Sanding Alloy First gen rims

I had no idea you can just sand these rims. Just dod one spot and I know I need to follow through with a few mire levels of sand paper but this inly took about 5 mins by hand. Any tips welcome. Most of it is in the clear coat. What clear to
use any tips welcome. I can't really take em off the rims as I don't really have the equipment.

 

I used rustoleum aircraft remover to strip the clear coat then ran mothers polish on a power cone (foam head) in a drill to shine them up. Followed up with a good coat of wax. Nothing since and they’ve held up fine. Didn’t pull the tires but did get them off the truck first.

 

Thx great info. How long did you leave the stripper on for and do
you then just wash off with a hose? will it hurt the tires? Also what clear would you use at the end? Also what sand paper grit steps did you use?

 

That aircraft paint remover is the best
However
Make sure it’s the bad stuff
Auto part stores sell the safe stuff

I had to buy caustic good stuff from Amazon for stripping 1970 MC frame

 

As far as tire damage
IMO
Yes if contacts rubber and not wiped off quickly…..could dmg sidewall

if you use, take wheel off(so it doesn’t drip down(gravity) onto the tire
Also wet the tire with something just to prevent mistakes

a with any project like this…..prep is 80% of the job

 

Almost three years and still holding up. Just a few chips from road pebbles. The important part is getting it stripped down to metal, I didn't completely but looks like it's working out.

 

What did you guys use for Sandpaper levels and clear coat?
coat? How many coats etc?

 

why do they call it aircraft remover in USA but when I type
it in here in Canada I get Stripper only.

 

Hmmmm
I have been thinking about sanding
Typically, the outside facing portion of the spokes are only polished. Then the inr portion of spokes are painted. Then entire rim is clear coated
Here’s a pix of mine to explain better

 

In my case, the inner portion of the spoke not only painted but has a texture

that being said I don’t think sanding would be a good idea (too much of a risk)

if you strip clr coat off
I would then use an aluminum polish or a polishing wheel

I use Wizard’s polish(highly recommended from MC restorers)
Pink infused cotton fibers…..works incredible

 

Now your rim shown will need some sanding on areas where aluminum has oxidized

all in all
Your 4 rims look like a big project along with $125 or so in materials

another option is a Rim Repair vendor
$125-$175 per rim
And
You can change color if you desire
All Insurance Companies use
All Bodyshops use
1-2 day turnaround for all corners

 

i don't think we have rim reaper in Vancouver. Also takiny my truck out somewhere is a pain.

 

120% a call to a close to you Bodyshop will give you a vendor’s contact

the last time I used rim rpr vendor, I took the rims directly to them(my veh was on Jack stands for 2 days thou)

 

Good idea but I think I want to try doimg it myself. Good project.. Can't get worse.

 

I must have used the safe stuff. Didn’t hurt the rubber. Just wet tires before I started and rinsed well. Used a brush and slobbed the stuff on, brushed a bit and rinsed. Didn’t clear coat afterwards. When they start to get dull I’ll just polish and wax again. But we also don’t see road salts here much.

 

It’s funny because if you buy the parts store stuff, there’s a disclaimer that literally says “do not use on aircraft fuselages”

 

Thatt & rocknbil
Did you guys sand?

 

It's all in the post.

It's entirely possible the wheels here have a different finish and will only take clear, but it worked for the ones I have.

 

A firm
Sorry didn’t read
On it!