Clear-coated aluminum wheels

**Z06-Goose** · 03-09-2010, 02:10 PM

I remember a while back reading a thread about removing the clear off aluminum polished wheels.

What did you guys use to safely do that?

I have a Porsche to do, and the owner asked me to look at the wheels.
The clear on the wheels are turning yellow and started to peel off.
My suggestion to him was to strip the clear and polish the wheels up.

I'm looking for something safe that won't damage the aluminum.
Some suggestions I've heard so far are:

-Soda media blasting ( it may pit the wheels)??!!
-Paint stripper (too strong?)

If somebody remembers that thread, post a link if you would.
~Thx-Goose

**chuckie669** · 03-09-2010, 03:09 PM

What's up Goose. I'm sure its not my thread, but I recently acquired a set of speedlines and removed the clear coat of off them. Some pics in here (pg 2 has stripped pics). I bought the airplane stripper that can be found at o'reilly and borrowed a power washer.

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132212

I filled a metal bowl with the stripper, Made sure to tape off the tires where they met up with the rim (Important not to get on tires) and then used a soft bristle paint brush to apply only to the rim face. It took about 3 applications ( i tried varying times per coat from 10-30 min to hasten). I couldn't tell any issues to the aluminum when I re-applied the second and third coat where it was missing clear. I sloshed it back on.

There's probably better ways, but that's all I knew. I would probably dismount the tire next time as it was hard to get around the valve stem without brushing it on there.

**Z06-Goose** · 03-09-2010, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by chuckie669

What's up Goose. I'm sure its not my thread, but I recently acquired a set of speedlines and removed the clear coat of off them. Some pics in here (pg 2 has stripped pics). I bought the airplane stripper that can be found at o'reilly and borrowed a power washer.

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132212

I filled a metal bowl with the stripper, Made sure to tape off the tires where they met up with the rim (Important not to get on tires) and then used a soft bristle paint brush to apply only to the rim face. It took about 3 applications ( i tried varying times per coat from 10-30 min to hasten). I couldn't tell any issues to the aluminum when I re-applied the second and third coat where it was missing clear. I sloshed it back on.

There's probably better ways, but that's all I knew. I would probably dismount the tire next time as it was hard to get around the valve stem without brushing it on there.

Hi Chuck!

Since I posted this thread, I've gotten a lot of feedback and suggestions.
Your method pretty much matches the other ones I've read, so I feel confident now the paint stripper method is the way to go.
Thanks Charles!

**chuckie669** · 03-09-2010, 05:22 PM

Make sure to post up how they turn out. First time I've talked to you where I'm not going

.

**Z06-Goose** · 03-09-2010, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by chuckie669

Make sure to post up how they turn out. First time I've talked to you where I'm not going

.

I've gotta run the results of my research thru the owner of the car.
The PITA is to have to dismount the tires.
I'll see what he wants to do.
I've already have pics of the wheels while I was there today detailing his 91' Acura NSX