stripping paint off wheels

[dwburman]

Okay, this is probably a dumb question. I'm thinking about stripping the paint off wheels since they don't match each other or the bike. If I want to stay with the bare metal look am I going to have to coat the metal with something to keep them from rusting or just keep them clean and dry? If I do have to coat them with something could I just use some kind of rub on wax or oil like is used  for taking care of gun barrels?

One wheel is all white, the other is metal on the outside with a purple center. The bike is blue and black.

I'm probably too lazy to do anything and I'd consider it for a winter project, but I have no garage. That's why I was thinking about just stripping the paint off, probably using chemicals.

[RoundBall]

wheels made form ALU!!!!

[Kerry]

Do a few GStwin searches using combinations of "polish" and "rims" or "wheels".

I did a search for "polishing rims" and got 3 hits, but I know there are more out there....

[dgyver]

They won't rust per say since they are aluminum but they will oxide. Eventually they will dull without any protection. An aircraft stripper found at most auto parts stores is the best for complete paint removal.

Personally, I would paint them silver. Easier to do than a complete strip & polish. Also, silver does not show brake dust very much.

Here is a link to a pic of a set of wheels that I have painted silver:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/dgyver/GS500/GSsilverwheels.jpg

[dwburman]

Thanks for the input.

Kerry: I did a search on the forum and did find a thread that had your [dgyver] pics and description of painting. I didn't think to look for polish though.

dgyver: those wheels do look good.

I wasn't planning on actually polishing the wheels or making them shiny. I'm thinking about going with a flat metal look. It'd match the yoshimura exhaust and the frame.

I've also read about using scotchbrite pads and alcohol to strip the paint. The chemical stripper would keep me from having to use sand paper and therfore having to sand it several times to a polish.

[Alias]

No Scotch brite pads! If you use the aircraft stripper it comes off easy on the lips, and with a little rubbing on the rest of the wheel. If you let it sit for 30 minutes or so it will peel off in big strips with zero effort. Make sure you protect your hands with gloves. This stuff burns bad.

[SPARKPLUG1977]

scotch brite + alcohol = works without using brain killing chemicals.

[jusAgs]

They won't rust per say since they are aluminum but they will oxide. Eventually they will dull without any protection. An aircraft stripper found at most auto parts stores is the best for complete paint removal.

Personally, I would paint them silver. Easier to do than a complete strip & polish. Also, silver does not show brake dust very much.

Here is a link to a pic of a set of wheels that I have painted silver:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/dgyver/GS500/GSsilverwheels.jpg

the silver looks awesome! did u strip the black off first or just paint over it? and did u have to disassemble the brakes from the wheels before u paint them? if so how did the brake disc come off?

[dgyver]

These wheels were originally white. I only lightly sanded them to give an even surface. Wanted to keep as much original paint as possible to act as a primer.

The brake rotors were removed prior to painting. Be careful when removing the bolts if they still have the factory locktite. They put a lot of it on and they are tight! I have one front wheel that I broke a bolt off in the wheel and then snapped a bolt extractor off in the bolt. Good thing GS wheels are fairly cheap. I have found that soaking the bolts with Liquid Wrench over night helps to prevent breaking the bolts.

I have painted wheels with the tires installed and with them off. Several issues with leaving them on. It is a little difficult to get the paint around the rim next to the tire. A good tape job on the tire works fine. Also, they may be slightly out of balance with the addition of paint. But then this can happen as well if the paint is stripped. The rear wheel on my bike now was painted with the tire installed and there is not any problems with being out of balance. Just had 3 tires mounted recently on wheels that I repainted. Only the rear required a little extra weight but nothing major.

[Kerry]

I have one front wheel that I broke a bolt off in the wheel and then snapped a bolt extractor off in the bolt. Good thing GS wheels are fairly cheap.

A bolt in the wheel  

[dgyver]

Yep, snapped a rotor bolt off in the hub. A 2 foot breaker bar does wonders. Not the first time this has happened though. Just the only time that I have not been able to remove one.