What is the best method for removing clear coat from aluminum wheels?

Question

Lacquer thinner is an effective solvent, but it is a slow process. There are small grooves on the surface of the wheel, like the grooves on a record, and I don't want to ruin them with something as harsh as sandpaper or emery cloth.

Answer 1

walmart, 2-3 cans of aircraft stripper...will remove paint from anything!

Answer 2

Try a good quality paint stripper, although it will be messy. Personally I'd leave it, it makes things SO much easier to keep looking nice.

Answer 3

if use stripper on them it will eat all the way in to the wheel ,you cant use it on aluminum without it leaving a dull tarnished look to the wheels,you may be able to use thin coats of it,but wet sanding is a lot better method,its time consuming though,i have used stripper before but you really have to be careful with it,good luck,,,PS after you get the clear off of those use rubbing compound and buff them out and they will look like chrome wheels,i have don't that before it takes a lot of time but it sure does give a nice look to aluminum,

Answer 4

I've worked with those machined wheels quite a bit.Paint stripper will take the clear off and leave the machining untouched if they are done carefully and power washed afterward.Before doing that,it might be best to work with the clearcoat that's on it now.When the clear gets cloudy and weathered it can easily be restored by lightly scuff sanding them with waterproof 1000 grit sandpaper the respraying them .They are originally sprayed with two part urethane clear,the same product used on the body over the base coat.If the existing clear is removed the surface will be quickly damaged by fingerprints and it will streak. Removing the clear is a risky task that will probably end in disappointment.