Waxing an 86's wheels

[tdr1919]

what do you guys use on the wheels to get them to shine? I was going to wax them but wanted to hear for you all first.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[Vettefan87]

If you clear coat is in good shape and not chipped off, you will be suprised in the results. I waxed mine twice the other day with Mothers Carnuba cleaners wax (the one that comes in the red bottle). And I think they shine up really good. If you are like me, I get out our little 6 inch buffer to take the wax off.


Justin

 

[nyernga]

what do you guys use on the wheels to get them to shine? I was going to wax them but wanted to hear for you all first.
Thanks,
Tom

If the clearcoat is pitted or coming off then the process is a bit more involved and will take a full day,if not a weekend to clean them right. I did mine two years ago or so and it was a bear but well worth the effort.

Len

 

[RonJ]

The wheels on my 85 were pretty ratty looking with chipped clearcoat and what not. I took the clearcoat off using a good paint stripper and then buffed them up using Mothers. You wouldn't believe the difference. The buffing left the machining marks but boy, do they ever shine now!!

I didn't wax them, I just left them as bare aluminum. Tarnishing has not been a problem. They still look good after a summer of driving!!

Ron ...

 

[nyernga]

The wheels on my 85 were pretty ratty looking with chipped clearcoat and what not. I took the clearcoat off using a good paint stripper and then buffed them up using Mothers. You wouldn't believe the difference. The buffing left the machining marks but boy, do they ever shine now!!

I didn't wax them, I just left them as bare aluminum. Tarnishing has not been a problem. They still look good after a summer of driving!!

Ron ...

Yep, that's the process I used and I haven't waxed or repolished them since. They look as good now as when I first did them.

 

[RV Guy]

The clear coat on my whells is coming off and they look kinda ratty. What kind of paint stripper did you use? Do you have to dismount the tires? There is a kit that is offered by some of the specialty distributors and they say in their ads that you have to dismount the tires? This sounds like a much less expensive way to go. What did you use to buff with?

Thanks

 

[RonJ]

The clear coat on my whells is coming off and they look kinda ratty. What kind of paint stripper did you use? Do you have to dismount the tires? There is a kit that is offered by some of the specialty distributors and they say in their ads that you have to dismount the tires? This sounds like a much less expensive way to go. What did you use to buff with?

Thanks

I used Poly super strippa by Lepage. It's called a semi-gel paint and varnish remover. Any gel stripper that has methylene chloride in it will do the job.

I put it on with a 1" brush, kind of worked it into a small area then took it off with a rag and maybe some xx-fine steel wool for the stubborn stuff. By working up on the upper half the wheel, there was no problem with the stripper getting on the tire. I never even took the assembly off the car!! I tried to keep the gel off the black parts, but I don't think what did get on hurt the black at all.

I was surprised at how good the aluminum looked under the old clearcoat. I went at it with some Mother's Aluminum Polish and elbow grease until the paste wasn't turning black from any oxide.

I didn't use any wax or sealer after I was done, will probably clean them again before next season. They do look 100% better then they used too!!

Hope this helps .... Ron ....

 

[larry bud]

I used Poly super strippa by Lepage. It's called a semi-gel paint and varnish remover. Any gel stripper that has methylene chloride in it will do the job.

I put it on with a 1" brush, kind of worked it into a small area then took it off with a rag and maybe some xx-fine steel wool for the stubborn stuff. By working up on the upper half the wheel, there was no problem with the stripper getting on the tire. I never even took the assembly off the car!! I tried to keep the gel off the black parts, but I don't think what did get on hurt the black at all.
Hope this helps .... Ron ....

Gotta be careful with stripper, because if it goes into the dark grey areas of the wheels, it WILL take the CC & the grey paint off.

 

[Renes86]

Hey Ron, where did you get the clearcoat stripper? Automotive paint supply store or maybe on line? My 86 has a two wheels that look milky and faded. I would like to try to strip them myself and bring them back to life.

 

[RonJ]

Would you believe at my local hardware store? I guess this stripper is used mostly by people stripping furniture and that kind of stuff.

My bet is most household type paint shops would keep the it.

Ron ...

 

[I_R_DA_ONE]

Go to Lowes or Home depot and get some MEK...... it will take off the clear without hurting the alum in the wheels and it will not hurt the gray paint unless you leave it on for a long time... I hope this helps

mike

 

[Renes86]

Thanks Ron and I R DA ONE. I will get some very soon and try it.

Jim

 

[RV Guy]

Be very careful with MEK. Use it in a very well ventilated area and don't get it on your skin. It is great stuff for doing projects like this but it also can be very harmful to your health.

 

[Renes86]

I used some stuff called BIX and it worked great. There where no fumes and didn't burn the skin. I had only one bad wheel, but now that one looks so good I'll have to do the other 3.

Jim

 

[Bob88vette]

Two years ago, I stripped my 88 wheels and refinished them. I used a stripper called "aircraft stripper", got it at autozone. Wet sanded and polished the wheels and did not replace the clear coat. Just use a good aluminum polish to keep them looking nice.