Rim repair

[jedi]

My front passenger side rim is peeling. I looked online but did not see any info on how to fix this. Can anyone recommend a way to strip the (I think?) clear coat from the rim and if it is clear coat is it a specific type? I want to give this a try myself before I take it too a shop. Do I get a dremil tool for this or can I use something like paint remover?
Jedi

 

[Toms007]

Let start by saying this....I have not done this myself, but what I have read here and other forums is this. Go to AutoZone (I don't think it has to be AutoZone, but one of those chains) and buy an Aircraft paint stripper. I don't recall the exact name, but it is safe to use on aluminum. I have actually seen the stuff in our local AutoZone. From what has been said, it works really well to strip off the clearcoat. Then, if you want, you can polish the face of the wheels, and re-clear them or leave them without the clear.

 

[air1jpg]

Let start by saying this....I have not done this myself, but what I have read here and other forums is this. Go to AutoZone (I don't think it has to be AutoZone, but one of those chains) and buy an Aircraft paint stripper. I don't recall the exact name, but it is safe to use on aluminum. I have actually seen the stuff in our local AutoZone. From what has been said, it works really well to strip off the clearcoat. Then, if you want, you can polish the face of the wheels, and re-clear them or leave them without the clear.

Autozone also sells cans of spray Duplicolor / Clear Shield Coat. Does anyone kow if this stuff is any good for re-coating the wheels..

 

[kenmack]

BIN DER DONE DAT

Any stripper will work (brand name) usually takes two applications (rinse off with water).
My recommendation DO NOT RE CLEARCOAT.You'll never get it as good as the factory and look what happened to the factory application.
Once they are stripped take 4x0 steel wool and mothers aluminum and work it work it work it.SUPER RESULTS.

 

[jedi]

Any stripper will work (brand name) usually takes two applications (rinse off with water).
My recommendation DO NOT RE CLEARCOAT.You'll never get it as good as the factory and look what happened to the factory application.
Once they are stripped take 4x0 steel wool and mothers aluminum and work it work it work it.SUPER RESULTS.

Got pics of what it would look like?

 

[kenmack]

No pics till spring

Sorry, but If I were to describe it, the clear coat will polish up nice and have a satin look to it,slight swirl.
See93 40th anniversary corvettes "show your ruby" post #30
If you strip it and polish the raw aluminum,the best I can describe it is a bright shine with no satin haze or swirl.
I did this on a set of 87 wheels and only polished them maybe twice a year and they looked great,no deterioration for 9 years.
My take on the clear coat on factory wheels is that Most people don't know how or can't be bothered to clean and polish aluminum wheels. The clear coat lasts about as long as the warranty on a car subjected to year round driving. It satisfies the lazy wealthy masses who want the bling without the labour.
P.S. I think you might have to spray the insides of your rims, the part that's not flat.
It's quite easy to do, and you can clear coat the painted portion and polish out the flat surface areas (bead etc.)
If you want step by step let me know.

 

[jedi]

Sorry, but If I were to describe it, the clear coat will polish up nice and have a satin look to it,slight swirl.
See93 40th anniversary corvettes "show your ruby" post #30
If you strip it and polish the raw aluminum,the best I can describe it is a bright shine with no satin haze or swirl.
I did this on a set of 87 wheels and only polished them maybe twice a year and they looked great,no deterioration for 9 years.
My take on the clear coat on factory wheels is that Most people don't know how or can't be bothered to clean and polish aluminum wheels. The clear coat lasts about as long as the warranty on a car subjected to year round driving. It satisfies the lazy wealthy masses who want the bling without the labour.
P.S. I think you might have to spray the insides of your rims, the part that's not flat.
It's quite easy to do, and you can clear coat the painted portion and polish out the flat surface areas (bead etc.)
If you want step by step let me know.

Thanks, If I do this will I have an concerns about corosion? It's only one rim which has this problem. I would like to take you up on your offer of a step by step. To polish should I get a drimel tool to get in the small spaces?

