1986 Wheel Refinishing

[The Car Whisperer]

Does anyone here know how to properly refinish wheels from a 1986. I have had my wheels refinished 2 times by a local wheel shop. The wheels where stripped, the surfaces where CNC machined to restore the correct pattern on the face and then clear powdercoated. They never last more than 6 months without hideous white blotches appearing under the finish. These wheels never see the wheather, they are garaged almost all the time. Has anyone had long term success with refinishing this type of wheel. The shop that refinished them said that the 84 to 87 wheels are very porous and that's what causes the problems. Any experiences wheel finishing advice is welcome. How does chrome stand up on these wheels over time? Does it also have problems in time?

 

[Eagle85C4]

I removed all the clearcoat from mine and just use Mother's wheel polish....and since changing over to Raybestoes Pro pads I do not have any dust to speak of. Now just run a cloth over them or reapply a bit of polish...

 

[maxrevs85]

What are you guys using to strip the clear coat? Any extra steps before the mothers application?

 

[Eagle85C4]

Use acetone, Len (nyerga) has a novel idea...he soaked a rag and left it on the wheel to help in the removal as acetone evaporates rather quickly...

 

[The Car Whisperer]

Does the acetone work on powdercoated wheels?

 

[jbdezine]

Mirror like finishe

I turned my 86 rimms into mirrors. Thid is definetly not stock and does get rid of the grooves cut into the stock rims, but the look is great and easy to keep looking great.

1. remove the stock clearcoat - I used a extremely powerful paint remover. It was called aiplane paint remover.

2. use different grit sandpaper. 300 - 500 -900. 1200 wet? I don't remeber the correct number but from corse to very fine.

3. Use rough to fine compound polishing sticks. Sell at home depot or car painting stores.

4. then use mothers polishing for protection and a mirror finish.

This takes some time but the finish is perfect.

 

[CorvetteArchives]

What are you guys using to strip the clear coat? Any extra steps before the mothers application?

I wish I had a dollar 4 every time somebody asked this....
and 50 cents for everytime someone tells them the hard way to do it!!

Dont sand or polish 4 hours. Use 3M easy stripper. Its a gel that is safe for aluminum availabel in any hardware store! You put it on , let it sit for 10-20 minutes and the clearcoat Flakes off!! No spots or discoloration. PERFECT WHEELS!