 17 years ago. Looks as nice as the polished valve covers.
There's your proof. Extreme high heat/environment, caustic carb. cleaner at times, along with gasoline.
Don't entertain "opinion" nor "experiment" with products of questionable results. Do it right and do it once.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by pippintook

78w72 - I like the idea of a high heat clearcoat made specifically for wheels and the tough conditions they face (ie. heat, chips, brake dust, etc). Do you have any specific high heat clearcoat product you can recommend ?

just wanted to point out that wheels are subject to quite a bit of abuse. when i mentioned "normal automotive clears" it was the SPI clear as was suggested earlier which is just for auto paint. ive never used POR clear, it sounds like good stuff. i dont really have any recommendations for clear as i didnt use it on my snowflakes. i have used spray clears on rally 2 rims & used a satin clear that was specifically for wheels. has held up great after 4 years but of course it will chip if you hit it with something...

[78w72]

Originally Posted by Larry Navarro

NO CLEAR will hold up to lug wrench/nut damage or curb rash, so that point is moot.
Your entitled to your opinion but I suggest you have experience with aftermarket product durability in both "environments" before making assumptions. Evidently you haven't since it's just an "opinion"...........

i didn't suggest clear would hold up to lug wrench or curb rash etc, of course any clear will chip if you hit it with a wrench. was just mentioning that those things can & probably will happen, then its hard to touch up any clear. hence, the suggestion for no clear.

my opinion was of the example given of vintage dirt bikes & mud, yes its very harsh but a very different environment. car rims are not sprayed with wd40 to protect them from dirt & brake dust etc & then washed off after every use, so that point is also moot. i have experience with many paint & automotive products & their durablity as well as owning & dealing with these cars for a long time & generally only talk about or give my "opinion" of things i have experience with, no assumptions were made.

i never said POR clear was not good, sounds like it's great stuff. i mentioned the SPI clear that was suggested earlier & said normal automotive type clears wouldn't hold up. sorry if that was misunderstood...

[burd]

Originally Posted by 78 TA KID

Not to change the subject but. I have a set of the early 78 15x8 snowflakes argent rims. I'm looking to restore. Does anyone know the correct formula and color for these rims. So I can get some paint mixed up. Thanks guys

The paint chips I have have the blue, red and gray paint codes, the SE code I've never seen, you see body color, that's wrong.
I have a nos Kelsey Hayes 7" flake, it has the correct gray on. Could have that matched, it isn't faded either.

[burd]

I think there is a Tech bulletin on the flakes, I'll look. I remember seeing something. Maybe it was hours to charge to re-do them not sure.

[burd]

Matt, I'll call you. There is a 6 page tech bulletin on paints, suppliers, paints used at which factory, all the various supplier paint formulas, interior, body, non metal paints, inc wheel and snowflake, too much to post.

[pippintook]

POR-15 "Glisten" has positive feedback. Anyone have another specific clearcoat product they used (on alum wheels - ideally, WS6) and their experience - good or bad ?

[burd]

I wouldn't clear them, use magic wadding every few years, they stay great.