Letter 9024

Removing paint from motorcycle rims 

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I have a set of painted motorcyle rims that I want to polish but, it seems that the paint on the rims is very difficult to get off. I have tried airplane stripper and other such items but to no avail, I also tried to sand them which works but is a long and tedeous process. Is there some sort of chemical that I can use to get this paint off.

Miles Brown
- Newark, NJ

I ran into the same problem with my rims and tried the same strippers, and sanding would take a life time for all of them. I tried sand blasting with sand and it left a pitting that also needed sanding out. I finally ended up sandblasting with glassbeed that left the surface smooth before I polished it out.

Nathan Mortenson
- Pacifica, CA, USA

I have just stripped the outer rims on my Kawaski and I used a 3M stripping tool that attaches to a electric drill. It removed the paint easy and did not mark the alloy.

Bernard Harrison
- New Zealand

Try sand blasting it. It will take off all layers of the paint and also take off rust too.

Preston Tucker
- Marietta, GA, USA

I've done my GXSR750 and several of my friends' bikes. It's a pain but I can almost make look chrome. have to see to believe it. I'll wash a wheel off and send you a pic. So... get a large can of Aircraft Stripper [link is to product info at Amazon]; it's some nasty stuff so make sure to get a chemical resistant gloves b/c the stuff will burn your skin. Follow the directions and you'll have a raw rim, Only do the lip of the rim b/c the spokes have a rough finish and it looks bad. Once it's COMPLETLY rid of powder coat. Use very clean,soft cloths, Mother's Aluminum Polish [link is to product info at Amazon], and a-lot of rubbing.

David Jones
- Frisco, TX, USA

HI, I WAS WONDERING WHAT IS THE EASIEST AND FASTEST WAY TO REMOVE THE PAINT OFF OF MY MOTORCYCLE RIMS. I READ PAINT STRIPPER, AND AIRPLANE STRIPPER, AND THAT THERE ARE 3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF STIPPERS. LIQUID, PASTE AND GEL. SO WHICH SHOULD I TRY.

ZACH CHAUDHRY
STUDENT - TUCSON, AZ

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