Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner?
 

Ok guys I have a pair of SSR Formula Mesh that I want to refinish. The face has dirt stuck in between spokes and it's almost impossible to clean (haven't really tried to scrub that hard though). I was wondering if I could just remove the face and soak it in paint thinner for a few hours and then wash everything off?

I've used paint stripper/aircraft remover before on wheels, and it didn't turn out pretty. Maybe I didn't have enough but the clear coat/paint would come off blotchy and I couldn't exactly get EVERYTHING off. I dunno maybe I'm just a noob.

Any insight is appreciated. I would like to know the best way to refinish these. I plan on removing everything (paint, clear) and then spraying it black.

On my other Rota rims I just sanded the spokes down and sprayed it, but that would take ALOT of elbow grease since there are 1,000 spokes on these damn rims... It'd take forever to finish.... Any ideas?


These aren't mine... mine are a lot dirtier. Just for reference. TIA
http://img182.exs.cx/img182/1317/ssr856yz.jpg

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (SRd240sx)
 

Or how bout bead/sandblast?

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (SRd240sx)
 

i would sand blast them just because its easier and you get better results.....i used aircraft remover on my stock s13 wheels.....i mean it worked but took forever.....i have access to a sand blaster so....it just makes life a lot easier......so u drive a 240 huh...got any pics......

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (JDMrps13)
 

Hey thanks for the reply.. yeah got a 240, don't have any good pics at the moment, but planning to take some next week https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...es/emsmile.gif

What places usually have a sand blaster? Typically how much is labor per wheel?

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (SRd240sx)
 

reason why i say paint thinner is because it's really cheap and i can just soak the face in it..

just don't know if paint thinner will really take anything off

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (SRd240sx)
 

If the wheels have a clear coat over them I wouldn't even bother with paint thinner. Also I would not recommend sand blasting it either. Aluminum is soft and the sand can actually pit the aluminum, and in some cases making it weaker. I would suggest having them chemically dipped. It strips EVERYTHING, clear coat, dirt/tar, and paint. That is your best option and doesn't cost much to do. Good luck https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...es/emsmile.gif

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (clean rice)
 

Example of my MR5's before and after being chemically dipped....

https://img429.imageshack.us/img429/...sc001682lz.jpg
https://img429.imageshack.us/img429/...sc001691km.jpg

And now they look like this....
https://img429.imageshack.us/img429/206/dsc007378fb.jpg
check sig https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...s/emsmilep.gif

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (clean rice)
 

looks awesome, can you provide more info on chemical dipping?

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (SRd240sx)
 

Damn, those MR5's came out righteous https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (SRd240sx)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SRd240sx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">looks awesome, can you provide more info on chemical dipping?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Umm, I'm not really sure exactly what the chemicals are that are used. I know it doesn't weaken the aluminum or anything. Any local bead blasting/sand blasting place should offer it, and it only takes a few minutes to do. I got mine back the same day.

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (clean rice)
 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by clean rice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Umm, I'm not really sure exactly what the chemicals are that are used. I know it doesn't weaken the aluminum or anything. Any local bead blasting/sand blasting place should offer it, and it only takes a few minutes to do. I got mine back the same day.</TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks for the info. how much did it cost?

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (SRd240sx)
 

It was like $20 a face or somethin like that.

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (clean rice)
 

wow not bad, i'll look into it, thanks alot clean rice

Re: Refinishing wheels: Can I use paint thinner? (SRd240sx)
 

No problem, good luck man https://honda-tech.com/forums/images...es/emsmile.gif https://honda-tech.com/forums/images/smilies/emthup.gif