WEASEL

Paint strippers!!! <img border="0" alt="[angel]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_angel.gif" /> What were you thinking? <img border="0" alt="[devil]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" />

I'm about to acquire some forged '01 Z06 wheels. I haven't decided how much of the wheel that I want to strip and polish if not the whole thing.

1. For those that know what they're doing, what are the best products and technique for doing this without damaging the aluminum underneath? Stripping agents, polishing wheels, sandpaper, compounds...???

2. Can I simply polish part of the wheel, like the rim, by masking it off or is there more to it than that?

3. What ever amount I decide to polish, is a simple wax or Zaino once in a while enough to protect it or do they need to be clearcoated/powdercoated clear?

4. If I polish just the rim of the wheel, is there much chance that the edge of the painted part will start chipping?

Thanks for any help or links to help! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

<small>[ November 22, 2002, 03:32 AM: Message edited by: WEASEL ]</small>

WEASEL

<img border="0" alt="[boring]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_zzz.gif" />

Sunset01SS

iTrader: (4)

I've been wondering about this too. I want to strip the silver paint off my 10 spoke SS rims and polish them. I am getting different rims for shows but I would like to have the 10 spokes look a bit nicer for tooling around town.

WEASEL

Hellooooooooooooooooo?! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

SublimeRT

Hmmmm, try this link http://www.eastwoodco.com , then click Buffing & Finishing on the left, and then click the tech article-Mag & Aluminum Wheel Polishing and Buffing. That seems to be a good article and what you're looking for. Hope it helps.
Good Luck

SublimeRT

Oh yeah, and for wheel polish, try to get this product called Wenol, I think Eastwood has it. I use it on my Halibrand 5-spokes to keep the aluminum looking new. It's the best, hands down.
C-ya

WEASEL

Jeez, I completely forgot they were a sponsor. Thanks! I'm not sure about the Wenol though. I haven't decided if it would be worth it to clear them after I polish them or just leave them with a raw finish.

SublimeRT...Are your wheels on a daily driver? How often do you have to polish them? Do you just do the face or the whole wheel? Time consuming?

I wish some more people would jump in here and tell me their hands on experience with coated vs uncoated polished wheels.

SublimeRT

WEASEL-My wheels were on my daily driver, but because the car was 30 years old (my Challenger) I didn't drive it in salty conditions and I tried not to drive in the rain. I washed the car about twice a week and did the wheels everytime I washed it, it didn't really take that long because my wheels are like Torq Thrust D's with the dark painted spokes, so I just basically had to polish the lip. They stayed looking brand new. I'm not sure I'd clear coat my wheels, just cause there isnt much I have to polish so it's no big deal, but if my whole wheel was just polished aluminum (like TT2's) I think I'd clear them, I'd hate to polish 4 whole 17" wheels.
Good Luck

WEASEL

Thanks! I'm going to start by just stripping/polishing the lip. There's an edge that runs to the inside of the lip that I'm going to use as a masking point.

I'll see how that looks or see if I can even do it first then go from there. Another lesson in patience I guess.

The wheels supposedly have about 500 miles on them so there shouldn't be too much work to do to them.

Vic@FishersAutomotive

I repair wheels at my shop so I can give you plenty of information. Chemicals do not work well. most wheels have a extremely durable coating (generaly chemically bonded and coated). Most of the I have to sand off the paint starting with 80 grit and goinmg all the may out to 2000 in stages or I will machine the entire wheel. A lot of the time there are casting flaws that will look wavey if polished. It really comes down to a LOT OF WORK to polish out. If you have any questions plese give me a call (225) 293-8573 .

WEASEL

Thanks Vic! I'm going to work on one wheel and then evaluate my time and effort and see if it's worth it.

If I thought I could get a shop to machine the lip for say...$50 per wheel, I'd probably go ahead and do that. Doing it yourself builds character <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> , but instant gratification is sooo nice! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

I would like to know what you use to sand with...hand, detailer, dremel???

Thanks!

DaddySS

Go to the POR15 website. They have a whole kit to strip, polish and refinish wheels.
http://www.por15.com/restorationkits.html

Tim98TA

iTrader: (7)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by WEASEL:
<strong>Thanks Vic! I'm going to work on one wheel and then evaluate my time and effort and see if it's worth it.

If I thought I could get a shop to machine the lip for say...$50 per wheel, I'd probably go ahead and do that. Doing it yourself builds character <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> , but instant gratification is sooo nice! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

I would like to know what you use to sand with...hand, detailer, dremel???

Thanks!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Believe me, I've watched Vic fix MANY a wheel. It AIN'T easy. He uses all sorts of hand, electric, and air tools to repair rims. Many grades of polish and sandpaper. Uses a lathe to reshape the outer edges.
Oh hell, I'll let him tell you the details. I might screw up. LOL

Tim

Tim98TA

iTrader: (7)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by WEASEL:
<strong>Thanks Vic! I'm going to work on one wheel and then evaluate my time and effort and see if it's worth it.

If I thought I could get a shop to machine the lip for say...$50 per wheel, I'd probably go ahead and do that. Doing it yourself builds character <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> , but instant gratification is sooo nice! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

I would like to know what you use to sand with...hand, detailer, dremel???

Thanks!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Believe me, I've watched Vic fix MANY a wheel. It AIN'T easy. He uses all sorts of hand, electric, and air tools to repair rims. Many grades of polish and sandpaper. Uses a lathe to reshape the outer edges.
Oh hell, I'll let him tell you the details. I might screw up. LOL

Tim