Clear-Coating Wheels
02-26-2003 | 11:25 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Clear-Coating Wheels
Hey guys, I think I want to strip the original clear-coat off of my wheels pretty soon. Car is an '89 IROC-Z 350 TPI. I think I found a good clear-coat remover (Caswell Clear coat romover), but after I remove the clear-coat, do I then polish the wheels then apply a new coat of clear-coat? Or do I put a new coat of clear-coat on, then polish? I would think I would polish first, so I could "seal" in the polish with the fresh coat of clear. If this is how you guys think I should do let me know. And who makes a good clear-coat? Where can I get it and how much does it cost?
About a month ago, I made the mistake of stripping one of the wheels with acetone, then I just sprayed a clear spray paint over it. It seemed to work pretty good but let me know if this isn't the way to go with it (clear spray paint.?) The mistake was that it took me hours to get the clear coat off with acetone (scrubbing, and scrubbing.) Anybody have experience with Caswell Clear Coat remover? Thanks all! -89IRO
About a month ago, I made the mistake of stripping one of the wheels with acetone, then I just sprayed a clear spray paint over it. It seemed to work pretty good but let me know if this isn't the way to go with it (clear spray paint.?) The mistake was that it took me hours to get the clear coat off with acetone (scrubbing, and scrubbing.) Anybody have experience with Caswell Clear Coat remover? Thanks all! -89IRO
02-27-2003 | 10:39 AM
#4
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,304
Likes: 0
From: West Des Moines, IA
Car: 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 GT
Engine: 2.3 DISI Turbo
Transmission: 6 speed MT
I've used Caswell clear coat remover, just suggested it to someone yesterday... was it you? I don't remember... 
Anyway, the Caswell stuff pretty much bubbles up the old clear coat and just wipes away. You may want to get a stiff bristle brass wire brush to get into the tight areas to make sure all of it's off. Then you can polish away.
On the polished finish, you would need a self etching clear primer of some kind to make it stick to the now smooth metal finish (paint requires some amount of surface roughing to adhere properly), then your clear gloss coat over that. Otherwise, clear powder coat is a better choice because it is much tougher than regular paint.
If they were mine, I wouldn't bother with either since I always keep my good wheels waxed anyway which would keep the polished look longer.
Anyway, the Caswell stuff pretty much bubbles up the old clear coat and just wipes away. You may want to get a stiff bristle brass wire brush to get into the tight areas to make sure all of it's off. Then you can polish away.
On the polished finish, you would need a self etching clear primer of some kind to make it stick to the now smooth metal finish (paint requires some amount of surface roughing to adhere properly), then your clear gloss coat over that. Otherwise, clear powder coat is a better choice because it is much tougher than regular paint.
If they were mine, I wouldn't bother with either since I always keep my good wheels waxed anyway which would keep the polished look longer.
04-13-2003 | 06:38 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
On the grey part on my IROC wheels, will the stripper strip the grey part off? If that's the case, then I will have to re-paint them too. All I want is the clear coat removed. I got some paint remover today and it said it would strip just about anything off of wood and metal. Thanks. -89IRO
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
drptop70ss
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Wanted
3
10-04-2015 10:44 PM
