stripping clear coated wheels

[Rick Garrett]

I know I have seen this posted before, but I cant find it in the archives... What are people using to strip the clear off the aluminum wheels? Is anyone not recoating them with clear? What year did they start clearcoating them?

[Jerry Clark]

Re: stripping clear coated wheels

Hi Rick:

This clearcoat is really clear powdercoat and it first appeared, ( I believe ) on the 78 Pace car aluminums and on all 79 and up aluminum wheels.

I haven't read anything on its removal but they will succumb to pitting and oxidation without it. You can have them polished and they look great but are a maintenance headache.

jer

[Chuck G.]

Re: stripping clear coated wheels

I had an 88 coupe several years ago. Jerry is right, the wheels are coated with what I believe is a clear powdercoating. I used paint stripper...lots and lots of paint stripper on a hot day. I finally got it off, then simply polished the wheels and left them natural...didn't re-clearcoat them. It was one of the more miserable jobs I've performed. Chuck

[Bill D.]

Re: stripping clear coated wheels

I have found Busch Clear Coat Remover to work very well. It should be available at local speed shops. Eckler's also has it. Not a nice job , but sometimes necessary! Have fun, WB