 

[kenmack]

Corrosion an issue ???

If you look at a badly deteriorated aluminum rim with clear coat bubbling and subject to moisture salt etc.,the only thing that promotes corrosion is the clear coat once it's broken. The salt and moisture goes under the film,stays there and pits the aluminum over time.:eyerole(see 2yr old 3 series Bimmer)
With bare aluminum routine washing and polishing eliminates long term exposure to corrosive agents and resultant pitting.
I personally have only hand polished power tools are aggressive and don't leave a margin for error.
My thought is do all 4 wheels, do one completely first,and I think it will look so good you'll want to do the rest.The remaining three can be done assembly line, primer one while it dries clean the second,while it dries dismount the third etc.
First timer: If your not meticulous and patient the job quickly goes sideways eg;moisture on rim surface or contaminants not completely removed.It's not hard it just takes time.:cool

 

[jedi]

Thanks Kenmack. Would you mind sending me step by step instructions? Probably would be best to post here as I know this happens to alot of Vette owners based on the posts I have found.

 

[kenmack]

PICS

Attached thumbnails of other wheels
Left 01 S10 extreme with original clearcoat. satiny
right 89-90 Camaro iroc,repainted inserts with clear over and raw aluminum polished bead and spokes.super shiny
single click then double click for max size.

I' ll get back to you with step by step

 

[kenmack]

Step by Step

Coupla questions:
Have you ever used a spray bomb ?
Do you have a minimum 2-day window without the car ?
Do you have a warm dry place to paint that will tolerate paint dust ?
Do you have access to a tire machine or an understanding shop ?
I want you to be completely satisfied with the results,hence the questions.
I have been spray bombing car parts for 40 years and I can instruct you how to do it with good results.

 

[jedi]

Coupla questions:
Have you ever used a spray bomb ? First tell me what one is :L (that would be no)
Do you have a minimum 2-day window without the car ? Yeah, not my daily driver
Do you have a warm dry place to paint that will tolerate paint dust ? My drive way or garage (single car garage so I will have to take the wheel off)
Do you have access to a tire machine or an understanding shop ? No
I want you to be completely satisfied with the results,hence the questions.
I have been spray bombing car parts for 40 years and I can instruct you how to do it with good results.

Answers above, Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

 

[kenmack]

Hey Come on it's not that hard

CLEAN / STRIP
Remove wheel
Buy some (SOS pads) and some (superclean)purple bottle.
spray down the wheel and tire (follow directions on bottle).
Take the time withe sos and an old wash mitt to get all impurities off of rim (front and back).
Dry with old towel .
Buy name brand stripper water soluble (spray bomb works best)
Follow instructions.
PAINT
When rim is totally dry and warm,go to paint wholesaler or auto supply and buy the color you want to paint the rim and a bottle of primer and clearcoat.
Place both bottles in a bucket of (hand) hot water for ten minutes(trust me this works) shake well until ball inside moves freely.
Protect surroundings from overspray.
Don't spray too close (12" plus)or too much.If it runs just wipe off with a rag and some thinners.Try again after dry time.
Do a light coat of primer on the transition area (fins)on the back of the rim
Do a light coat of primer on the front of the rims(focus on painted area)
Use a small ceramic heater to speed drying time.
Do a second coat of primer front and back
Do a color (light)coat on the back
Do a color (light) coat on the front
Let it dry (1 hour)
Do a final coat turn wheel back and forth to ensure your covering all the corners and edges.
Let it dry at least an hour
Spray clearcoat easy does it don't spray so close or so much that it runs.
Dry with heater or overnight in warm area.
POLISH
Use turpentine to take paint off tire (works best)
Take laquer thinner on tea towel (damp with thinner not wet)and carefully remove paint from polished surfaces
When all paint is gone from polished surfaces take some MOTHERS aluminum polish on a face cloth and polish (this takes some serious elbow grease).
I think you will like the results.
About a week later you can polish out the clearcoat on the painted area.