Thread: Remove clear lacquer from factory mag wheels

Tweet

Not being a painter. How do I clean the clear lacquer off of factory mag wheels and refinish them. Can someone guide me through the steps or point me to an appropriate post.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Two8tyThree

Not being a painter. How do I clean the clear lacquer off of factory mag wheels and refinish them. Can someone guide me through the steps or point me to an appropriate post.

Thanks

I'd be surprised if they have a lacquer protective layer, and would think it would be a clearcoat automotive finish. I would dismount the tires, apply a good quality paint stripper to remove the clear coat. Any stained or blemished areas sand with 800 up through 1200, then polish to blend the shine. When you're satisfied with the appearance clean them well, metal prep and apply two or three coats of quality clearcoat. After they cure you can polish out the clear if you need to, being careful not to burn through edges, but if you apply smooth they should be fine.

I did a set of TRX wheels from my now long gone '79 Mustang. I used paint stripper (barely touched the CC), chrome polish (ho hum), Mother's (fugedaboutit), red compound(wasted a couple hours) then started with steel wool which finally did the job. Then I spent several more hours bringing the luster back with chrome then Mother's. I never recoated them, but kept them clean and sparkling with good polish and regular cleaning. As far as refinishing them - according to the owner of Southern Polyurethanes, no commercially available clear coat, including any of his will last well. If you find a good method, please post as I have some 18" wheels on my truck that are in need of help

Some factory wheels are clear powdercoated not painted, the OEM alloy wheels on my Chevy daily driver are clear powdercoated over a two tone silver finish. That could explain why chrome polish, Mothers, etc didn't seem to help.

Mike

Originally Posted by Mike52

Some factory wheels are clear powdercoated not painted, the OEM alloy wheels on my Chevy daily driver are clear powdercoated over a two tone silver finish. That could explain why chrome polish, Mothers, etc didn't seem to help.

Mike

Mike,
That makes a lot of sense, based on trying to work with factory coatings.

to revmove clear air craft striper . to re clear a stock rim PPG DAU 75 with DXR80 i shot many well over 300+ rim for M&A with the stuff. as for getting stain out of the rim that takes some time. as most rims are a as machine finsh .were sanding will not get that look the stock clear is not bullet proof .the new guy shot the rim and tire with primer at a shop i work at .the boss wash the rim with lacquer thinner new eddy bauer i seen the boss wash the rim and them the clear crazed right up.he strip it shot it with dau 75 after he got all the stock clear off . the new guy still had a job after that trick ???

Thanks guys. I will do as suggested.
Good info here, didn't know there was a difference between clearcoat and clear lacquer. I guess I'm to old skool. I still think in enamel, I guess I'll have to relearn to be more modern.
Pat where is a good place to get air craft stripper? I have a True Value Auto Parts around the corner which is similar to NAPA in the States, I'll try there first I guess.

Thanks again for the info.

PS - IC2 Thanks for the suggestion I don't think I'll re-clearcoat them again as you stated.
I'll just keep up on polishing and the up keep and not drive them in bad weather (winter).

Take them to the car wash.....the nimrods there always took the clear coat off my wheels and claimed they didnt use any chemicals on the car!!!!!

mike in tucson

i used to get striper at the carquest or auto paint store

Thanks Pat
I'll ask the Body Shop Supplier by the Welding shop I deal at here.