Sandblast Road Wheels?

[Glennster]

I'm finally getting around to painting my wheels. As I began hand sanding these things, I quickly realized that I'm too lazy to do 5 wheels by hand. I've got a MOPAR buddy that's used a local guy to sandblast wheels for him. I know he had rally wheels, so I don't think there's any way to screw them up.
 I've got the 14'' Road (5 spoke) Wheel and I'm concerned about the sandblaster damaging the spokes on the wheels.
Any thoughts or advice???
THANKS ! ! !

BTW - Is the spoke section of these wheels Stainless Steel???

[71ChallengerSE]

A guy in my club sandblasted his road wheels, but he taped off the spokes and other portions before it was sandblasted and it turned out good.

[VTMopar]

I'm very interested in the responses you get to this question......    

I repainted the ones on my '74 a few years ago -- used a wire disk brush on a drill -- then light sandpaper -- and stayed totally away from the chromed parts.   It WAS a lot of work.....

Vermont MOPAR

[duodec]

Would a paint masking kit be helpful?  Perhaps if a less aggressive blasting media is used?

Year One has a kit, p/n SF23. but I can't make their stupid site provide a usable link.

[G_Man440]

I put glass bead in my sandblaster instead of the garnet I usually have in it. It is less abrasive. Blasting media is sold in lots of different types and grits. I masked the chrome with the heavier blue painters tape. The year one masking kit is a poor fit and does not cover all the chrome. The tape held up well and there was no damage to the chrome.

[Glennster]

I had a guy do the outside face only with plastic media. The plastic takes paint off but won't touch the rust. I hand sanded the rust that was left, then I started painting. The paint I got was supposed to be flat black, but, it turned out to be a pretty high gloss satin. So, I went over that with some flat black that I had lying around (1/4 can), it had a bad reaction........looks like CRAP!!!!!!
Lucky for me I'm doing all this on the spare wheel I just picked up.

I'm going back to the sandblaster, I'm going to have him blast the entire wheel with the regular media and see what happens, wish me luck!!!!!!!!!

BTW - I'm 99% sure that the spokes on these wheels are NOT chrome. After seeing the raw metal, I would say that the center spoke section of the wheel is Stainless Steel welded to the outer wheel which is plain old steel........After I get this thing blasted today, I think it will be more obvious. I'll try to post some pictures..................

[Glennster]

This was blased with plastic...

[Bullitt-]

satin black is probably more like it than flat

[wally426ci]

Sand will get stuck down between the rim & the hub area..... nearly impossible to get out.....