Stripping the wheels

[outnumbered]

My plan was to have my wheels chromed, and ultimately, I will probably still do that. However, I am going to spend some time stripping the clearcoat off my wheels with airplane stripper to see how it looks. I'm thinking it might offer a good "in between" the stock look and chrome. Has anyone done this that would like to share their results?

 

[mjd91]

I've heard of it being done before.
If you do it you'll be able to polish them to look like chrome.

 

[hawk02]

Are all our wheels cleared??? Mine look machined with no clearcoat......

 

[seethrough]

What look are you going for? If you want a satin appearance I would suggest glass bead blasting them. I don't know how consistant of a finish paint stripper would leave.

 

[QuadFor4]

The last time I got new tires, they scratched the clear coat bad. They hired a company to recoat the wheels. Recoat looked terrible, so they stripped all of the wheels for me. They looked amazing for about a week. Then they started to get small oxidation spots. So I would polish them again. After about a month of this I ordered some Shark Hide aluminum sealer/ protectant. I have had it on for over a year now, and I will polish and re-seal them this spring. For the past year I have just had to clean the wheels as usuall. I would recommended that everyone that hates the way the brake dust builds up on the inner tub of our wheels, polish them up and seal the inner tub with Shark Hide. They will clean up a lot easier and look good a lot longer. I ordered from Eastwood, if you are interested, google Shark Hide.

 

[outnumbered]

That's what I was looking for. Thanks

 

[lightningKILLER]

Keep us updated with pictures. I'd love to clean my wheels up.

 

[QuadFor4]

I can tell you that my wheels look amazing with the clear coat stripped and highly polished.
It was a lot of work to maintain that polish before the sealer.

 

[outnumbered]

I can tell you that my wheels look amazing with the clear coat stripped and highly polished.
It was a lot of work to maintain that polish before the sealer.

What chemical did you use to get the clearcoat off?

 

[QuadFor4]

The company that screwed up the clear coat sent them in to have the clear coat removed. They tumbled the wheels to remove the clear coat. I was told it cost them $800.