Ron

Has anyone had their wheels either sodablasted, beadblasted or sandblasted prior to refinishing them? Which process is best?

Can they be chemically stripped? If so is that better?

I am going to paint a set myself but do not have the equipment to strip the paint and the like off the wheels.

Jeff 993TT

Be careful with the chemical stripping if you have hollow spokes. I'd had a set of hollow spokes destroyed in a similar process.

A930Rocket

Sand blasting them will remove the old paint or clearcoat, but pit the metal too much. Don't ask me how I know. Trying to sand it out will take forever.

There might be another media that's better, like walnut, plastic, etc..

A chemical paint stripper will work to some degree, but is difficult to work with as it get in every nook and cranny and then is hard to remove. Also, I've been told it will get into the pores and with heat from driving, possibly ooze out of the pores and ruin your new paint job.

I would look in the phone book for under media blasting or ask around and see who has done wheels before. Ask Bob Woodman too. I'm sure he can get you in the right direction.

Ron

a930rocket,

So far I've not been able to find anyone in my area to beadblast or sodablast, I'll keep checking.

I'll ask Bob about that too, he lives down the street from me.

thanks, ron

Carl Nall

The method utilized should depend on the type of wheel you're refinishing, i.e., whether it's forged aluminum, cast alloy, etc.; Porsche or aftermarket.

For polishing Porsche forged light alloy wheels I would chemical strip the wheels. Attached is an example of Fuchs wheels that were stripped of paint and anodizing and polished out.



Good luck.

Carl Nall

The method utilized should depend on the type of wheel you're refinishing, i.e., whether it's forged aluminum, cast alloy, etc.; Porsche or aftermarket.

For polishing Porsche forged light alloy wheels I would chemical strip the wheels. Attached is an example of Fuchs wheels that were stripped of paint and anodizing and polished out.



Good luck.

GoodFinder

Carl,

Those look great. I just picked up an '87 this past week down in San Marcos. Where did you have the wheels refinished?

GoodFinder

Carl Nall

Thanks. I did the wheels myself.