Wheel Clearcoat/Paint Restoration

[BlackMaxima]

I didn't want to add this to my last thread, but I am also interested in stripping the clearcoat off my wheels, repainting and re-clearcoating. Is that a word?
Anyway, who has some solid advice?

The only thing that I might regret is that my alloy wheels have a smooth machined finish, which I'd like to maintain. Is it possible to acheive that finish?

If not, I might be tempted to chrome the wheels instead of just painting.
Is there a reliable product for acheiving this, or is it a waste of time that will look crappy in a few months?

[mike@af]

Wheels are powdercoated usually, thus no clearcoat. The wheels would need to be acidically stripped, cleaned, then powdercoated again.

[BlackMaxima]

Actually, my aluminium alloy rims really are clearcoated.
In any event, I'm guessing the steps you noted for restoring them are the same regardless. I just thought I could use a liquid stripper myself, psand, prime, paint, etc...

[Markgase2000]

yes , a good acid is hydrophoric (not sure if spelled right) wear a mask and nitrile gloves spray it liberally on the rims let sit for 5 minutes nuetralize the acid with ph balanced soap and apply paint sealant as soon as they dry. Thats how on the clear coat rims just to clean them fast and rid of the rust and corrosion. The portions too far gone wont be removed tho.

[BlackMaxima]

Sounds like a plan. Thanks I'll look in to it.

[Markgase2000]

Savage acid from production , has a sulfuric and hydrophoric acids and works on any metals for stripping and cleaning. You gotta work fast after you nuetralize it , dry it quick and use a metal polish/sealant(aluminum mp/painted sealant) before it has natural chemical reactions and begins corroding.

[BlackMaxima]

Can you refer any brand by name, or should I just hunt it down generic items at Home Depot?

[BlackMaxima]

Also, when you say spray, how would I do that. Can it be bought in such a form, or do I have to put it it some kind of sprayer myself? I don't own any kind of paint gun, so I'm not entirely sure how to apply it.

[Markgase2000]

Bottle and spray nozzle just like your house hold cleaners are in(it comes bulk un mixed , can be diluted need youd need a sprayer). Spray it on (you better wear a mask and chem resistant nitrile gloves) let it kick in then spray it off with soap, or spray it on use a fine brush to aggitate it and then spray it off with soap. Take it from me , wear the gloves or you could end up having a trip to the hospital like i did. Another slight off topic tip with this product *spray excessively on tail pipes and mufflers that are rusty as hell , let it kick in for 2-5 minutes then respray it with acid and using heavy duty chem gloves(elbow length) grab the tail pipe and twist your hand around and around till a brown lather forms then spray it off with soap and walla new tail pipes. Works great on diesal ford truck exhausts that rust when brand new even..

[Markgase2000]

Originally Posted by BlackMaxima

Can you refer any brand by name, or should I just hunt it down generic items at Home Depot?

The products containing these chemicals (hydrophoric/sulphuric acids)
*Savage Acid , Pro Detail Supplies (Production Car Care Products)
*Alluminaze , Pro Detail Supplies (Production Car Care Products)
*Wire Wheel Cleaner , Pro Tec Seal Manufacturing

Savage acid and Wire Wheel Cleaner are the most potent(I use them straight) , the alluminaze is a watered down formula with some slight changes in the chemicals to make it safer on painted surfaces.
Any restoration shop will have acess to hydrophoric acids as well , they use it in vats and dip metals in it while it boils , more effective this way without aggitating it by hand. Learn all the msd info before using so you know the dangers. Like I said these chemicals put me in the hospital once because the lady using it at the time was ignorant and said its harmless. I was cleaning an interior years ago with the doors closed , she was spraying the acid off without using soap to nuetralize the acid , so the acid beacame airborn , she was wearing a respirator and failed to warn me of the acid in use. When I opened the door it ko'd me put me on my knees in a coughing fit , I was moved to fresh air , I was soo dizzy. I got a lil less dizzy drove to the hospital and my chest hurt like a tight ball was in it and popping and wheesing sensations when i breathed like water boiling in my lungs. I went to emergency and they saw me holding my chest , right away im on a gurny and put on a heart monitor , my heart rate was inconsistant , would slow right down then blast right up almost had a heart attack. They gave me oxigen for a couple hours and I felt a lil better. My avioli were bursting in my lungs poping like lil baloons. So research these chems before getting into it too deeply.