35th Anniversary Wheel Project

[nascarnate326]

I know this may sound stupid as can be...but did you try simple green? Other then that...you may be SOL.

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

This stuff is tougher than any polishing tip on a Dremel...that Aircraft stripper can take paint off walls from a foot away after just being uncapped...and I'm not sure I would recommend using power tools on the wheels at all...

I could re-propose what I did 200 posts ago...

That was a low blow...funny...but low...sorry...lol...

I'll be quiet now...

[my95z28]

lol, I think that may be his only option now

[phoenix_rising]

Why not spray the inside with some paint and use a dremel to grind and polish the surface? It seems like you are already 1/2 there.

[JoeliusZ28]

This stuff is tougher than any polishing tip on a Dremel...that Aircraft stripper can take paint off walls from a foot away after just being uncapped...and I'm not sure I would recommend using power tools on the wheels at all...

I could re-propose what I did 200 posts ago...

That was a low blow...funny...but low...sorry...lol...

I'll be quiet now...

A sensitive as this surface is, im not sure it would survive any form of media blasting. Ive scratched it with a soft peice of wood already and even using metal polish with my fingers hasnt resulted well.

I think i am going to resort to the sand paper and polish them. Nothing else I can really do at this point. Even if I had them media blasted they are already damaged to the point im not going to be completely thrilled with the result.

The metal is WAY too soft to use any type of dremel-like device on it.

[WMCC Doug]

Joel,

Maybe a call to a wheel refinisher would be in order. They refinish damaged factory wheels all the time so I would think they must have a way of stripping off the original factory finish/coating. I know when you get a set of refurbished factory wheels, they look brand new.

Hopefully they would be nice enough to tell you what they use to strip the wheels prior to the refurbishing process.

You might ask them what they would charge you to refurbish these wheels and make them the 35th Anniversary colors?

What ever you do, don't sand blast them. I made the mistake of believing a local sand blaster who told me a motorcycle wheel I had, would come out OK. Well the sand blasting nearly ruined the wheel having roughed up the surface so bad, they are very difficult to polish out. I have spent hours sanding to try to remove the pits caused by the sand blasting so the wheel can be polished. It's still not good enough to polish.

[Derek]

why dont you just wipe them with some sort of cloth while they are still wet with the remover? that way the paint doesnt re-adhere when they dry.

[JoeliusZ28]

why dont you just wipe them with some sort of cloth while they are still wet with the remover? that way the paint doesnt re-adhere when they dry.

um, believe me Im not just letting the chemical dry intentionally. Ive used a scrub brush, rag, peice of plastic, and a bunch of stuff when it is still wet. About 20 minutes after I apply it is prime time, after that it dries almost immediately.

I also have a spray bottle with water i use to try to keep them from drying and it doesnt really help.

Doug I would do that but I am broke - I cant afford to pay anyone to do anything to these. Im probably going to tuck them away until summer again and see what my funds allow later, but im probably going to just polish them. I think polishing will turn out nice, just take a while.

[my95z28]

um, believe me Im not just letting the chemical dry intentionally. Ive used a scrub brush, rag, peice of plastic, and a bunch of stuff when it is still wet. About 20 minutes after I apply it is prime time, after that it dries almost immediately.

I also have a spray bottle with water i use to try to keep them from drying and it doesnt really help.

Doug I would do that but I am broke - I cant afford to pay anyone to do anything to these. Im probably going to tuck them away until summer again and see what my funds allow later, but im probably going to just polish them. I think polishing will turn out nice, just take a while.

Are you still planning on doing what you said about the sides of the spokes? Sorry for being cryptic, but I don't think that you said anything on the site about it yet.

[Derek]

um, believe me Im not just letting the chemical dry intentionally. Ive used a scrub brush, rag, peice of plastic, and a bunch of stuff when it is still wet. About 20 minutes after I apply it is prime time, after that it dries almost immediately.

I also have a spray bottle with water i use to try to keep them from drying and it doesnt really help.

Doug I would do that but I am broke - I cant afford to pay anyone to do anything to these. Im probably going to tuck them away until summer again and see what my funds allow later, but im probably going to just polish them. I think polishing will turn out nice, just take a while.

you misunderstood him, he said to contact a refinisher to see if they could clue you in as to what technique they use to strip them, that wouldnt cost anything and would at least steer you in the right direction, maybe they use a special substance or maybe its all in technique.

[JoeliusZ28]

OK everyone, turn up your volumes, i have an anouncement!

fail.


I am going to hang on to them and eventually take them to a wheel refinisher if i dont go bigger than 17s before then.

[s.reef]

[JoeliusZ28]

nothing i can do about it.

the "spots" that i was having such a hard time with are there because the aluminum is pitted underneath them. therefore the finish is already ruined.

Also I want to keep the brain tumors to a minimum.

[PoorMan]

I will buy them if you give me a crackhead price.

[JoeliusZ28]

no ones stopping you from making an offer chances are I wont though because theyre worth more to me than the dirt theyre probably worth on the market now.