Stripping.

This is where I'd start, there are special strippers that won't hurt the allow wheels.

You could always just media blast them yourself since you said you have a compressor. Example from Eastwood's; sand will be too abrasive but there are other medias you can use.

 

From boobs to caustic chemicals in one sentence.

 

Yes. I'm on this path. Local Toyota dealer has take-offs, but they want OEM prices.

There are only a couple of sandblasters in this area. They have 0 (zero) interest in a job this small.

So, DIY chemical strip is the remaining option. Or I could spend days sanding.......nope.

Using a better living thru chemicals is the choice. Picked up a quart of Kleen Strip Aircraft stripper for $22. I'll be attempting 1 wheel to see how things progress
Its also easier to wiggle small spends out of our budget.......LOML doesn't get too uptight this way.


A side reality. I like the styling of the 17" OEM Sports. Don't like the color or the paint flaking off and corrosion. The polished aluminum and silver don't have a smooth appearance on the White truck. Color choice will be in the gunmetal gray area.......black will be too "heavy" IMHO.

 

Would love to see some before and after pics .

 

Ok. I'll take pics of the wheels on the truck, the replacements and the steps in the process.

Be patient, it will take a while. I don't expect to be mounting the refurb replacements until April/May. Need to wait for warm weather to paint. The unheated garage is the paint booth. The basement workshop is the strip and prep area.

 

The restore work began on the wheels today.

Tried the Aircraft stripper.......barely touched the paint. What type of paint did Toyota use on the wheels????

I'll try again tomorrow after I get a few wire wheels for a drill and grinder. Perhaps a combination of mechanical and chemical will remove the existing paint.


More as this progresses.........

 

Hit the paint with a brown or gray scotch bright pad then use the paint stripper. It should help it get started to key the paint a bit.

 

Today had a bit of progress. 3 hours with a 4 1/2" AC grinder and a 1/2" AC drill using a series of wire wheels resulted in 1 wheel about 90% stripped. Access into the lug holes is not possible with machine and the corners.

I checked with the neighbor, who is a bit of a gearhead, about a sand blaster willing to do small jobs. I have a contact. I'll make contact tomorrow to see about job interest and cost.

If no interest or cost too high.......then will use the sledgehammer method and spend about 10-12 hours stripping.

 

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjbyOmj6OrvAhVG1sAKHRuvCfkYABAPGgJpbQ&sig=AOD64_01AxklfObsxJ9tGThMxNeXBy0aRw&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwiMyN6j6OrvAhU8Ap0JHZLdClgQwg96BAgBEDk&adurl=

This is what you need to get into the lug holes.

 

For an alternative chemical stripping, you could try gasket remover. I stopped using it because it's some extremely nasty stuff. You don't want to breath the fumes, or get it on your skin, and definetly not in your eyes. Protective gloves is a must. You might need to go to some industrial hardware store, I'm not sure if they would or should sell it at the average auto parts store.

 

Unfortunately, I need to interrupt this task to complete another home oriented task that has been waiting for doors.

I contacted the media blaster my neighbor suggested.......they have 0 (zero), nada interest in the job. Looks like the armstrong sledge hammer method to strip the wheels....... May be possible to use a chem stripper in the tight spots, otherwise sandpaper wrapped around sticks.

Oh well.....life rumbles on.........................

 

Another alternative. Something I read here, theres a company that does wheel repairs. What I remember is they do it all.