Soaking/cleaning wheel barrels?

Danny_Ocean · 02-12-2011, 07:26 AM

I have my 3-pc. wheels apart and need to clean/paint the inner barrels. The original paint (machine gray) is in good shape, but years of brake dust, tire weight adhesive and assorted crud are clinging on. I don't want to sand them down, just give 'em a bath.

I have a large plastic container that will hold the pieces...just wondering what to put in it? Diluted phosporic acid bath?

Mitch Leland · Mitch Leland's Garage

Danny,

It sounds like you don't want to strip them down to bare metal... Why not use a 409 or similar product, then to remove any remaining residue with a lacquer thinner or GooGone that will cut the wheel weight adhesive.

What about having them soda blasted and starting all over with new primer and paint...

KTL · 02-12-2011, 09:51 AM

3M general purpose adhesive remover cleans up the inside of wheel barrels very well. I use it all the time to remove brake dust buildup, wheel weight adhesive, asphalt & rubber debris. Nasty stuff, so wear gloves. Pour it on and let soak for awhile and the crud comes off quite easy with a towel or mild abrasive pad. Heavy crud buildup requires multiple applications.

I prep the wheels with a pre-wash of Simple Green solution and rinse with soapy water like Dawn dishwashing detergent

wayner · 02-12-2011, 11:38 AM

Magic erasers are magic on brake dust!

I was amazed how little effort it took compared to chemicals and abrasives

Danny_Ocean · 02-12-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch Leland

Danny,

It sounds like you don't want to strip them down to bare metal... Why not use a 409 or similar product, then to remove any remaining residue with a lacquer thinner or GooGone that will cut the wheel weight adhesive.

What about having them soda blasted and starting all over with new primer and paint...

Yes, I do not want to strip them. The paint on the inner barrels is still good. I've blasted/painted the centers. I just need to "spruce up the inner barrels (they're not really seen anyway).

I'll experiment with 409 and laquer thinner (mineral spirits)?

I do have one of those "magic eraser" things, but that would take years. The barrels are big (18" x 12").

Danny_Ocean · 02-12-2011, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTL

3M general purpose adhesive remover cleans up the inside of wheel barrels very well.

Is it in an aerosol can or a bottle?

Jim Dorociak · 02-12-2011, 03:55 PM

What I do when I restore 3 piece wheels when specifically working on the inner barrels, is I scrub with mineral spirits which helps remove old tar and road grim, then I wash with simple green, scrotch brite pad and 320 grit to feather sand the areas that need additional primer. I sand again and prime the wheel and then move on to paint. Jim

Danny_Ocean · 02-12-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Dorociak

What I do when I restore 3 piece wheels when specifically working on the inner barrels, is I scrub with mineral spirits which helps remove old tar and road grim, then I wash with simple green, scrotch brite pad and 320 grit to feather sand the areas that need additional primer. I sand again and prime the wheel and then move on to paint. Jim

Sounds like a plan. Laquer thinner or mineral spirits (or are they the same thing)?

Jim Dorociak · 02-12-2011, 04:34 PM

not the same mineral spirits is more a petroleum based, if I have adhesive to remove from the stick on weights, I have acetone here because I use that to clean the spray gun, your wife's nail polish remover will work for a small application. Existing powder coating is a great base to paint on top of. Jim