Ive been working on getting my evo enkei rims completely stripped down to the aluminum without damaging the polished aluminum underneath. The first coat was no problem (black spray paint) and the second coat (factory silverish grey color) is really being a PITA.. Ive gotten it all off on the the front of the rim but the inner lip and inner side part of the spokes is not coming off. What can I use to take off that paint? Ive been using aluminum safe paint stripper, house hose, and a somewhat high pressure nozzle.
how to remove rim paint?
Randy954
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Ive been working on getting my evo enkei rims completely stripped down to the aluminum without damaging the polished aluminum underneath. The first coat was no problem (black spray paint) and the second coat (factory silverish grey color) is really being a PITA.. Ive gotten it all off on the the front of the rim but the inner lip and inner side part of the spokes is not coming off. What can I use to take off that paint? Ive been using aluminum safe paint stripper, house hose, and a somewhat high pressure nozzle.
Well ive come to the conclusion that the only polished aluminum is on the outter lip and front of the rim. Ive tried scrubbing the shit outta the sides and theres no change. I guess my only option is to repaint them. Thats too bad because the aluminum looked ****ing sexy. So what do I need to do now to repaint them spray primer then spray coats of paint?
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Only the edges of most rims are polished, the rest is left as a cast aluminium finish which is usually very rough due to the sand casting process or whatever they use. To answer your questions:
1) Best paint stripper is aircraft paint stripper. Do NOT buy the spray can, only get the big jug and apply with a brush. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes and clean part with a thin wire brush followed by a pressure washer. This should get everything off. However, make sure not to let it get on your tires as it can at times make them bubble.
2) For painting, I like wallmart 99 cent cans of primer. I've honestly tried every single brand of primer from duplicolor to rustoleum and still, the wallmart ones are my favorite. One can is usually enough for 4 16 inch wheels with open spokes (a ton of small spokes or a larger wheel will take more cans), you want to do do 3 light to medium coats. Paint is the same way, paint with about 3 light coats, let it sit a few hours to cure, and then 2-3 coats of clear. Rustoleum clear you can buy at lowe's is the best in my opinion.
1) Best paint stripper is aircraft paint stripper. Do NOT buy the spray can, only get the big jug and apply with a brush. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes and clean part with a thin wire brush followed by a pressure washer. This should get everything off. However, make sure not to let it get on your tires as it can at times make them bubble.
2) For painting, I like wallmart 99 cent cans of primer. I've honestly tried every single brand of primer from duplicolor to rustoleum and still, the wallmart ones are my favorite. One can is usually enough for 4 16 inch wheels with open spokes (a ton of small spokes or a larger wheel will take more cans), you want to do do 3 light to medium coats. Paint is the same way, paint with about 3 light coats, let it sit a few hours to cure, and then 2-3 coats of clear. Rustoleum clear you can buy at lowe's is the best in my opinion.
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1,138 Posts
Actually, to let you know, you CAN polish the entire wheel but it'll take alot of effort. It's very popular with the honda owners, here's a few i've seen:
![Image]()
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![Image]()
A great thread to read up on if you're curious about polishing your wheels is:
http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1259115
Good luck!
A great thread to read up on if you're curious about polishing your wheels is:
http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=1259115
Good luck!
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What wheels are those?![Image]()
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If my eyes aren't deceiving me I think I can see a 'g' on the spokes so must be a gramlights model. Not sure which one though.
ok thanks for the responses. Im not going to try to polish them since thats gonna take too long and I dont have all the tools. Im using jasco paint remover and that's working fine (lol bought that after about 5 cans of spray paint remover). Now do I need to sand the polished aluminum for the primer to stick or no? I want this paint to last as long as possible. So with that said why would the powder coating last longer? Does it come in a can aswell?
My basic understanding is that the powder coating bonds to the metal and changes it's actual composition. If I'm off on this, someone will let us both know.
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5,173 Posts
Most likely one of the sexiest rims I have ever seen.![Image]()
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Powder coating does not come in a can. Yikes.
Go here : http://www.jnzfinishing.com
Look and learn, they do some great work, there are many other places that provide this as well.
Go here : http://www.jnzfinishing.com
Look and learn, they do some great work, there are many other places that provide this as well.
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I used plane paint remover from pepboys works wonders.
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+374902356902375092857 I want those. Somebody has to know what they are. I checked out some Gramlights, no luck.
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Looks like one of the Gram Lite 57Pro wheels to me.
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That's about what it is universally. Sounds like a good deal to me. Just remember that your paint on your wheels won't last half as long as powdercoating. If it was me, i would save my cash for a little while. Powdercoating always looks dead sexy too, it would be worth it.
$50 per rim is a great deal. Think of powder coating as a baked on crust. Resistant to water, oils, salts, brake dust. Pretty much everything that will make paint come off.. You can also have no fear of using a scrub brush on a powder coat finish as you wont be able to scrub it off. Paint will not last mush past the first washing. Powder coating will also protect the aluminum because we all know once the paint starts to chip, you wont be there to put more paint on which will lead to the aluminum oxidizing. I would save some penny's and get the powder coat. Should also help with resale value if you ever decide to ditch them. Im sure 99% of the people on here will agree, powder is the way to go. Painting rims with a rattle can is just to close to someone painting there dash with spray paint.... just...no.:chair:
Im sure 99% of the people on here will agree, powder is the way to go. Painting rims with a rattle can is just to close to someone painting there dash with spray paint.... just...no.:chair:
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1,069 Posts
They dont look the same to me. The GramLights dont have the removable center.
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