I got a set of canyon wheels that I wanted to paint but they have this odd calcium like build up on them. I have never seen anything like it before. I am sure that some good sanding will resolve this and I wanted to paint them black. I took a dremel to one of them and this stuff is brutal. Any suggestions here? Anyone ever deal with something like this before. The build up is around the center cap of each wheel.

 

i had the same calcium type residue on a couple of my stock rims

 

Aluminum wheels are known for this. In order to paint you must sand well, easiest thing to do is have them sand blasted. 4 wheels should be around $50.

 

if you have a harbor frieght near by, pick up a small blast gun and some aluminum oxide blast medium. that will remove everyting down to the bare metal.

 

Blasting will give a much more even look especialy when painting black

 

Thanks guys, I dont really have the funds right now for sandblasting. Super tight budget right now with a new baby and poor sales at work. So I am going to have to do this the old fashion way, a little elbow grease. Although I would like to find some way to make it a little easier.

 

More time than money is more common than you think take your time. Congrats on new baby I just had one too. Start with a 220 and work your way up. Aluminum needs the correct paint or it will not stick. West Marine and other marinas Sell paint that will work on aluminum and other metals. All colors are gloss but will look good

 

Ok so a dumb question but what about liquid sandpaper? i used this stuff once to strip a bike down and it was amazing. Would that penetrate enough to break the build up any?

 

ok, so I got a wire wheel for my drill and it just took all that crusty crap off. After I scuff them up a little and clean them up, what suggestions for primer and paint. I am going with black of course and I want something kind of glossy.

 

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=10304

One quart will paint all for rims inside and out. Use a small foam roller and small foam brush. The primer type is listed at the bottom of page. Don't try to use spray bomb it will flake off aluminum.