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Removal of clear coat from aluminum mag wheels

2003

I have a 88 K-5 Silverado and the clear coat on the aluminum mags turned yellow and it looks like crap. I have tried rubbing compound, Blue Magic, with cloth wheels, the rubbing compound worked on some parts but not on all the finish looks partly good but mostly yellow. I also tried gas, steel wool, naval jelly, brake cleaner, brake fluid, alcohol, toothpaste, nail polish remover, and injector cleaner. I want to clean up the mags but I don't want to scratch the surface. I can't seem to get a consistent finish. I would appreciate any advice, or anything that I haven't tried.

Thanks in advance,

Tim Samuels
hobbyist - Scranton, Pennsylvania

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September 12, 2009

Hi, Tim. It's nasty stuff (based on methylene chloride) that should only be used with great ventilation and while wearing goggles ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] and rubber gloves ⇦ on eBay or Amazon [affil link] , but Aircraft Stripper will remove nearly any paint or clearcoat. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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