Stripping, refinishing aluminum wheels.
#1
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Stripping, refinishing aluminum wheels.
I got a set of aluminum wheels from a 97 grand Cherokee, but the clear coat is in terrible shape and needs stripped off to refinish.
It seems that there is some very light pitting under the clear in spots but I think it won't be a problem.
I'm gonna get some aircraft stripper and get as mich of the clear and paint off as possible then....???????????
I don't know if I should attempt to lightly sand and polish the wheels or have them powder coated a very close metallic color and paint the inside of the holes black, then clear over everything.
Has anyone had the pleasure of going through this and if so, any advice?
It seems that there is some very light pitting under the clear in spots but I think it won't be a problem.
I'm gonna get some aircraft stripper and get as mich of the clear and paint off as possible then....???????????
I don't know if I should attempt to lightly sand and polish the wheels or have them powder coated a very close metallic color and paint the inside of the holes black, then clear over everything.
Has anyone had the pleasure of going through this and if so, any advice?
#2
citristrip. It's not as deadly as aircraft stripper and it works awesome. Depending on the surface finish you are going for, sanding them will cause them to cease to be shiny. If you are painting them it won't matter.
#3
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Year: 1990 - 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I stripped, sanded, painted and clear coated mine.
Scuff the clear coat lightly with 240 or higher sandpaper. This will let the stripper cut into the clear easier.
Plan on several applications of stripper to get all the clear and paint off.
Lightly sand, scrub, or polish the wheels to get the finish on the aluminum you want.
If the tires are off, clean up the bead as well.
Paint the wheels if you want/need and let dry completely (a couple of days).
Tape off the wheels and paint the inserts. Carefully remove the tape.
Clearcoat.
Enjoy the new look!
Scuff the clear coat lightly with 240 or higher sandpaper. This will let the stripper cut into the clear easier.
Plan on several applications of stripper to get all the clear and paint off.
Lightly sand, scrub, or polish the wheels to get the finish on the aluminum you want.
If the tires are off, clean up the bead as well.
Paint the wheels if you want/need and let dry completely (a couple of days).
Tape off the wheels and paint the inserts. Carefully remove the tape.
Clearcoat.
Enjoy the new look!
#5
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Definitely leave the center caps silver i made the mistake of painting them. I simply scuffed primed n painted mine gloss black.
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Year: 89
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Originally Posted by papaj
Definitely leave the center caps silver i made the mistake of painting them. I simply scuffed primed n painted mine gloss black.
#7
I stripped, sanded, painted and clear coated mine.
Scuff the clear coat lightly with 240 or higher sandpaper. This will let the stripper cut into the clear easier.
Plan on several applications of stripper to get all the clear and paint off.
Lightly sand, scrub, or polish the wheels to get the finish on the aluminum you want.
If the tires are off, clean up the bead as well.
Paint the wheels if you want/need and let dry completely (a couple of days).
Tape off the wheels and paint the inserts. Carefully remove the tape.
Clearcoat.
Enjoy the new look!
Scuff the clear coat lightly with 240 or higher sandpaper. This will let the stripper cut into the clear easier.
Plan on several applications of stripper to get all the clear and paint off.
Lightly sand, scrub, or polish the wheels to get the finish on the aluminum you want.
If the tires are off, clean up the bead as well.
Paint the wheels if you want/need and let dry completely (a couple of days).
Tape off the wheels and paint the inserts. Carefully remove the tape.
Clearcoat.
Enjoy the new look!
If you get citristrip, you should only need 1 application. Citristrip is a gel and it sticks there. Come back an hour later and wipe it and the paint off.
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#8
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It smelled better, and seemed to work just as well.
I got one wheel almost completely stripped and need to break out the sand paper for the stuff that won't come off.
#10
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Year: 1990 - 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
#11
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I-6 High output
Here are my 10 holes after I did mine. I did it the hard way though. Lol. I wish I had thought about stripper. I used a wire wheel on an electric drill on the flat parts and in the holes I used a wire brush. It took forever but I think it turned out nice. Then I put a semi_gloss clear coat on. I wasn't going for polished, just uniform.
#12