# Refinishing my wheels

**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450
**Category:** SON240sx Automotive
**Created:** [March 22, 2005, 2:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450 "2005-03-22T14:40:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Axlerod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Axlerod](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Axlerod)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2005, 2:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/1 "2005-03-22T14:40:19Z")

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Spring is almost here, and I’m running out of time… here are some pics of how my wheel refinishing is going.

Still needs a bit more polishing, but they are turning out pretty good.

And ideas on how to sand the lip that wont take 3 years?

Before and after:

![http://neo240sx.ca/Axlerod/wheels/IMG_2362%20(Medium).JPG](http://neo240sx.ca/Axlerod/wheels/IMG_2362%20(Medium).JPG)  
 ![http://neo240sx.ca/Axlerod/wheels/IMG_2366%20(Medium).JPG](http://neo240sx.ca/Axlerod/wheels/IMG_2366%20(Medium).JPG)

![http://neo240sx.ca/Axlerod/wheels/IMG_2725%20(Medium).JPG](http://neo240sx.ca/Axlerod/wheels/IMG_2725%20(Medium).JPG)  
 ![http://neo240sx.ca/Axlerod/wheels/IMG_2729%20(Medium).JPG](http://neo240sx.ca/Axlerod/wheels/IMG_2729%20(Medium).JPG)  
 ![http://neo240sx.ca/Axlerod/wheels/IMG_2730%20(Medium).JPG](http://neo240sx.ca/Axlerod/wheels/IMG_2730%20(Medium).JPG)  
 ![http://neo240sx.ca/Axlerod/wheels/IMG_2733%20(Medium).JPG](http://neo240sx.ca/Axlerod/wheels/IMG_2733%20(Medium).JPG)

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### Author: ![sirdriftalot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@sirdriftalot](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/sirdriftalot)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2005, 2:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/2 "2005-03-22T14:45:26Z")

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looks good paul, it may be a pain to do and a lot of work but man they turned out good. big thumbs up. as for the lips try putting a super fine grit on a dremal tool. or just do er by hand…thats what i did when i did mine  
Brent

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### Author: ![Axlerod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Axlerod](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Axlerod)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2005, 2:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/3 "2005-03-22T14:48:55Z")

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> [@sirdriftalot](#):
>
> looks good paul, it may be a pain to do and a lot of work but man they turned out good. big thumbs up. as for the lips try putting a super fine grit on a dremal tool. or just do er by hand…thats what i did when i did mine  
> Brent

Hey Brent, where did you get the fine grit for your dremel? Best I could find was 180 or 240 grit… which leaves pretty big gouges in the metal.

I also have a sanding sponge, but it doesnt get in all the spaces well enough. There’s a thick layer of clearcoat on the lip too.

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### Author: ![Gonad](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gonad/32/5481_2.png) [@Gonad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gonad)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/4 "2005-03-22T15:50:56Z")

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Ricerrific. :bigok:

> [@Axlerod](#):
>
> And ideas on how to sand the lip that wont take 3 years?

1. Jack up rear end
2. Mount the rim (minus the tire) on the back wheels
3. Put car in gear and drive as if normal
4. Set to cruise at a certain speed
5. Grab sand paper and hold it against rim
6. ???
7. Profit :dunno:

I know it’s a crazy idea but worth a shot if you like living dangerously. :noes:

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### Author: ![Solarian](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/solarian/32/5514_2.png) [@Solarian](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Solarian)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2005, 4:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/5 "2005-03-22T16:25:09Z")

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I’d rate that pretty high on my living dangerously scale. I wouldn’t attempt that EVER… but I AM a pussy after all 😃

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### Author: ![koz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/koz/32/5478_2.png) [@koz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/koz)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2005, 4:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/6 "2005-03-22T16:27:35Z")

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Did you spray any aircraft stripper on them? That should’ve ate through all the clearcoat.

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### Author: ![Cal](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cal/32/5505_2.png) [@Cal](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Cal)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/7 "2005-03-22T16:48:24Z")

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> [@koz](#):
>
> Did you spray any aircraft stripper on them? That should’ve ate through all the clearcoat.

they prefer to be called flight attendants…

haha gonad that’s a great idea

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### Author: ![Solarian](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/solarian/32/5514_2.png) [@Solarian](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Solarian)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2005, 5:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/8 "2005-03-22T17:26:02Z")

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> [@got\_boost\_S13](#):
>
> [quote=koz]Did you spray any aircraft stripper on them? That should’ve ate through all the clearcoat.

they prefer to be called flight attendants…[/quote]  
You have 1 (one) drink of your choice from me if we ever meet 😃

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### Author: ![Axlerod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Axlerod](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Axlerod)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/9 "2005-03-22T18:02:14Z")

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> [@koz](#):
>
> Did you spray any aircraft stripper on them? That should’ve ate through all the clearcoat.

