potterc32

iTrader: (1)

I've been considering stripping and polishing my aluminum firebird turbo wheels. i want to completely strip the paint and clearcoat, and give them a smooth finish. what would be a good quality clearcoat to put on the bare aluminum to keep them from rusting or corroding?
has anyone ever tried this before?
if so can you post a few pics and point me in the right direction as far as the clearcoat?
thanks!!

T/Atime

i just finished removing clear coat with paint stripper. used a little bit of sand paper in the troulbe spots. then polished the rims with aluminum polish. "mothers". sanded/ masked the crosslace and painted black then clear coated just the center.
wheels look killer!! not sure about how bare aluminum will stand up to time. i plan on using a little bit of polish each time i wash the car. nothing has more shine then fresh polished aluminum.

potterc32

iTrader: (1)

I've also heard of people just polishing them, and using carnauba wax on the bare aluminum without clearcoating them. I'm not sure if i want to go through the hassle of polishing them every couple or few weeks and re-waxing them especially after i spend all my time stripping the paint and clear off of them.

How much more difficult would it be to just sand and polish without using a stripping chemical? (using an electric drill obviously) i really don't want to even mess with having to repaint the slots, i just want to polish the outermost surface and leave the slots as they are (the nice charcoal-ish color).

any pics of the 20 slot wheels without paint (polished aluminum)? would really like to see how this might turn out before i start.

T/Atime

well i can tell you this! my gta wheels look like new, i used this spray can that says paint stripper. i spray it on and 5min later i spray off with a hose. it does nothing to my paint. i purchased a power ball too. my time ive spent about 2.5hrs and finished 2 rims. sanding the crosslace spokes takes soooo much time. masking will take a long time with your case.

i decided to restore my wheel because i wanted something different then my gold (i went black w/clear coat), also my wheels were looking so worn out i really had nothing to loose.

T/Atime

Attachment 218434

andrewmp6

If you got the money get them powder coated clear it will last forever but isn't cheap.