13 replies to this topic

[whistler]

Any suggestions as to what product is best to chemically strip some alloy wheels back to bare metal?

 

 

[cal844]

Paint stripper or acid dipping as any abrasive will damage the wheels

[whistler]

Paint stripper or acid dipping as any abrasive will damage the wheels

Any particular brand of paint stripper. I used Nitromors a couple of years ago to strip a clubman roof. Couldn't paint it afterwards as paint reacted with whatever was in the metal. Had to have it wrapped finally so not a fan of Nitromors.

[Northernpower]

I've found Screwfix own brand works surprisingly well for an own brand product. Just make sure you thoroughly wash them off with a hosepipe to get rid of any residue.

[gazza82]

Paint stripper or acid dipping as any abrasive will damage the wheels

Any particular brand of paint stripper. I used Nitromors a couple of years ago to strip a clubman roof. Couldn't paint it afterwards as paint reacted with whatever was in the metal. Had to have it wrapped finally so not a fan of Nitromors.

Nitromors couldn't strip the skim off a rice pudding now!!

[Dusky]

The trick is to first scuff the paint with an abrasive pad, then liberally coat in whatever stripper you want. Then cover the wheels with plastic foil so the stripper can't evaporate. In colder Temps like these I also put a heater directly on them. After an hour the paint just wipes off

[bluedragon]

It may be difficult to obtain a paint stripping product that's effective on factory coated wheels. The ban on methylene chloride (dichloromethane, DCM) for consumer use neutered these products. As far as I know, there is no substitute with near the same effectiveness.

 

Probably your best bet is to see if a professional wheel refinisher will strip them for you.

 

Another option is to locate a professional media blasting outfit who has the right type of blast media to strip the wheel coatings.

 

If the wheels are going to be painted or powder coated you have a lot of options for blasting - just make sure none of them use ferric-based blast media. If you have polished surface wheels, then the options are much more limited - some say soda or glass beads will work. Vapor blasting would be the safest choice but that takes specialty equipment not every blasting outfit has (most probably don't.)

 

Should you be determined to do this at home, then I don't know of any good options (i.e. ones that won't take a ton of effort beyond what it used to take 15 years ago.) I'd try to get some contacts in the industrial world, and see if you can still pick up a DCM-based paint stripper from them.

 

 

Dave

[tommy boy]

I agree, Nitromoors is crap. I bought an industrial strength stripper from ebay. Not cheap, but works ok .

[gazza82]

StarChem has been recommended to me .. but it's nasty stuff on human skin, etc.

[whistler]

StarChem has been recommended to me .. but it's nasty stuff on human skin, etc.

Ordered some of this last night. I'll give it a try. The wheels have been rattle can sprayed by the looks of it. Nitromors has shifted some of it in patches but I'll use the Starchem gloop when it arrives. Might have to finish it off with a soda blast.

[rww]

 

StarChem has been recommended to me .. but it's nasty stuff on human skin, etc.

Ordered some of this last night. I'll give it a try. The wheels have been rattle can sprayed by the looks of it. Nitromors has shifted some of it in patches but I'll use the Starchem gloop when it arrives. Might have to finish it off with a soda blast.

 

StarChem is excellent. Just take some precautions , gloves and glasses, when using it. 

[riktanius]

I'm in this same boat, so invested

[whistler]

My Starchem has arrived so I'll have a go in a week or so when I have more time.

[MrBounce]

I had a word with the local blasters. They did me £15 a wheel, cash in hand. Given that they were Mistral Minilites it would have taken me days to strip them otherwise. Best £75 I've spent on farming a job out.