Stock wheel question

DuramaxOnTheBrain · 09-20-2008, 09:43 AM

What would be the best way to remove the peeling clear coat from the stock aluminum wheels? I want to take it all off so I can spray paint them. Nothing fancy but I would like it to stick for a while so I want to prep them right. Thanks!

Mclovin1414 · 09-20-2008, 01:24 PM

If I were going to spray paint my rims, I'd take them to get sand blasted. It gets rid of the clear coat and preps the surface for the paint to stick.

**bigdaddydiesel** · 09-20-2008, 05:02 PM

You could get some Methal Ethal Keytone @ Lowes Hardware and strip them with it, it will strip anything, just make sure to prep them afterward with a good primer if you want the new paint to last. MEK will evaporate clean so there will not be a residue and it is easy...
Make sure to wear gloves and a mask...

DuramaxOnTheBrain · 09-20-2008, 06:12 PM

Thanks guys!

**Tow Master** · 09-20-2008, 10:45 PM

I agree with Mclovin. Your best bet by far would be to have them bead/sand blasted then sprayed with auto clear. Spray bombs would flake off fast with the heat IMO!

**daddysLBZ** · 09-20-2008, 10:52 PM

Ever looked at gettin them powdercoated?They'll last a while that way.Don't get fumed with the chemicals,be safe!!

Mclovin1414 · 09-21-2008, 12:25 AM

I cant remember where I bought it ( Princess Auto, I think, I dont know if u guys have them down there), but its a little cheap sandblaster with a 2L hopper on top, and you just hook it up to your air compressor. Id try one of them, it was like $40 for the gun, and a couple bucks for the bead. If u dont have a place that will do it for you, I'd look into one of them.

DuramaxOnTheBrain · 09-21-2008, 06:18 AM

Thanks guys, I was kinda worried that sandblasting might be too much for the soft aluminum but it would be worth a try to save some money on new wheels. I was thinking of using high temp grill paint or something to combat the heat. I'm kinda going for a rat truck look you know, like blacked out, not to fancy but mean and rugged and one day, FAST.... We don't have Princess but we have O'reilly's maybe they have one. I would love to get them powder coated but I was looking for as cheap as possible. Thanks again guys!

Brian

**bigdaddydiesel** · 09-21-2008, 07:19 AM

I recommended the MEK because it is all of the above, cheap, fast and easy...
and as long as you do it either outside or in a well ventilated shop you will not get "fumed"
On soft aluminum, if you are not extremely careful you can pit it, and cause harm to the rims...
As far as painting, high temp application Duplicolor spray paint from any auto store will work, duplicolor is great stuff!!! and can stand up to many applications, they even have some that will stand temps up to 1200 degrees, just make sure to apply it in light layers to get an even application that will not run.
IMO that would be the Easiest, Cheapest, and Most user friendly way to do what you want to do, I have done it many times on many different applications, and as far as temp resistance, I coated my boost tube and intake with duplicolor spray on bedliner and they have not flaked, and it even reduced my EGT's in the process!