Vasiliyd

Ok so I've already started on this but it would be great if anyone can actually give me some input on this and tips, I'm polishing my rims and the clear is peeling on some spots, I'm using steel wool to slowly strip the top layer of clear, what progress you see in the pics took 2 hours. I don't want to use a DA because I don't want to risk ruining my wheels, my plan is to strip the top layer of clear, polish and then reclear. I think it will take me about 9 - 10 hours per wheel. I'm still in school and I have work so ill only be able to do 1-2 hours a day, on days I'm off ill prob put 6+ hours in. Has anyone actually done this before though? Any tips would be great, Thanks!

Also I will have this updated once one wheel is done and more progress is made on my sc thread
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...ml#post7818783






Well this is after I did 320,400,600,1000,1200,1500,2000,2500 grit paper, I still want to use some compound to get a better shine but for now they look good

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

thats gonna take u forever that way

start with 320 grit sandpaper, then go to 400, then you will have to use a buffer and polish to finish it up.

fried_rice

iTrader: (20)

Start with aircraft paint remover, you can get it at Lowes or Home depot. It will take the clear off in 15 minutes. I use 80-220-320 and it comes out to a mirror polish. I have a good polisher and polishing compound bars.

Use the DA, it will not mess the wheels up. Also a air powered angle grinder with sanding disk works great for the hard to reach areas.

That wheel would take me about an hour of sanding and polishing max, to get it to a mirror polish.

1JZPWRD

iTrader: (59)

There is no way I could work on a rim for 9 -10 hours. I will be checking this thread often.

Vasiliyd

Guys I gave in lol bought aircraft remover stuff and did the spokes but left the edges and what not to do it by hand
Still have the edges to finish up and some spots, once this wheel is done I will polish it to a mirror shine and then clear coat it, just one question, what grit sandpaper should I use to polish them

onlydrinkk

iTrader: (1)

good decision with the aircraft remover

thm8d

iTrader: (3)

For a mirror finish, you want to go super fine. The smoother the surface is, the better the shine. I normally finish off with 2000 wet sand to perfection

Vasiliyd

Thanks ill update once I start polishing, should I start with 1000 grit and move up to 2000?

thm8d

iTrader: (3)

Its best to start low and advance high. If the surface is already smooth, judging the picture it already is, I would advise using either 800 or 1000 grit, then 1500, then 2000 grit. Patience is key for perfection. Good luck

fried_rice

iTrader: (20)

The most you really would need to go is 600 grit if you have a bad polisher. I've never had to go higher than that, and usually stop at 320, but depending on your polisher you can go as high as you need. It will make polishing easier. You want to sand first then polish, the polish is much finer than sand paper so you will not need it once you start polishing. The key to polishing is heat so go slowly. I use a bench-top polisher for the face of the wheel and a drill for anywhere else I can't get in to.

They don't make the polisher I have anymore, but it's like this one.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5081_200485081

Here are some polishing ***** for a drill. I'm not sure if the polish is that great but it should work. I usually dissolve a bit of the polish in gasoline and dip the drill ball in it. Gasoline also cleans the polish residue off easily.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5193_200365193

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

if theres no damage I would suggest wetsanding with 400, then 800, then 1000 or 1200,,,,then 2000

If you have a polisher with rubbing compounds you can stop sanding after 800 and just finish off with the buffer.

Also clear coat does not stick well to polished wheels, so you might want to search online for what works best.

Vasiliyd

Thanks for the replys and tips! I will update once I start polishing

MXT4life

iTrader: (1)

Sand up to 2000, hit it with some mothers polish with the power ball attachment and you'll be golden haha

ZeRoSe7en

I'm sorry but for the amount of time and effort to do this I would of just worked a little overtime and had them professionally refurbished

GamblerZ

There is always an added degree of satisfaction and personal reward knowing that you have done something yourself. It's a labor of love.

As for remedying the clearcoat issue on the wheels, I probably would have stripped the clear, lightly scuffed the wheels for a deeper satin finish, and then re-cleared them. As mentioned earlier, once the wheels are polished, getting a clear to adhere to the surface is going to be a challenge. Plan on applying protectants on their regular to prevent them from spotting, pitting, or oxidizing.