Stripping aluminum wheels

[IronFreak]

So I have seen it done two ways, chemical and media blasting. What is the best way to go about stripping aluminum wheels? I have some style 32's That I want to refinish for my build and I want to make sure I don't mess up the surface.

What chemicals could be used that wouldn't eat or weaken aluminum?

What kind of media would you use in a blaster so it didn't eat the surface or leave a grainy feel?

Let me know!

Thanks.

[Rockwool2117]

paint thinner

[IronFreak]

I don't think paint thinner will strip powder coating very fast........

[brianao34]

I was cleaning some overspray off once with aircraft stripper and had a drop fall on my freshly powdercoated wheels, I wiped it off immediately, and it didn't pull all the powdercoat off, but it did start to eat it away. It would suck, but it's possible.

I had a set of basketweaves blasted for $75 once. FYI

But I would blast. Make sure you use glass beads or something that isn't going to pit the aluminum too bad.

[LJ851]

Aircraft remover takes powder coat off. I would start there.

[IronFreak]

Aircraft remover takes powder coat off. I would start there.

Cool, It's for the 32's I picked up. haven't decided on color yet but I need then stripped before I can paint!

[Mr. Tasty]

I used aircraft remover, took off the Powder coat on my gottis

[IronFreak]

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=385

This^^^

Or do you guys prefer something else?

[einstein57]

Aircraft stripper takes forever on powdercoat. Especially since the EPA cracked down on commercial grade sales. I get mine soda ash dipped. Usually cost a little bit more then what you end up paying for aircraft stripper but you don't have to clean up a mess or tend to your chemical burns afterwards.

[unevolved]

If it's just paint, Aircraft Remover is the way to go. It's designed to do exactly that, remove finishes from aluminum without damaging anything but the paint.

[cactusjacks1]

Aircraft stripper takes forever on powdercoat. Especially since the EPA cracked down on commercial grade sales. I get mine soda ash dipped. Usually cost a little bit more then what you end up paying for aircraft stripper but you don't have to clean up a mess or tend to your chemical burns afterwards.

+1 - this is the only way, goggle the process for your location.

[IronFreak]

+1 - this is the only way, goggle the process for your location.

I did, I'm not coming up with anything. Is this a chemical dipping process?

[oliver.r]

If the paint is not peeling or chipping you do not need to strip it off.
If it is chipped on some areas you just need to feather i smooth, primer and thats it.
Scuff the surface until it is no longer glossy and you are ready for a coat of paint

[cactusjacks1]

I did, I'm not coming up with anything. Is this a chemical dipping process?

Yes, it's a huge vat @ 6'x4'x40'. Heres what came up when I goggled So Ca. Maybe some of the key words will help you narrow your search.

http://www.thomasnet.com/southern-california/paint-removal-stripping-services-56149206-1.html

[IronFreak]

My problem is one wheel has a spot of rash. I'm going to have it fixed but I don;t know how they'll return it to me. I know they'll have to strip the area of the repair. and It's chipping on another wheel as well. We'll see. I found something called B17 on a powder coating site that a lot of guys use.