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Removing Paint from TJ wheels


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Hey guys...

 

Does anybody know if there is an "easy" way to remove the paint from a wheel. I have a full set of grizzly wheels from a TJ that I would like to use but I hate the dark grey paint. I would love it if I could just go to a polished aluminum. Any Ideas?

 

They look like these:

collinsbros_1940_42809762

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/collinsbros_1940_42809762

Why don't my pictures work?

 

Regards

 

Landon

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Hey guys...

 

Does anybody know if there is an "easy" way to remove the paint from a wheel. I have a full set of grizzly wheels from a TJ that I would like to use but I hate the dark grey paint. I would love it if I could just go to a polished aluminum. Any Ideas?

 

They look like these:

collinsbros_1940_42809762

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/collinsbros_1940_42809762

Why don't my pictures work?

 

Regards

 

Landon

Easiest way I can think is sandblasting. Kind of guessing, but I think brake fluid should remove the paint, but I don't know what it'll do to the rim.

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get a paint stripper. any generic one, you'll need a few gallons of it in the end probably. but use a paint stripper...that's what i used to get the corrosion and clear coat off my aluminum rims, and off my steelies before i blacked them out.

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Do not sandblast alloy wheels.

 

"Aircraft" stripper from the auto parts store will do it for you. It'll probably require two applications, maybe three. I usually take the rims to a coin-op car wash on a slow day. Set the rims out of the floor, paint on the stripper using a cheap chip brush from Lowe's or Home Depot (or Wal-Mart, sometimes), let it sit for just a couple of minutes, then blast it off with the power wand.

 

The first application usually gets about 75% of the coating off. The next one might do it if you're anal about getting into the small crevices. I'm often rushed, which ends up costing me time and quarters because I have to go back for a third round.

 

You can do it at home, especially if you have a power washer, but who wants a bunch of acid and paint slag on their driveway or lawn?

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Do not sandblast alloy wheels.

 

Why? Just curious, is it your opinion or some catistrofic failure that results from doing so.

 

I will say that a reg sand blast is far too abrasive for alloy wheels. Too much material is removed. But a fine abrasive works just fine. I have used it twice now with excellent results.

 

Still a better choice may be glass beading them. Is not as agreesive as sand but should work well on alloys.

 

Just curious, not flaming.

 

CW

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I'd either glass bead or aircraft strip them.

 

 

 

You want the real aircraft paint stripper. The non-ferrous metal one (ie, aluminum). That is, if you can find it. Which is probably not likely. The generic 'aircraft stripper' does work in its stead. Anyways, it actually works best in a cool place out of the sun - inside a garage for instance. Brush on, let sit. When I say let sit, I mean feel free to wander off for an hour or two if you want. Then take a brass brush and scrub the painted area with it. Then rinse with a hose. One application won't get it all, it never does. But if you scrub it with a brass brush you should only need two at most. Oh yeah, while scrubbing wear some goggles - and a good set of non-latex gloves are nice.

 

 

Oh, Eagle, AC stripper isn't acid. It's something FAR worse. However, water renders it totally neutral. We strip everything that's large outside on the grass next to the spare parts hanger and our personal aircraft float junkyard... Anyways, it won't hurt your lawn or anything like that - but the goopy paint residue that will be left on it is just kinda gross.

 

 

And if you want to glass bead them, it'll leave them in a matte finish. Find a u-blast-it and it'll only cost $20-30 at most. It is a pretty painless way to take the paint off though.

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