Hey guys-

Currently, I've got a set of 16x8 91-92 Z28 wheels w/ the white paint trim on them that I'm testing out. I'm having major brake dust build-up problems... it's getting into the paint and I am getting tired of detailing them every 2 days... at the same time, I really like these wheels, so...

My question is, can I strip the paint off these wheels?

How should I go about doing it? can it be done with the wheels mounted?

What product(s) do I need to remove the paint?

Thanks dudes!

-ONE2FLY

 

Yes, this can be done. I did it to oen of mine, until I found it took me a month to polish it!! Anyway, this is how I did it. Take the wheel/rim off the car. Leave the tire on the rim, it will be fine. I took a yellow paint marker, and marked where my wheels weight was, and then removed the weight. I bought some spray can aircraft paint remover, and followed the directions on the can. Now, if I did it again, this is how I would do it. Instead of using the spray can, get the brush on type. Its made by the same company, but I think it comes in a gallon can, and you have to brush it on. It works 10 times better than the spray does. I used the spray can, and it took all the clear coat off, and most of the red paint, but I needed something stronger for the tough spots of red.

 

How long did it take you to remove all the paint? Is it instantaneous or did you have to apply several layers of remover? Can I wipe it off with a rag?

Doesn't using aircraft paint remover take off the clear coat?

Will the wheels look like the un-painted versions of the 91-92 Z28 rims? or will they need to be sanded down, or anything?

Thanks

-ONE2FLY

 

The spray stuff I used worked within 5 minutes. It took all the clear coat off in 2 applications. I would not suggest using a rag. A body filler applicator, or I used an old calling card, works better. Yes, it will take the clear coat off, but if you want the paint off, the clear has to come off first. When finished it looks like the dull aluminum, so yes, like the un-painted ones. Now if you want to polish it, set off a lot of time. It took me about a month to do one rim, working on it for a couple hours a night, and on the weekends.

 

Or you could use tape them off and paint the white areas a gray color like GM did. It'd be a lot less work and you wouldn't have to screw with removing the clearcoat, just paint right over it. Also if you remove the clear coat you'll need to polish the wheels frequently or they'll oxidize.