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+--- Thread: Wheel Stripper (/thread-wheel-stripper)
Wheel Stripper - martin0660 - 03-26-2005
Hey all,
I'm working on cleaning up a crusty set of snowflake wheels to mount my drag radials on. I didnt start out to restore a set, just make them look decent while on at the track.
Anyway, I was looking for a way to strip the peeling clear without damaging the wheels. I went looking for the "aircraft stripper" and found another product. It is made by the same guys that make the aircraft product but it is labels as "peeler" and sold in an aerosol can. It is labeled to remove clearcoat without damaging the basecaot for paint repair on panels.
This stuff was amazing on the wheels. One coat took almost all of the clear off, without touching the grey paint in the voids. After a second coat, almost all of the clear was gone except a little in some of the voids.
For the rest of the project, I just cleaned them with that acid type wheel cleaner, sanded the wheels smooth with 150 grit, rattle canned them with "aluminum" paint, masked the faces off, and painted the voids with hammertone grey.
I really wish I would have spent 10 more minutes on the prep of each wheel because they actually look nice. A little more work in the voids, and I might like them better than my refinished set on my car [Image: smile.gif]
Anyway, if you are looking to strip and refinish a set of the wheels you should look into this "peeler".
Bob Myers
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My 88 Thunderbird TC Pictures, Updated 3-19
[This message has been edited by martin0660 (edited 03-25-2005).]
RE: Wheel Stripper - Ryan H - 03-26-2005
Can we get some pics? I planned on doing just about the same thing. I used the "Aircraft Remover" and it sucked. It left lots of black crap in the wheel crevaces.
RE: Wheel Stripper - martin0660 - 03-26-2005
Sorry, I forgot to take pics of them in progress, and I have the paint on them now. I will post some pics of the finished wheels when I get them back from having the tires mounted.
I deffinately didnt have any black gunk. That what I liked about this product, it actually left the grey paint in the nooks and center in tact.
Bob Myers
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My 88 Thunderbird TC Pictures, Updated 3-19
RE: Wheel Stripper - Ryan H - 03-26-2005
I look forward to seeing this as I plan on refinishing my wheels very soon.
Thanks [Image: smile.gif]
Ryan
RE: Wheel Stripper - fred k - 03-26-2005
[QUOTE]Originally posted by martin0660:
[B]Hey all,
It is made by the same guys that make the aircraft product but it is labels as "peeler" and sold in an aerosol can. It is labeled to remove clearcoat without damaging the basecaot for paint repair on panels.
Bob Myers
Bob,
Who is the manufacturer and did you find this at an auto parts store like Advanced or NAPA?
Thanks, Fred
RE: Wheel Stripper - martin0660 - 03-26-2005
Quote:Originally posted by fred k:
Who is the manufacturer and did you find this at an auto parts store like Advanced or NAPA?
Fred,
The manufacturer is Klean Strip, the same guys that sell the paint stripper under the "aircraft" brand, only this stuff is labeled as "peeler".
I did a quick search, and found this link to a description and part number
http://www.handsontools.com/store/show_product/?product_id=8953
I got mine at a local auto parts chain (Auto Supermarket) in their paint and body section. I'm not sure if you will find it at a chain that doesent have a nice paint supply section????
Bob Myers
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My 88 Thunderbird TC Pictures, Updated 3-19
RE: Wheel Stripper - martin0660 - 03-26-2005
Okay, for those asking, here are some pictures.
For reference, the first picture is one of my spare wheels as found, this should show the peeling clearcoat and general condition.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/286291390/305511541cVcpTo
I took what I had left of the "Peeler" and sprayed it on another wheel. BTW, A can of this would probalby be good for two wheels. The wheels I painted looked better than this as I applied two coats, and washed the wheels with "cast wheel" cleaner between each application. This was one coat from the bottom of the can, and a quick wash. What i hope this shows is they grey still intact, and the peeling clearcoat gone.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/286291390/305511665avlPHv
These next two pictures are the finished product. As I said, I used a "bronze hammertone" paint as the background because I had it, and wanted the dark. The faces are just aluminum paint from Lowes, and I sprayed a quick caot of clear on them.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/286291390/305511808HmjzLA
http://community.webshots.com/photo/286291390/305511946bzgrFe
Like I said before, I wish I would have spent a little more time on them now, as they came out okay, but just a little more work would have made them real nice. I'm not terribly concerned as these are only for my drag radials, and will only be on at the track without center caps.
These are no where near show quality, but this might be a good way to fix up a set of wheels for a driver. The pictures probalby make them look a little better than they really are.
Bob Myers
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My 88 Thunderbird TC Pictures, Updated 3-19
RE: Wheel Stripper - t-bird88 - 03-26-2005
Cheapo carb cleaner from wal-mart is what worked for me. Just take your time and about 3 cans per wheel and plenty of rags.
Jim B [Image: biggrin.gif] .
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Gunmetal Grey 88 TC, 85 & 88 TC parts cars.
The miss is gone the new motor is broken in. Pics of the car up soon...I hope.
RE: Wheel Stripper - Ryan H - 03-27-2005
Martin,
Thanks for the useful info. I believe I'm going to do my wheels the same way you've done yours now, only with grey that is close to stock looking as possible [Image: smile.gif]
By the way, I saw cans of "Peeler" at my local Wal-Mart tonight, and it is made by Klean Strip. Hope this helps someone.
Ryan
RE: Wheel Stripper - fred k - 03-27-2005
Quote:Originally posted by Ryan H:
Martin,
Thanks for the useful info. I believe I'm going to do my wheels the same way you've done yours now, only with grey that is close to stock looking as possible [Image: smile.gif]
By the way, I saw cans of "Peeler" at my local Wal-Mart tonight, and it is made by Klean Strip. Hope this helps someone.
Ryan
Ditto Ryan,
Thank you both for the info..
Fred