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I started searching the forum for a thread with someone showing repainting their lug nuts, and got side tracked on not using the wheel locks. Ordered replacement anodized lug nuts from vertex, and that got me thinking: can the original lug nuts be anodized (re-anodized)? I'm thinking having them sand-blasted (not actual sand, but probably walnut shells) and refinished. Anyone ever do this?
I ended up stripping the anodizing and polishing them. The factory anodizing is a really durable coating. But 20 years of tires being removed, careless wrenching, etc does take a toll. Mine came out great to match my polished lips of my wheels.
If you are looking for a very cheap way to refinish them and don't mind having to reapply it every once in a while, you can just use a black sharpie. Last time I took a wheel off I thought I might as well try it, it didn't instantly come off when I put them back on and it survived one car was so far. I might try some sort of spray paint at some time because with my new wheels the lugs are much more visible and look pretty ugly with the scratched up coating.
Here is how they look after about two weeks.
Last edited by Andy Hodapp; 06-30-2018 at 06:28 PM.
I've refinished a few sets of lug nuts for Rennlisters over the years - bead blast, prep wash, etch prime, paint. With care, this finish can look good for years.
Not sure if this is true everywhere, but in the Bay Area I called around a few anodizing places and they all had a minimum order starting at $95. Add in media blasting to remove the old coating as an extra charge and the total job was equal to buying new ones...
06-30-2018, 11:08 AM
Lug Nuts Refinishing
besides...think of the resale value with original lug nuts. 
