| Author | Message | ||
     Clay |
I'm considering converting my stock black wheels to a polished finish and was wondering what's the best method to remove the paint/powder coat that is on them now. Suggestions? | ||
| Vr1203 |
I stripped a set of Monster wheels(just the rim part,left the cast centers ,painted that part black). Then I polished the rim area. I used airplane paint stripper. The aluminum finish was very rough underneath.It was like a phonograghic finish. These wheels were built up with zinc chromate primer,to be smooth.I had to use a sandpaper flapper wheel on a die grinder, one slip and you've made a real nasty gouge. Hope the Buell wheels are diff,good luck. | ||
| Grndskpr |
Clay are you sure you want to polish the rims, several in my group have done it and now are going back to powder, its a lot of work to keep them clean and looking good, JMHO, i have how ever used a sand/bead blaster, take everthing off, but the wheel needs to have everything removed(bearings and all) before you can do this,and you need to clean them afterward very well, soap and air, work for my zx, should work for the buell wheel good luck | ||
| Jrh |
I stripped the black powdercoating off a set of year 2000 Buell wheels with liquid paste paint stripper.(don't recall the brand though)Not counting r+r of tires+valve stems,it took about a full day.1 application easily took the paint off the machined portion of the wheels(edges+an inch or so on top of rim)If i was gonna do it again i might tape off the rest of the wheel and do only do this machined area.The paint stripper took alot of Scotchbrite Pad help to get the black off the "as cast"larger area of each wheel. If you want to polish them completly though i think you would skip the liquid stipper and just sand the black right off in a long process of different sandpaper grits and polishing compound.I think there might be some info on this at thex1files.com | ||
| Dueller |
Thinking of going the other way...anybody paint wheels? Don't want to go to the trouble of completelt stripping wheels. Will automotive paint hold up? Want to convert dark grey to gloss black...base coat/clear coat or enamel recommended? Thanks jim | ||
| Vr1203 |
Jim, Been there done that.  | ||
| Ray_Maines |
Clay, I suggest that you don't do it unless you've got a show bike project going here. My next suggestion is to send $750.00 and your old wheels to the nice folks at ASB Dueller, If your wheels are already powder coated you can use Dupont Imron to paint your wheels any color you wish. | ||
| Dueller |
Ray...thanks for the input. They are powder coated. Should I only use Imron...the stuff is very durable but had problems with it cracking on a race car (admittedly with very thin/flexing panels). Will base coat/clear coat or enamel hold up? jim | ||
| Ray_Maines |
I'm not the one to ask. Imron is a 2 part epoxy paint that's very durable but there are other brands. It's the "2 part epoxy" that's important, not the "Dupont" part. Maybe Vr1203 can fill you in. ps Be creative, paint the wheels bright red or color match (or contrast) the body work on your bike. Paint them red white and blue. | ||
| Vr1203 |
Ray ,right on the two part ,part.Actually it was Dupont Centari acrylic enamel with a high gloss additive. Of course they don't sell the high gloss additive any more.(Why do the things that work real good always get killed off?). | ||
| Dueller |
Uh....veiled reference to S1W, VR1203? Ray....thought about it but leaning towards a totally blacked out bike in this era of chrome heal guards. Thanks guys |
