I just layed on some aircraft stripper... Lets see what happens. After 1 minute, bubbles begin to form and stuff gets underway... I'll post pics of my progress, so anyone who wants to follow my success/failure will know what/whatnot to do.



This stuff looks like it's working alright... Depending on the pitting, I'll probably start around 200 grit and work up to 400-500, with some steel wool or something.

Any advice?

 

An all too famaliar sight!

I used aircraft stripper to get the majority of the paint off, then I went 180/220/320/400/400 Wet Then I buffed with Tripoli and White Route.

 

Did you bother sanding in the grey areas? Or did you just do the surface?

 

I did that on a set of Pontiac 6000 rims. I didn't really refinish it cause I just stripped it, sanded, and painted it the same color as the car. I'd like to see how it comes out.

But ever get that stripper stuff on your skin???.......Never thought I'd ever get the chance to say "Augh! It burns!!!" lol

Keep us updated!

 

Actually yeah, I did get some on my skin and it didn't do anything. No pain or irritation, mind you I washed it off after a minute or so.

The grey paint is a little more stubborn, but it's peeling up. I've put a few coats on. Almost time for the hose.

 

Really? Oh you are one of the lucky ones! I've never had the "pleasure" of feeling real acid.........but....I assume paint stripper is in a way......like dipping your hand into a vat of acid

 

OKAY... This is easier and less tedious than I thought. Everyone should do this!

BEFORE:

 

AFTER: And I'm not even done yet. Scotchbrite pads clear up white l;ettering ina hurry too Those T/As look new.

 

WOW! What a difference!

 

lookin good

 

Anyone know if I can get aircraft stripper in the UK? Do you have a brand name for it?

Cheers,
Mark.

 

I am doing the same thing now, except I am using Acetone to remove the paint and clear coat off the Z28 rims. So far it works good, but haven't had much time to do that much.

Those are looking good by the way. Amazing how much can change just by removing the clear coat.

 

Actually, removing the clear coat didn't do that much on its own. I started with a scothbrite pad to start removing the stain/pitting whatever it is. Then upgraded to steel weel, and then sandpaper. 220 grit works fairly quickly at getting the discoloration out, but the finish is dull. I'll probably sand up to 400 or so, or just 220 each rim and clear coat them over again... Any advice on what to use? Automotive clear coat, or just some varathane??? This was by far the worst rim on the car and the difference so far is incredible.

Right now I can't decide if I should paint the inside or just strip them bare... If anyone has done this is in the past and has some pictures, please post em!

Black or aluminum?
What kind of clear coat?
And what to use for polish?

I'm doing everything by hand here. If a dremel or something makes life easier... What kind of bit/attacthments should I grab?

I'm thinking maybe a cotton buffing wheel of some type on my dremel would be usefull for polishing, but this is all so new to me.

 

I'm sure you can... Probably just about every small aircraft operator uses some form of it. Stuff I used is called Tal-Strip II, by Mar-Hyde. About $50CAD bucks for my jug through Acklands Grainger. NAPA also sells it... Not sure in UK.

Go to your local industrial supplier or autoparts store. They should carry something or at least be able to point you to someone who does.

 

thats the stuff I used only it was in an aerosol can.

I did not paint mine on the inside

its an iroc wheel but you get the idea.

 

Damn that looks good. What did you use to protect the aluminum? Some sort of clearcoat?

 

Use a clear coat that is formulated for aluminum.
I believe PPg's used to be called dcd35. I Know Standox makes a good one that adheres to aluminum, is made for wheels and is rock hard. Can't remember the no.s But I can check at work

 

Well I buffed with Tripoli and White Rouge. Everything I have read states that highly polished aluminum resists everything that the clear did before. Other than that I just wax with a normal carnauba based wax to help out.

Water beads up on it np.

 

Im probably going to have them chromed at some point, I just wanted to clean em up in the mean time.

 

Thanks for the tips! Although I'll probably spray them later on, I think I'll give thema good polishing and wax for now...

4 coats later, the grey inner paint is still on ther ein some spots.. I've been toothbrushing the areas I dont want to sand.

I might go with the no paint look for a while and see if I like it. I can always spray one and see what it looks like and then undo it.

Firebird rim spokes are a bugger to sand

Pics to come.

