Hey guys, I've had my 99 civic ex sedan for many years, but I gave it to my brother for a few years while I drove a new leased Hyundai veloster turbo. I am now getting it back and wanted to restore it a bit.

A few years back I had bought some gsr fat fives and decided to paint them bronze/gold. That was back when I was still young and lacked much taste in cars.

I am now wondering how to remove all of the rattle can paint and how to get the original metal finish on them if possible. I had sanded them down when I bought them so I could remove some curb rash.

Is there a way to restore painted wheels that have been sanded/wet sanded?

 

Strip the paint off.

 

Then I would be left with scratched up and sanded wheels.....

 

You asked how to get the paint off, that's how you get the paint off. From there, I figured it would be self explanatory, but I'll itemize it for you anyway.

Wetsand with progressively softer paper, from 1000 to 2500. From there, hit it with some polishing compound. Polishing, not rubbing. Have fun, and wear a mask.

 

Would I need to clear coat the wheels after I get them all fixed up?

 

Need to? No. Should you? Probably yes, unless you enjoy the idea of having to re-polish them every month to keep them looking fresh.

 

Looks good as is. Why strip em? Your lack in taste was wasting the money on that crap Chinese car.

 

...First off, the 96-00 chassis is Japanese assembled in America. China is not involved. Second off, Kia/Hyundai are Korean, not Chinese, nor are they assembled in China.