HELP: Wheel lip Refinishing *please,your input*

[MrFairlady]

Ok..These wheels are being a P.I.T.A!!!!

I've been working on these (2 of 4) wheels for about a Full Week.
They are HERO/SSR Mesh Wheels and the lip has the most HARDCORE Clear coat that I can't get off!!!

I've got 1 of them where you can see a tad bit of the Finish underneath and it Polishes up NICELY...but Sanding Stripping,sanding Stripping hardly Budges this Clear.its taken FOREVER to get this little 3inch x 1 inch section.

What are my options?? Sandblasting?

They are 2 peice wheels (I guess) but I can't seem to get them seperated from each other,though..I've only Removed the Nuts and banged on them just a bit.The Allen head bolts won't even turn.
I would imagine they are Welded together or Whatever...but,I just want the Lips to be Shinny.
here is the Wheel and how it was when i got them:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v703/Mrfairlady/CIMG0530.jpg
They need some love!
I thought it would be as easy as using aircraft stripper on them and spraying that off,sand/polish - DONE. NO WAY.
I've used the Spray Aircraft and gel aircraft and it hardly does anything.
As well as Sanded w/ 220,400,600,800,1000 etc.
The lip is obvioulsy Cleared but they are So dingy you can't just polish them or even sand them.It Does nothing!
I'll snap some better pic's of what I have done but it would take a good 2 full weeks of sanding them per wheel.There has to be a better way.

HELP

[chuy]

Buff them out and then get them powder coated clear.

[MrFairlady]

Buff them out and then get them powder coated clear.

ok.......buff them out w/ what?how do you mean?

Ive done everything but DIp them in Acid to get this Top finish off SO i can buff them.

I def plan to Clear them after...but thats...AFTER.
I'm still @ step 1 so to speak.

[5t341tH]

aircraft stripper didnt work? it ate thru my wheel paint like nothing...
try using it again with a metal brush/bristles

[ka24et]

the lips don't have clear coat on them, that's why the strippers don't work. they are anodized.

[vutony]

did u let it sit for like 15-30 mins
did u do it in a shaded area
did it fizzz

*the can works better than container and pressure washing it helps too

[MrFairlady]

aircraft stripper didnt work? it ate thru my wheel paint like nothing...
try using it again with a metal brush/bristles
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v703/Mrfairlady/09-14-07_1848.jpg
Thats as good as I can get them ^...and I'm talking Sanding for EVER and polishing,sanding and polishing.The Lip right before the face of the wheel is EVEN harder to Move than the outter lip.In the pic I finally got a Tad of it to shine.

Used both Spray and Gel Aircraft.Metal Scraper,etc.
Let sit for 30mins.EVERYTHING.
The faces are Stripped and that was Easy of course.I was just gonna Spray them Silver again.....but damn.These lips are a Pain.I've only been working on 2 of the 4.Thank god.I may have to sell these things.

may have to paint them Black and chrome the lips by paint.
If i sandblast I may have to worry about pitting the faces.

UGHHHHHHHHHHHHH,....Not sure what to do.

[20 til 3]

alright man... it is a bitch to get off old clear coat on wheels, or whatever is on there, i did it to 4 wheels a while back(s10 wheels) it takes for ever... but i started out with 80 grit and worked my way up all the way to 2000 grit and then polished...

what your going to need to do is sand off all of the clear, thats going to take the longest... but use 80 grit until all clear is removed, once you have it all off, move up to 180... get ALL of the 80 grit scuffs out, from there... 320... once again, get ALL of the 180 scuffs out... and carry on(500/600/800/1000/1200/1500/2000) but make sure you take your time when you move up, shortcuts can be seen when the wheels are done, once you get to 2000 grit... grab some polish and go to town on the wheels... they will shine up like brand new

[lazierhobo]

if you want to powder coat clear, you going to have to sand blast, so i wouldnt spend any more time sanding if thats the path your going to follow.

[MrFairlady]

Well,..broke out the DA and hit the lips w/ some 180,.then 320,400,600,800,1000,1500 and its coming right off.
Had to use my guys at the dealership stuff.

So it looks like It will come off w/ some time.gonna try to work 1 wheel and night after work.

should be ok.

Thanks for the help guys

[upSLIDEdown]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner... :-\ The answer is Easy Off oven cleaner. It's the only thing that will get anodizing off (if they are indeed anodized). This is what we used to use to strip bike frames to polish them. Aircraft stripper (brush on is better than the spray) works great on powdercoating or paint, but won't touch anodizing. Easy Off Oven Cleaner is the answer.

[MrFairlady]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner... :- The answer is Easy Off oven cleaner. It's the only thing that will get anodizing off (if they are indeed anodized). This is what we used to use to strip bike frames to polish them. Aircraft stripper (brush on is better than the spray) works great on powdercoating or paint, but won't touch anodizing. Easy Off Oven Cleaner is the answer.

I was Very close to Trying that.Was told that would work.

Oh well...spent about a hr on 1 wheel tonight w/ the DA and of course thats all it took.Wasn't an option @ 1st because I don't have a compressor but Working @ a Dealership I have tons of Options there.
1200 was the highest Grit I bought.Should have got some 1500 as well...but My Co-workers are Bringing some Rouge (spell) and we're gonna see how I can shine up the wheel I finished tonight.Air Tools are a must for SHine I understand.

[upSLIDEdown]

I was Very close to Trying that.Was told that would work.

Oh well...spent about a hr on 1 wheel tonight w/ the DA and of course thats all it took.Wasn't an option @ 1st because I don't have a compressor but Working @ a Dealership I have tons of Options there.
1200 was the highest Grit I bought.Should have got some 1500 as well...but My Co-workers are Bringing some Rouge (spell) and we're gonna see how I can shine up the wheel I finished tonight.Air Tools are a must for SHine I understand.

Not necesarily. Many times elctric is better than air, because air runs out, and can be inconsistent. You should be sanding wet, and go up to 1500 then 2000. After that you'll need some rouge. You should've tried the Easy Off. If you haven't done the other 3, do it on those. It will be much easier. Just let it sit. It will turn black. Make sure you do it in a WELL ventilated place.