Nah I’m too cheap, and don’t even know where to get it  
it would be very hady for the lip though, then I’d only need to polish it.

Where can I get it?

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### Author: ![Gonad](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gonad/32/5481_2.png) [@Gonad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gonad)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2005, 6:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/10 "2005-03-22T18:28:32Z")

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> [@Axlerod](#):
>
> [quote=koz]Did you spray any aircraft stripper on them? That should’ve ate through all the clearcoat.

Nah I’m too cheap, and don’t even know where to get it  
it would be very hady for the lip though, then I’d only need to polish it.

Where can I get it?[/quote]

I’m guessing Home Hardware would carry it. Either that or try Napa or  
something. Just do it my way bish. Stop being such a pussy.

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### Author: ![Iceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/46a35a/32.png) [@Iceman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Iceman)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2005, 6:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/11 "2005-03-22T18:34:33Z")

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![http://www.bondo-online.com/bnd_cds/product_images/3713.jpg](http://www.bondo-online.com/bnd_cds/product_images/3713.jpg)

from [http://www.bondo-online.com/catalog\_item.asp?itemNbr=320](http://www.bondo-online.com/catalog_item.asp?itemNbr=320)

I’ve used this stuff lots…works great. I think we got it at NAPA

brush on, wait, hose off

wear gloves, goggles and clothes you don’t care about… even though its water soluable, it stings when you get it on you

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### Author: ![koz](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/koz/32/5478_2.png) [@koz](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/koz)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2005, 7:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/12 "2005-03-22T19:52:12Z")

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> [@Axlerod](#):
>
> [quote=koz]Did you spray any aircraft stripper on them? That should’ve ate through all the clearcoat.

Nah I’m too cheap, and don’t even know where to get it  
it would be very hady for the lip though, then I’d only need to polish it.

Where can I get it?[/quote]  
CT in the spray paint aisle… it says something like ‘Industrial Strength Stripper’ and comes in white aerosol cans. Costs about $8/can.

Spray on, let sit, hose off. :biggthumpup:

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### Author: ![pearlS13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e68b1a/32.png) [@pearlS13](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/pearlS13)
#### Post date: [March 24, 2005, 10:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/13 "2005-03-24T10:44:34Z")

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How did you get the finish so shiny? Did you use a polish or did you wet sand them?

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### Author: ![SDragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@SDragon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SDragon)
#### Post date: [March 24, 2005, 11:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/14 "2005-03-24T11:11:50Z")

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Looks good. Nice and shiney, any plans on fixing the curb rash??

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### Author: ![Axlerod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Axlerod](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Axlerod)
#### Post date: [March 24, 2005, 1:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/15 "2005-03-24T13:49:21Z")

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> [@pearlS13](#):
>
> How did you get the finish so shiny? Did you use a polish or did you wet sand them?

Both… dry sanding is not really an option.

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### Author: ![Axlerod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Axlerod](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Axlerod)
#### Post date: [March 24, 2005, 1:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/16 "2005-03-24T13:50:24Z")

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> [@SDragon](#):
>
> Looks good. Nice and shiney, any plans on fixing the curb rash??

Yeah I took a file to it, the rough stuff is gone…

I got some MURIATIC ACID… it’s supposed to take off clearcoat, so I may be able to polish the lip if it works.

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### Author: ![Iceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/46a35a/32.png) [@Iceman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Iceman)
#### Post date: [March 24, 2005, 4:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/17 "2005-03-24T16:27:11Z")

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> MURIATIC ACID

:shock:

be careful with that… I nearly put myself out when I accidentally breathed in fumes from it contacting plastic… nasty stuff

and I think it will etch the aluminum pretty good, too… I’d personally stick with paint stripper

wheels look good, btw 😉

good luck

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### Author: ![Axlerod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Axlerod](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Axlerod)
#### Post date: [March 24, 2005, 4:50pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/18 "2005-03-24T16:50:07Z")

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> [@Iceman](#):
>
> > MURIATIC ACID
> 
> :shock:
> 
> be careful with that… I nearly put myself out when I accidentally breathed in fumes from it contacting plastic… nasty stuff
> 
> and I think it will etch the aluminum pretty good, too… I’d personally stick with paint stripper
> 
> wheels look good, btw 😉
> 
> good luck

They guy at shitty tire told me it’d take the clearcoat right off. Turns out it doesn’t so shit. I held my breath.

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### Author: ![EviltoM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/97f17d/32.png) [@EviltoM](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/EviltoM)
#### Post date: [March 24, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/refinishing-my-wheels/84450/19 "2005-03-24T20:38:07Z")

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Ever see that commercial on Speed or I think it was SPIKE TV, the thing you put on a drill and polish up metals and stuff, I think its called FLISK or FLIPS.
