Question...I have been reading posts on how to tackle these babies but i'm wondering about the slots. Has anybody ever cleaned the black paint off the walls of these slots, (mine are chipped) or maybe I shouldn't consider stripping.

 

Also, one wheel has a 2 to 3 inch long curb rash right next to the tire. It's not very deep but too deep i'm afraid to file and polish. I've been thinking (headache time) if some liquid aluminum would "heal" the rash. Has anyone ever successfully made this type of repair?

 

One of these days i'll get a good profile up and going with a pic. of the blue beast !!

 

Jayare

                            Good Luck,

                                 Reid  '72 T-top

- Removed tires.

- used a file on the outer edge of the rim to cure the "curb rash"

- stripped them

- sanded with 330 grit paper

- sanded with 600 grit paper

- sanded with 1500 grit

- polishing compound

- Mother's aluminum polish

 

Chesh...what method did you use to strip the old clearcoat.

 

Before I tackle this job I think it would be worth my time to rig up a method of mounting the rims on a turntable of sorts. If the wheel is slowly spinning I would think the polishing job would go alot faster.

 

jayare

I have used Airplane Stripper to strip paint off of older - 1960's - American Racing Aluminum Rims in the past and alot of metal parts in my resto days.  You NEED to try it.  It will save you alot of time and will get you down to the original metal without sanding into the metal. 

 

It could take several applications, but it will get you down eventually.  Auto Zone or most auto parts houses has it, don't get the spray can version.  Get the quart or gallon size version, reusable china bristle paint brush cheap one, 1- 2" size, from Home Depot, good chemical resistant gloves, a metal pan to put it in and if you keep old brushes, toothbrushes, etc. they work very well also. 

 

You should apply a mixture of baking soda and water when done to neutralize the acid from the surface you are stripping.  The baking soda not be thick, but white in color.  Truthfully, rinsing the part real good does the trick also.  Follow the directions as far as ventilation is concerned also, this sh*t can hurt you.  Also, if you rinse your hands or keep the stuff off your hands you don't need the gloves. 

 

Let me tell you, I stripped the clear coat someone else had professionally apllied to the rims and all the old paint off the rims and they look great now.  I had to stip the clear because it lost it's adhesion - was peeling and was yellowing.  Saved me 1,300 clams from not having to buy new ones.

 

However, if you have rash and you would want to paint the slots back I assume and are not certain of painting the slots, I would have to agree with VNCRUISER.  I never painted my rims back on the 60's unit, I left them polished aluminum.

 

good luck, gurtz 

 

The walls of my slots are painted black. When I strip the old yellowed clearcoat I will probably end up stripping this black too. Has anyone ever repainted their slot walls or left them raw aluminum or polished the walls? Hmmmmm,  I think I need to attend a few car shows.

 

Regards....Jayare

 

I would think this would be just what us wheel strippers are looking for.

 

Comments?

 

Regards....Jayare

Thanks for the kind words regarding "Double T."  She has been some work. 

 

First off, you should probably keep the black. 

 

I think you initially stated that some of your rims have chips in the black accent.  If they are not large chips you could get by with touching them up.  One thing the stripper will do is if you apply it in light coats is it will strip down one layer at a time meaning you could effectively get the clear coat off without removing the black, dry the unit then apply a new clear coat over the black, just a tought.

 

I am not sure of the bead blasting, but soda blasting would be fine.  Blasting the unit with baking soda.

 

good luck gurtz

Thanks for all the info people.....

 

gurtz...I don't mind sanding, buffing or polishing my slotted wheels but stripping with that airplane stuffff sounds brutal.  At 64 yrs of age i'm like water....I take the path of least resistance........soda ash?...Hmmmm.