Stripping and Polishing My Fuchs today - Watch the progress

[NewfieMZ3]

I have been dreaming about putting a set of 7's and 9's on my 84 carrera for some time now. Well I finally acquired a set..........traded for a set of black leather sport seats from and 89 944 S2.......not a bad deal I thought. Well I live in St. John's, Newfoundland Canada, the most easterly point in Canada, so a long ways from the wheel professionals in California. The wheels were in decent condition but had a little curb rash. So I had two choices, send them to the "real" wheel guys that are mentioned on this board, have them stripped and re-anodized, or polish them and sand out the "injuries". After consulting a couple of wheel shops and my regular body shop guy, no one was confident enough to get them done in the proper manner. So I bought a case of beer and some supplies and ventured on my own. If anyone is going to ruin the wheels it may as well be me.

I started with some aircraft stripper yesterday, absolutely little effect. I think the temps here are still too cold for it to be effective. I am in the garage today with the heater on Tilt, only about 10 Degrees celsius. So on to the dry method. I bought some medium and coarse stripping pads for use on my 3" polishing air tool. That is where I am right now. So follow the progress. NOTE: if you want really clean anodized wheels, apply aircraft stripper in cold temps, after 20 minutes they looked absolutely beautiful, but still had curb rash.........

I'll post the progress as I go........here's where I started:

[Joe Bob]

Good luck.....dirty nasty job by hand......

[NewfieMZ3]

I roughed them up good with the medium grit pad, and re-applied them aircraft stripper in the hope of softening the finish a bit..........Them give a good rub with some steel wool.............back in 20 mins

[NewfieMZ3]

Thanks Joe Bob, you just need enough beer to wash down all the dust.

[LJ851]

I'm pretty sure aircraft stipper (or any paint stripper) wont remove the anodizing you are trying to remove. Good luck with your project.

[doublestuff]

I think some people have posted that oven cleaner will remove the anodizing quite easily, but dont take my word for it, I haven't tried it.

[Joe Bob]

Worked on my 15x6s, but not on my 16s.....they are tough. I'll be sending those out.

[NewfieMZ3]

OK after a bit of work with the medium pads, some success, went to grocery store and got some Oven Cleaner. Waiting for it to set in now. Used a 180 grit paper as well on the wheel below..............getting there, patience and elbow grease.......and cold beverages.

Gratuitous pic of "new to me M3".............not a p car but still a classic piece of machinery

[NewfieMZ3]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Worked on my 15x6s, but not on my 16s.....they are tough. I'll be sending those out.

Yup I gladly send them out too, but I would like to have them on the car soon. Even the local wheel guys did not want to mess with these, and shipping them to the US and back would cost too much...........google Newfoundland, I am the furthest point possible from CA in North America...............plus I would have to pay duty on top of shipping to get them back cross the border.

[cdrik915]

You should use caustic soude to remove anodization , it's a bit dangerous and it's necessary to protect the eyes and hands , but the result is perfect.

Some bubbles indicate the action of the soude.











Hope that helps.

[Tigerrat]

I would try the oven cleaner and even then you will likely have to use an abrasive. Tape up the shaft, chuck etc on your air tool so if the pad grabs you won't ding up the wheel. I did this once but don't know if I'd do it again. Good luck. Ken

[NewfieMZ3]

Gone to the oven cleaner right now, waiting for it to bake.............meanwhile, question, should I re-install the lower valance after putting on my sport exhaust, I like the look without it........but have to fill the bumper holes........maybe some plugs

[NewfieMZ3]

OK. first round of oven cleaner done.........magic, with a little steel wool. I thought I was going a step better with the aircraft stripper..........but not so, I may even consider cleaning my oven now.

[steely]

I think you may need a stronger type of oven cleaner - things have gotten a little diluted/safer these days, and they aren't as caustic as the stuff mom used to buy. I tried easy-off on something, I forget, and it didn't do squat. IIRC, there is a key ingredient, probably the stuff that is Cedrick's caustic soda. I think I found it discussed here somewhere.

good luck, keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing! My wheels could use some attention too.

[Tigerrat]

The good news is that once you get them polished they will stay looking nice with surprisingly little maintenance. A little Mothers every now and then have kept mine in great shape. Staying off the curbs helps too. Ken

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by NewfieMZ3

Gone to the oven cleaner right now, waiting for it to bake.............meanwhile, question, should I re-install the lower valance after putting on my sport exhaust, I like the look without it........but have to fill the bumper holes........maybe some plugs.

Yeah, beer makes Newfoundland run, don't it?

The back end of your car without the valence looks kinda cool. I might try it, and if it doesn't appeal to you, you can easily put it back on.

The large hole you have in the bumper to the left of your license plate is for a tow hook, I believe. Normally on North American cars it's covered by the big bumper pad. On my RoW car, it is visible and is used for, well, a tow hook. Anyway, the factory covers this with a black plastic plug. Take a look inside, of just try to thread in your tow eye, and if it fits you can order the factory specific part to fill it - Part number: OEM-99970318140 and a buck-fifty from our host. I had to replace mine when it fell out or otherwise went away...

Pelican Parts - Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche & BMW

You can see it here on my bumper.

[NewfieMZ3]

Yeah the Euro bumpers are much cleaner looking. I hope I won't need that tow hook anyhow.......

Gonna try some rubber plugs painted to match.

Spent some time in Alberta in the oil patch.

[Trackrash]

I used Easy-off oven cleaner on mine. It worked. Two or three applications and leave it on over night.

[Joe Bob]

Yeah, but were yours 15s or 16s?

[Trackrash]

16"s, why?
Just the front lips were done on this car.