[jsarnold]

I picked up a set of used American Racing aluminum wheels for cheap. Clear coat is mostly gone but I need to remove the rest so I can polish them. I've tried acetone, lacquer thinner, Kleen Strip and carb cleaner. NOTHING is removing the old clear. Used a third of a can of Kleen Strip and brushed for 2 hours with little effect. Carb cleaner wasn't working any better.

I want a chemical strip because the wheels have the fake rivits that would take a lifetime to sand around. And, even 2000 grit leaves a dull finish that I think would take a LONG time to buff out.

Has anyone used a power washer to strip alum wheels? I might try that if I can't find a chemical strip that works without discoloring the alum. I'm sure I could strip the wheels that way but not sure how they'd look when it done.

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

[Rustydawg]

I've used a product from mar-hyde called "Aircraft Coating Remover" to do just what you describe.

It's stinky and toxic but effective.

[jsarnold]

Thanks, I'll try it. Ordered a gal for $30 shipped.

[Hwyhogg]

please post pics as you go, I've got a set of wheels needing the same thing...once my truck is driveable
thanks,
James
p.s. got any pics of the wheels in present condition?

[jsarnold]

No pictures yet but I'll post some before and after pics when I do it. Maybe some warmer weather will arrive along with the stripper. Kinda chilly out there for the next week.

[200horse]

CMA makes the best stripper out there. You put it on let it dry and your done no big mess. Almost all the MAACOS use it. The product makes aircraft stripper look silly

[Hwyhogg]

200, what does CMA stand for?
thanks

[200horse]

i am not sure what it stands for the company just makes strippers,some clears, and a few other items even a nice spray mask. They use to do alot for Mar-hyde i think before the started to make there own products. I will try to find there website and post its nothing fancy

think there website is www.cmaproducts.com only items i have used is the stripper and fast dry clear both worked well

[302 Z28]

The key to getting the most out of chemical stripper is to not let it dry out. If you can some how coat the surface area of the rims and seal them in a plastic bag overnight the stripper may work better. FWIW, do not fall for the "Aircraft Stripper" hype. A while ago I posted links to two MSD sheets, one for regular stripper and one for aircraft stripper from the same manufacturer. The ingredients and proportions on both were identical.

Vince

[200horse]

Originally Posted by 302 Z28

The key to getting the most out of chemical stripper is to not let it dry out. If you can some how coat the surface area of the rims and seal them in a plastic bag overnight the stripper may work better. FWIW, do not fall for the "Aircraft Stripper" hype. A while ago I posted links to two MSD sheets, one for regular stripper and one for aircraft stripper from the same manufacturer. The ingredients and proportions on both were identical.

Vince

the CMA strip it dry is made to dry out so you do not have a mess great product people just do not know about. the guys at CMA says its better than there aircraft type stripper

real air craft strippers have some properties required on aircrafts from my understanding

[red65mustang]

agree with vince,,,cover it while still wet...
put a dab of your brand stripper on a piece of a polyethylene trash bag and/or a piece of saran wrap (pvdc) to know the stripper does not react with the plastic...
no reaction just lay the plastic to be tight on top of the wet stripper...

lol,,,think of it as marinating some meat,,,it takes time to work it's way in...

wheel coatings gotta' be extremely tough to stand up to stones and brakes heat...

ergo,,,they are a challange to remove...

[jsarnold]

Good ideas. I'll try the plastic cover trick with both Kleen Strip and Mar-Hyde and see what works best. Keeping them wet overnight should be more effective. Wonder why the manufacturers didn't think of that. Haven't seen the Mar-Hyde instructions yet but Kleen Strip just suggested using the plastic brush to help things along. Didn't work.

[red65mustang]

just my $.02:
Kleen Strip is better suited for removing "air dry" cure coatings like enamels and acrylics...

the coating on the wheels is very likely a 2 part catalytic reaction material...
(could be urathane/poly urathane/acrylic urathane or epoxy base)

I've not used it for stripping wheels coating,,, but Jasco brand "Premium Paint and Epoxy Stripper" does do darn well for lifting 2 part epoxies...
(Lowes/$9?) "if" the Kleen Strip soak won't lift it after a couple of days and applications...

Hwy,,,lol,,,no I don't sell the stuff,,,have used 10-20 brands over the years on many different applications and the Jasco is by far the best for the money on anything...

[red65mustang]

200horse,
I read the TDS on the CMA site...

the Jasco does work the exact same as the CMA stripper,,,"pops" the paint up and goes totally dry so you can just brush/blow/lift the old paint off in sheets...

That's why I do like the Jasco so much (no mess),,,plus Jasco is a thick/almost gel that clings excellent so no need to do a bunch of tape and paper...

is the CMA thick or thin consistancy????

[red65mustang]

jsa,

first post says you kept brushing the stripper...

not good,,,

you want to blob it on and only work with a brush to level it like you were frosting a cake then leave it alone...

also do it in a shady spot,,,not in direct sunlight