 

Just to add.... Not only is paint stripper harmful to your skin but, also quite ruthless to your respiratory system if accidentally inhaled as well (more so with spray cans). Use a proper respirator (not a dust mask...) or at least make sure you use in a well ventilated area.

Common sense, maybe but, there's always someone a little shy on correct change once in awhile.

The best part about striping clear from wheels is alot of the time, no matter how crappy the clear looks, once stripped... you just get the 'wow!' effect of clean machined wheels and it helps the motivation a little. OR maybe it's just me...

 

Been doing the work outside in the fresh air. I've heard of guys being quite uncomfortable after using the aerosol indoors. Anyway... Some of this paint just wont come off. I liked the idea of having bare aluminum spokes, but it's been too much work to go this far on the first rim, and not all the paint is off. I think i'll buy some silver or light grey spray paint for the colored areas...

 

I know it's a PITA to get that grey out of the recessed areas but MAN!!!! They look 100 times better without.
I've always wanted to do that to my stock wheels, It makes them look like Formy wheels!!!!!

 

I agree, but I'm pushing 3 or 4 hours on this first rim. Even though it was in the worst condition, I doubt it'll be any easier to remove the small patchy spots on the next 3... My car isnt' nice enough for that kind of work

 

Heh, I think I had like 10 hours into just getting the paint off the first wheel I did... It got alot easier after that. I was pretty picky and getting those last little bits of grey off is a pain in the nuts.

Im probably going to mask mine off and do the centers black at some point in the near future.

Does it matter what type of paint I use? or just some generic dupli-color gloss black will work fine?

 

how about a heat gun to get the paint out of the recesses?

 

needs to be a heat resistant paint... get paint made for brake calipers if you plan on going with a spray can.

I got a guy that my father met a few days ago, he told my dad he can sandblast and powdercoat my rims for $100... I'm going to get that done, can't beat it with a stick!

 

Should I use any sort of Primer or just hit it with the heat resistant paint?

my plan is to tape it all off, then just go over the surface with paint prep to remove any particles / grime etc... and put a couple of coats of black heat resistant paint on.

sound good?

 

im pretty sure that the heat resistant paint doesnt need a primer to adhere to metal. just double check on the back of the can of paint you are about to use

 

If you look at the stuff Dupli-Color is putting out that is made for engines, it will work well on aluminum, plus, it needs no primer, just a clean surface. I was at the parts store today and saw that they had it in no less than 25 colors...

 

Yeah, thats the stuff I got.

 

NAPA here is useless! Anyway, I'm grabbing some cans of Duplicolor High Performance Wheel Cover from Cambodian Tire this weekend to finish my wheels. Probably graphite for the recesses and clear as a topcoat over everything else.

Sounds like decent stuff and it's only $7.99CAD a can. I bet 2 cans of each will be enough.

 

I can't find my CF card to take any pics, but the first 3 wheels turned out pretty good. Stripped the 3rd on my lunch break and sanded/painted in the evening after work. This Duplicolor stuff is fantastic! Pics to come. I might even post some sort of indepth step-by-step tutorial of my technique if I get around to that 4th wheel today... NOw to slosh some paint on the calipers and drums and put new rubber on next week... I'm going with directional Fuzion ZRi 225/60R15s all around. Only $120CAD installed and balanced per tire, vs $~140 for the BFG T/As I always use, and they sound like a superior tire as far as wet traction goes.

Unless you want a perfect finish on your rims, I wouldn't bother with the sandpapering up to ~400grit. I used scotch brite scrub pads cut into small chunks. After the clearcoat comes off, I attacked the curb rashed areas with 50 grit, then 80 grit, then the pads, and all the oxidization and corrosion came off with the pads... The clear coat adds quite a sheen anyway. Hopefully pics this afternoon..

Although discouraging at first, it does get easier with each rim and it's a satisfying project to complete, atleast for me. ~$70 on materials, which include some scrub pads, stripper and paint. Duplicolor High Perf. Wheel Coating I recommend.

 

Jim,
Let me know how that works out. Your pretty close to me, so I may be interested in going that route too.

I got mine done, they look good but arent perfect. Id like to find a place that would chrome them for a reasonable amount.

ill take some pics this weekend as the car is still back at my inlaws house.