Catman58

I have an 01 coupe that the clearcoat on the wheels is starting to come loose in some areas. Does anyone have a good method for removing the clearcoat on these wheels without damaging the aluminum?
Thanks in advance

frsr06

I'm in the process of stripping the clear coat on a spare set of wheels I just bought. I'm using a stripper made by Jasco that you can buy at Lowes. If the clear coat is peeling than you will need to repolish them. The polishing is a lot of work. Start with sanding away the pitting - I've started with 220 grit wet sand and gradually moving to 2500 grit. This is followed by the polishing starting with brown clay and finishing with white clay. Overall you will end up with about 10 hours into each wheel followed by a decision of what next - re-clear or leave them. If you leave them look forward to maintenance two or three times a year.

Catman58

Looks good yea I know they will need sanding and polishing. I have always used jewelers rouge and sewn cotton buffing wheels. Use to polish a lot of Harley parts. Thanks for you input.

Vetteman Jack

frsr06 - you did a great job polishing up that wheel. Lots of time as you said, but well worth it in the end.

frsr06

Thanks Jack!

Three more to go.

Bob

bjones7131

I have a spare set of gray painted and i assume clear coated thin spokes that i would like to give them the polished look. Would this same process and products be followed and used. They are n great shape as is. Thanks

frsr06

I can't say for sure as I have never dealt with painted wheels. When I took the clear off most of the shine was already there except in the barrel where there was some pitting. My guess is that you will find aluminum under the paint that needs a lot more polishing than I had to do. Worst case is that you would have to repaint them.

Catman58

That's what I'm talking about. You did a great job on polishing.
The difference between the clear coat and being polished doesn't even compare. As you said this will be a lot of work but defiantly worth it. I also think the maintenance on them would be worth the time. Are you using the cotton wheels on a drill for polishing? Or are you using another method ?
Thanks for the pictures.

frsr06

1. Wash off old dirt and brake dust

2. Strip inside and face

3. Repair inside and face. Starting with 220 and moving to 2500 sandpaper

4. Polish with brown clay bar - I'm using both a drill and a 6000rpm grinder with cotton wheel

5. Polish with white clay bar.

6. Decide whether to leave polished or re-clear coat - To be determined when I have all 4 wheels done.

I'm thinking that I'll keep three sets of tires and wheels for two cars so I can swap out without taking the cars out of service to repolish wheels.