I'm restoring a set of factory 16x8" '91/'92 Z28 alloy wheels for a '92 Z28 Z03 convertible that I'm restoring. It has a set of aftermarket wheels on it that don't do it justice, and I had a set of factory wheels behind my house with the clear coat just completely shot. I've seen a lot of guys strip them down, polish them up, and re-clear coat them.


But the amount of time I'm going to be spending with sand paper is very minimal. I found this product at a local paint shop made by Aircraft (stripper company), it comes in a spray can and it's a 5 minute stripper, works on clear coat and base coat, but not primer. Just what I needed...


I have a lot more pictures to show of just using this stuff, and no sanding or polishing. It's amazing how well it works. You just spray it off with pressurized air when it's done and clean it with a solvent. I made a couple videos of it in action that I'll upload later (my iPhone is in the middle of a big update, so i can't get the videos off my phone at the moment.)


For teasers, here you go. These will have the red accents just like the car would have had from the factory.


Before






After (no sanding or polishing yet, just using the stripper)







Going on this car

 

It's going to look much better with the factory wheels.

 

Where did you pick this stuff up? I'm looking for this type of product so I can do my wheels while my car is off the road getting paint and body work done, either this winter or more than likely in the spring.

 

I got it from a local auto part store that is locally owned, not a chain store. I don't think Autozone has it, check places that sell automotive paint products.

 

I believe the main Thirdgen.org page has a tutorial on this exact process using the aircraft stripper. Seems to work great. Good looking vert also. Look forward to seeing the finished product.

 

Yep that stuff works great. Ive used it for years to strip paint.
The Sanding process is for getting the grooved you can feel with your fingernail out before polishing. (smooth finish.)

You can paint strip them , polish them and re-clearcoat them. Will look great. Just not a true mirror looking polish job.

 

yeah, the hardest part of the job is getting those dad blasted grooves out... hate them

 

if you're going to polish them to a mirror finish, try a 1/4 sheet sander with 180grit to remove the grooves. The only spot you have to get by hand is on the lip side of the groove the runs around the wheel. The lowest spot of the lip, where the lip meets the face of the wheel, is hard to reach with the sander.

 

wow what a difference with just stripper.

 

Im wondering if this stuff will work on my wheels?Mine were chromed by the original owners.Wondering if i can use this stuff to remove the chrome and then repolish and clear coat them?

 

If its real chrome plating, I don't think it will do much more than maybe tarnish the finish on the wheels. Get them sand blasted, that should work.

 

ok thanks.Those came out pretty good for no sanding yet.

 

Yep same with my crosslaces. Used a Aircraft Stripper from Oreilly and with the clear off they shine like mad. I still have to sand them since they have some imperfections. For better wheels you can just strip and recoat and you are good to go.

Pictures of my laces.

 

Didn't care for them wheels when i first got my car but their really starting to grow on me, defiantly better than the aftermarket that you got on there now, cant wait to see the final result.


Always amazes me that people have never heard of aircraft strippers its everywhere around here even walmart carries the stuffcan get it in spray cans or by the gallon, Just gotta be careful of those fumes,made the mistake once of closing up the garage trying to keep it warm in the winter, didnt take long to get half sick