General Z

I already searched in depth on this and can't find much.

I was thinking of removing the paint on my 5 spoke ZR1/SS factory wheels and seeing what the aluminum looks like underneath. Any pics out there?

I am looking for info on this. What is the finish quality of the aluminum if you just chemically strip it? I don't know much about aluminum polishing. If I paid for this, how much do you figure it would run me?

Thank you

JackZ28

It should be fine. I recommend doing it yourself. It is so easy, and you don't even need expensive equipment. All you need is some sandpaper and some aluminum polish. I used a sanding block with 500 grit first, and then I went to 800 and 1000 respectively. Once you get the metal smooth and free of scratches, you just polish with a cotton rag. I used Eagle One wheel polish. I should have pics by Friday at the latest.

General Z

Awesome, I am very much looking forward to seeing your pics. Did you use a chemical stipping agent? If so, which one? I like a mettalic look, but not too shiny or chrome appearing. My Z28 is Hugger Orange, and I think chrome does not often look that good with it. The painted wheels have looked very good for me, but they have some nicks in the paint now and are looking kind of faded, so I thought I might go for a new look with the alumium. depending on how they look after chemical stripping, I may not even polish to a huge extent.

Thanks for the reply.

67SS&99SS

iTrader: (7)

Yea i wanna see pics too! I may do this. Thanks

Bad Blu Formula

iTrader: (3)

A buddy of mine tried this and failed like a champ.

mulletwearingtadrive

iTrader: (10)

JackZ28

I will take more tomorrow, but here are a few pics:

Bad Blu Formula

iTrader: (3)

Polish your center cap or get it painted Jack

nspr8td lt1

i believe you can use aircraft stripper to take the paint off. thats what i used on my nitrous bottle.

General Z

What did the buddy that failed like a champ end up doing in the end? Paint or scrap heap?

JackZ28

Thanks for the suggestion. I've toyed with the idea, but I was also trying to stick with the whole red/black theme. What do you not like about it? You're talking about the black part around the center cap, right, and not the cap itself?

ws6nick

iTrader: (1)

Aircraft stripper will work great. Dont forget to blast it with clearcoat after everything is said and done.

ZR2877

How bad did he mess them up? One of my wheels have a couple nicks in it and I would like a change to. What are the options after it's messed up. Do you repaint them or what?

skewba98z28

iTrader: (14)

I'd say go for it. Use aircraft stipper to take the paint off. Then polish them up and if it looks like **** paint them back silver or black. One of my friends had a GSX Eclispe (yeah I know rice) we painted his wheels three different times in a year. With Walmart spray paint and clear coat. They turned out nice every time. First they were gunmetal, then black, then gunmetal again.

67SS&99SS

iTrader: (7)

What do you all use to polish the wheels once you strip them? Mothers and a dremel? I really want to do this to my painted ZR1s. What brand of paint stripper do you recommend? I would appreciate all suggestions

General Z

lets get this thread back up to the top for more info.

JackZ28

I didn't use a dremel. I used elbow grease and Eagle One wheel polish after I had them nice and smooth with 1000 grit wet sandpaper..

DALLAS

so will this method work on the powder coated zr1's?

General Z

That paint on the ZR1 wheels is tough stuff. I have applied aircraft stripper, and all it has done is remove the clearcoat.

Maybe I should leave well enough alone.

General Z

Well, I took a spot off of one of the wheels. I kind of dig the dark unfinished aluminum look underneath. Not sure if I will polish it or not. But, the surface is not a clean surface. I knew it would be rough, which it is. But, its not a continuous rough surface. The section I stripped had a dip or divot in it. It looks bad. I thought it would be a continuous rough surface.

Is this how yours was too?