02_chevy_Z71

The other day when I was washing my car I noticed something funny happening to the rear passenger side wheel. I guess there is some type of plastic coating on top of the wheels and it is starting to peel and flake off. Has anyone else had this problem, what should I do?

stearnman

It's the clear-coat.

What to do? Get them re-finished? Not sure what the most cost effective way of doing this it...sorry.

Fast Eddiz

Some folks, like myself, take aircraft paint remover to them. It also takes a little elbow grease. This takes it down to the bare metal. I found the paint remover in the quart can to be more cost effective than the spray cans. Don't forget to use a chemical resistant brush.

TA

You've done pretty well if your 12 year wheels are just starting to peel.

02_chevy_Z71

It has been a garage queen most of its life, I just rolled 80K on it. Using something to remove it was what I was thinking also, but I didnt know what would be good to use, thanks guys! If I had money lying around I would put C6 5 stars on them.

VenkmanP

Most of them started looking crappy after 5-6 years.

aminnich

I have posted this before, but here goes again. Get some spray cans, 2 cans will do all four wheels, of paint remover from your local Lowe's or Home Depot. Be SURE you do not get any overspray on the car, nor on the tires as it also eats rubber. Tape of valve stems as well. Spray on the paint remover, in about 3-5 minutes you can hose off all the old clearcoat. Then with some fine steel wool and aluminum polish you can shine them back up. They won't look factory again, but they will clean up and look nice. They could be reclear coated, or left au naturale, which is what I did. Six months later and look good as when I stripped and shined them. Figure about 1 hour per wheel.

Before and After (guess which is which)


Back on the car

pcolt94

Is it my correct assumption that you removed the tires from the wheels to do this?

aminnich

Correct! Some have done it with wheels on the car. Considering the paint remover would destroy the car paint that is too risky for me. Since I decided to take them off the car I went ahead and took the tires off as well, which I really did not have to do.

02_chevy_Z71

Those look really good, Thats probably the route I will go, i like the way those look. Thanks again

creoleman

Wow, you guys! That's something I wish I knew years ago, before replacing my old sawblades with aftermarket rims.Still have them in boxes in storage, though.Hmmm...