I have a set of 87 IROC rims with the gold accents. I want to strip the gold and clearcoat (it's peeling in a couple area's) off and finish them to look like the plain aluminum ones. What is the best way and what are the best products to use ? Any info appreciated.

 

Use Aircraft Finish Stripper. Found in most auto stores, it comes in spray and brush.
Note: This is some nasty stuff use gloves and ventilation. Best used at room temperature or above.
good luck

 

Hey if you do this, send me some pictures of the final product...I also have rims that are gold accented, and want the all aluminum look, but I want to see how it turns out...

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DEEP RED 87 IROC-Z
350, 5.7 TPI, auto
Few bolt on mods
-3" Flowmaster catback system
-Accel plugs, wires, and distributor cap
-MSD coil
-K&N Airfilters
-SLP Airfoil
-Brand new paint job
-Hypertech Thermomaster Power Chip
-Hypertech 160 degree thermostat
More to come soon!!

 

Yeah, that aircraft stripper stuff means business. Took the clearcoat off my iroc rims in about 30 seconds. The other paint, mine was gray, took a little longer. I've heard that the spray can doesn't work as well though, so get the stuff in the metal jug and paint it on. And yes, gloves would be a good idea. The first time I used it I thought "skin irritant? yeah, whatever." But you get a blob of that on your skin and it'll let you know real fast. I don't think I've ever moved so fast in my life as I did running for the sink that day.

As for polishing the rims, I can't help you there. I sure would like to know how to shine them up. Anyone have any ideas? I've heard a dremmel will work, but I don't know what to put in the end of it.

 

Doing that right now. Tried the stripper method and it was way too slow.
Blasted the wheels inside and out just to get things uniform, then from #2 steel wool working all the way down to #0000 and several passes of Mothers.
Nearly finished the first one, total time spent per wheel about 2 hours. I'll post some pics when I can get them up. If you have anything that polishes better than Mother's I'd really like the info, Although it works, there's gotta be somthing better.

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"It's not about going fast all the time; It's knowing you can, anytime"

 

i think you guys motivated me to knock the gold off too!

 

if anyone is planning on polishing a set of the later (2 stripe) IROC wheels, I've got one front that is polished and I need an unpolished one. If you're interested in trading and saving a little time, let me know and we can probably work out a trade.

thanks
Clem

 

Lessons learned:
1. masking with tape takes time, use a sharp razor and take your time allowing just a slight edge to show(allows better grab by the paint).
2. don't just spray your new color where the old one was. Use primer, without it the paint will chip quick.
3. For those slight exposed lines use those foam backed nail file/sand paper, my daughter is still looking for her's(files).

 

The progress
<a href="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1627955&a=12442197&p=45687037"><img src="http://www.photopoint.com/images/pplogo3.gif" width="88" height="33" border="0" alt=""></a>

 

i just got my 87 iroc rims all fixed up to brand new again. it cost me $95 per rim and $35 per bent rim. this price is at cost cause my brother works at goodyear. i would just pay someone to do it, cause they probably have done it many times, and i got my rims back in 2 days. i am in the process of getting together the before and after pics of them. that's just what i would do.