Removing Clearcoat from Wheels
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
Removing Clearcoat from Wheels
I am in the process of removing the clearcoat and buffing up the wheels on my '89 due to clearcoat peeling and dark stains. So far, this has been a real pain-in-the-butt process using steel wool and wet sandpaper. Any suggestions?
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,306
Likes: 15
Originally Posted by GemVETTE
I am in the process of removing the clearcoat and buffing up the wheels on my '89 due to clearcoat peeling and dark stains. So far, this has been a real pain-in-the-butt process using steel wool and wet sandpaper. Any suggestions?
Yes, its a nightmare - pay a professional about $550 and they will be like new.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach Florida
Originally Posted by C4VetteLT1
Paint stripper would be much easier to work with. Clear-coat will strip off just like any other paint would.
That may stain or darken the Aluminum. I wouldn't try it.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: dickson tn.
claer coat removal
air craft remover from any parts store spray works best spray on wiat a few spray off with water hose will not harm wheels i did a set of z28 wheels and they looked great very easy to do also
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,293
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From: Big Bear City CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Nah, we've been doing this on aluminum aircraft for the past 15 years with no ill effects. We even polish the aluminum to a high chrome finish after stripping the paint and have no problems whatsoever.
Living proof pictured below!
Living proof pictured below!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,293
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From: Big Bear City CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by Justardnck
Well as long as you have done it before I guess it will work. I just never done it before and it sounded risky.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Originally Posted by GemVETTE
I am in the process of removing the clearcoat and buffing up the wheels on my '89 due to clearcoat peeling and dark stains. So far, this has been a real pain-in-the-butt process using steel wool and wet sandpaper. Any suggestions?
Then the real work starts...To get a mirror finish you must sand all the machining grooves out. I used 360, 400, 600, 1000, 1500 grit wet paper and finished it off with fine cut rubbing compound. All done by hand. The finishing touch was Mother's Billet Metal polish. almost perfect mirror finish.
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/krichar/...torage2004.htm
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,824
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange Florida
oxidation is what causes the dulling of bare aluminum.Acid will dull the heck outta them fast!....paint stripper won't do a thing but strip paint.Careful on leaving it on rubber too long ...as in hours not minutes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 0
From: West Palm Beach Florida
Originally Posted by Atok
I used TalStrip-2 Aircraft stripper. It took about 5 minutes to strip all the clearcoat and paint from my '95 wheels. It left the wheels VERY clean.
Then the real work starts...To get a mirror finish you must sand all the machining grooves out. I used 360, 400, 600, 1000, 1500 grit wet paper and finished it off with fine cut rubbing compound. All done by hand. The finishing touch was Mother's Billet Metal polish. almost perfect mirror finish.
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/krichar/...torage2004.htm
Then the real work starts...To get a mirror finish you must sand all the machining grooves out. I used 360, 400, 600, 1000, 1500 grit wet paper and finished it off with fine cut rubbing compound. All done by hand. The finishing touch was Mother's Billet Metal polish. almost perfect mirror finish.
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/krichar/...torage2004.htm
Man that looks awsome... you got me thinking of not buying ZR1s now. How is the up keep on those now? What did you seal those with?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 178
Likes: 3
From: Evansville IN
Did the wheels on my 89 last spring. Aircraft stripper works great, you can actually see the clearcoat crackle and lift while brushing it on. Get the jug instead of the aerosol. It's easier and more accurate to apply and much cheaper. Make sure you hose it down good afterwards. Don't forget to remove the plastic inserts in the centercaps before doing them. Still a pain polishing them but well worth the effort when your done. Did mine in two weekends. You can pay to have it done, but I always feel better having done it myself. Good luck and happy polishing. 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,908
Likes: 735
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
How is the up keep on those now? What did you seal those with?
Justardnck
Justardnck
What do you do with the wheels after you have stripped and polished? Clearcoat again? Or something else?
Is this job (stripping & polishing) easier to do with the tires off or can it be done with the tires on? This looks like a good project over the winter.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
OK, before we scare the he11 outa this guy.......... I used the water soluable paint stripper found at OSH. Its about 8 bucks a can and should easily do four wheels. After removing the wheels (leave tires on wheels) from the car I let'em sit in the sun and get warm. Then applied a coat of the stripper with a cheap brush and then waited a bit before cleaning off with the garden hose. Reapply as necessary. Once I had the clear off I used a buffing wheel on the drill motor and some Mothers aluminum polish. Start to finish was 6 hours. They look great and will continue to brighten after each polishing.
-JRC-
-JRC-
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 1
From: Shelby Township Michigan
I started to do one wheel with the aircraft stripper. I then gave up and had them done. They bead blasted them and re-clearcoated them. I could not be happier.
Good luck. Use a good clear coat and take your time. It is well worth the work.
Dino
Good luck. Use a good clear coat and take your time. It is well worth the work.
Dino
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Huntley Il
Originally Posted by Atok
I used TalStrip-2 Aircraft stripper. It took about 5 minutes to strip all the clearcoat and paint from my '95 wheels. It left the wheels VERY clean.
Then the real work starts...To get a mirror finish you must sand all the machining grooves out. I used 360, 400, 600, 1000, 1500 grit wet paper and finished it off with fine cut rubbing compound. All done by hand. The finishing touch was Mother's Billet Metal polish. almost perfect mirror finish.
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/krichar/...torage2004.htm
Then the real work starts...To get a mirror finish you must sand all the machining grooves out. I used 360, 400, 600, 1000, 1500 grit wet paper and finished it off with fine cut rubbing compound. All done by hand. The finishing touch was Mother's Billet Metal polish. almost perfect mirror finish.
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/krichar/...torage2004.htm
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: Evansville IN
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Tal-Strip works best on aluminum, as that is what it is made for. Never have used it on Corvette wheels, but have used it on other aluminum wheels, with remarkable results. I let them warm in the sun, not hot, as this will dry the stripper out. Move them to a nice shady spot, apply the stripper and let it work its magic, doesn't hurt to have your favorite beverage while you wait 10-15 minutes and spray them with the hose. You may have some stubborn spots, so let the wheels warm in the sun again, and reapply. Usually the second or third time they are spotless. This is just my experience, your results may vary. Have fun with your project.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I followed a similar path as Atok. I used aircraft stripper I got at Autozone and used an old paint brush to apply. Be careful to not get the stripper on the fins of the sawblades that you don't want to remove the clearcoat and paint. I put ductape on the sidewall of the wheel to keep the aluminum dust off the sidewall. I started with 220 sandpaper to get the machine grooves out and sanded all the way up to 2000 grit. I tried the compound and buffing wheel on a scrap piece of aluminum but I never did get the hang of it. I have three wheels finished and one to go. I feel it was worth it and the look I get from people who find out I did it by hand is priceless. I have pics if anybody wants them, just email me.
Atok, email sent regarding fine cut rubbing compound.
Atok, email sent regarding fine cut rubbing compound.
Last edited by iceman_t1; Nov 23, 2004 at 03:13 PM.
