Stripping, Polishing, And Refinishing Aluminum Wheels

[Oddmodman]

When stripping down an old aluminum wheel to sand/polish, will regular old paintstripper take off all clearcoat without hurting the metal? Also, when finishing, most people like to use clearcoat so I've read. Can you just wax it instead? Or is that a bad idea because wheels are so close to the ground and get dirty so easily you'd be re-waxing once a week? Or can you clearcoat and then wax?

[Eagle]

Yes on the stripper. I use "Aircraft Stripper" from AutoZone.

 

Wax won't hold up for long. Aluminum exposed to air and moisture oxidizes on the surface. That's whay the factory clearcoats them in the first place.

[Oddmodman]

 Gotcha. I only asked about the wax as an alternative because I hear clearcoat can get nasty and be a giant pain.

[ParadiseMJ]

I've had great luck with Rustoleum clearcoat in the rattle can.  The same coating has been on my wheels for 4 yrs now.  No chipping, pitting or peeling.  All about the prep.

[rocks91mj]

My son and I run mickey Thompson wheels on 2 jeeps no clear coat they come from the factory just hi polish aluminum. not bad to keep clean we use mothers wheel polish with the ball they sell, if you keep up with it it's not a problem. If you get clear coat wheels and they get chipped and they will you will have a lot more work to make them look good again. Just my 2 cents !

[Oddmodman]

I believe they say Superior Industries on the inside of the Rims. 15x7. Gonna look them up. Good looking wheels in any case. Minimal clean up.