Looking for suggestions on stripping & polishing wheels

[dbaird]

I've looked all around this site, but can't seem to find anything on stripping and polishing the OEM wheels. I just started my first street fighter project, and had thought I would strip and polish the wheels rather than repainting them ( something has to happen, they look like shit ). Anyone care to give up some thoughts, suggestions, products or process ideas ??? I'd appreciate any input. Thx. dbaird

[fire-medic]

I saw some already done on eBay recently, dunno if they were for your yr. bike. Don't most people just do powdercoating? My '87 has really-rough castings and I'd hate to think of the labor time to make them smooth. Still, if you've got a Baldor and it's your time, it will keep you out of the telly.

[rotortech]

To remove the paint quickly down to the bare metal use Aircraft Stripper in an aerosol can. You can get it at Walmart and Ace Hardware. This stuff is bad and will strip the paint off very quickly. It will also burn your skin and blind you. Use proper protection and ventilation. Don't make me say I told you so. The rims will polish out quickly where they are machined. The cast surfaces will need to be smoothed out with something aggressive like a flapper wheel sander. Once the casting marks are all gone, then switch to finer grits and eventually to polish. Aluminum works pretty quickly so it is doable by hand.

[sweekster]

I did this:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=3581 <-click there

[dbaird]

thanks to all for the replies.... Very cool pics by sweekster also. I had high hopes of having this job done by now, but it was just too damn cold in the garage to work in the evening. Now I have to admit I'm also rethinking that "whole" wheel idea, but not sure what the white genny wheels would look like with just the lips polished. For now the rest of the bike is staying original colors. When I pull the trigger I'll take pics and share.