Hey so Ive got these stock 10 hole aluminum wheels with the rivets



They're coated in some weird white tan paint ish stuff that comes off pretty easy. I want to use a brush cup and a drill to get most of it off, then follow through with some 800 grit then some 1000 grit sandpaper. Will I be safe with the cup and the rivets, and do I need to cover my tires in something to keep from puncturing them? Also I'm going to use some sort of acetone or other stuff to do a final clean, are there any types or brands I should avoid getting on my tires?

Thanks!
Ps. Sorry if its in the wrong section, all the threads I researched got moved here so I'm trying to make it easy on you mods

 

I'd avoid aircraft stripper.
Scotch brite is easier to use than sandpaper and produces results. Don't forget the primer.

 

Thanks for the input! Will the scotch bright do the whole job of the sandpaper?

 

Scotch brite will really only dull the finish so the paint will stick. To get the old paint off, I recommend citristrip. That wire cup will likely gouge your wheels if it is real stiff.
Strip the old paint off, smooth out any big **** with sandpaper, like 400 or so, put the finishing smooth on with the scotch brite. Primer. scotch brite. (more primer and scotch brite steps can be added for ultimate smoothness) paint. paint. clear coat. clear coat.
Take your time. There are two things that ruin paint. Impatience and a ****ty prep job (which comes with impatience).

 

Ah gotcha, what I was planning on doing is a semi gloss/flat black on everything except the rivets and the inside of the holes, leave them as shiny as I can. I've got some projects I've got to do first, like seats and seatbelts, but I wanted to clear it up so I can plan ahead.

Thanks a bunch guys!

 

I went to Home Depot and got the Klean-Strip Stripper in the gold quart can. It was enough to do 5. Get a plastic spatula, a hard bristle plastic brush and a 2" throwaway brush. Line up all your wheels, apply the stripper liberally. By the time you are done with all your wheels you can start scrapping/brushing the clear/paint off of it. Then just rinse with water to get the residue left out, dry, tape and repaint.

Don't forget to where gloves..it burns! It didn't etch or do anything to the aluminum tho

Here is how it turned out after painting black and hammered silver

 

You might try a sort of removeable caulk or like rubber cement on the rivets to keep paint off them. Taping them will be a ***** and youll probably say **** it. LOL.

 

Yeah I think I know what I'm going to do now, and you're right those little bastards would not be worth the effort. I'm gonna do my spare this weekend to start, I need to find a good week where I don't need to drive and I have some free time. And no I won't say how till its done :P its a surprise. Not gonna do silver though, should be good...

 

lightly sand blast, Tape off tire, Paint. I my self would sand blast, then buff them out to a shine. They actually look good that way. JMO!

 

Without any coating they will oxidize quickly.

 

Don't have access to a sandblaster unfortunatley, and aluminum doesn't rust does it?

 

Bare aluminum oxidizes faster than steel.