Removing Paint on Wheels

[Guggenheim99]

I acquired 4 Alcoa wheels off a FX4 today. But the previous owner painted them black. I am not a fan of it and would like to strip the paint off for the factory aluminum finish instead. Question is does anyone know a product to remove them that won't harm the finish underneath? Would hate to go to town on it with aircraft paint stripper just to find out it ruined the finish underneath. Thanks

 

[RobbieD]

While I have used aircraft paint stripper on deer print wheels, to remove the clear coat, with no problems to the aluminum wheel finish, I can't tell you with certainty that yours would turn out the same.

Just a thought though; aircraft are made of aluminum, so it would make sense that aircraft paint stripper was formulated to safely work with aluminum.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Those might not be painted at all.

There were some Alcoas that came from the factory with a darker finish.

 

[Uncle Gump]

This link has the wheels I'm speaking of. Scrool down to 2006 model year. Says they had a dark gray finish. I'm pretty sure that's what you have.

Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road and Level II - By The Years - The Ranger Station

The Ford Ranger FX4 was introduced in 2002. Here is a year-by-year description of the FX4's offered from 2002 to 2009.

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Guggenheim99]

Those might not be painted at all.

There were some Alcoas that came from the factory with a darker finish.

No this one was painted. I spoke to the seller when I picked them up and he said he painted them black. And the orange peel is horrendous on them lol. That is pretty cool that they came with a different finish though

 

[SenorNoob]

Stripper time? LOL.

 

[Uncle Gump]

No this one was painted. I spoke to the seller when I picked them up and he said he painted them black. And the orange peel is horrendous on them lol. That is pretty cool that they came with a different finish though

I guess that picture is a bit deceiving... they kinda look blue. I kinda figured it was the clear coat making them look that way.

I have a pretty nice set of 5 Alcoas... I hate to say I'm really thinking about painting them black.

I think if you use stripper... you will likely strip the clear off too. Good chance the clear was mucked up prior to being painted black anyway.

 

[superj]

use paint stripper and then reclear them

 

[Blmpkn]

Take the easy route and have them bead blasted.

Leaves a surface perfect for paint.. no elbow grease needed.. 100 bucks last set I had done.

 

[SenorNoob]

I like this.^

 

[sgtsandman]

I don't think there is a way to remove the paint and keep the finish underneath. Either way, you are going to need to do some polishing and apply clear coat unless you don't mind keeping up on the polish.

 

[Fastech370ca]

From the picture it almost looks like an anodized finish. I think what the others have said is that you would be safe with aircraft stripper.