Stripping alloy wheel paint

[Dunny]

I have a motorcycle wheel that is alloy with painted spokes (a reverse comstar if anyone is interested). What is the best way to strip the paint without damaging any of the alloy? I dont want to fully immerse the wheel as it has a good set of bearings.

Thanks

D

 

[brightspark]

mask off the parts u don't want marking with insulation tape and sandblast it

 

[Dunny]

What is best sand (notwithstanding silicosis warning:-), AO, glass bead, crushed glass?

Cheers

D

 

[brightspark]

a certain sand u can buy from wickes kiln dried is excellent on alloy. u can even use it on block paving -when -- u have finished with it .beadblasting is none abrasive round glass-beads and cleans and peins the surface for a smooth unpainted finish

 

[rtbcomp]

Be prepared for a battle if it's a modern coating, especially if you use sand. Glass grit will be better, but the finished surface may be a bit rough and there is the risk of glass embedding in the ally.

I gave up blasting ally wheels unless I could soak them in stripper first.

 

[cliff366]

a certain sand u can buy from wickes kiln dried is excellent on alloy. u can even use it on block paving -when -- u have finished with it .beadblasting is none abrasive round glass-beads and cleans and peins the surface for a smooth unpainted finish

Didn't think you should use any sand bar blasting due to the dust it creates causes silicosis as kiln dried is just dried for paving that I'm sure it's no diff to play pit/silver sand

 

[rtbcomp]

The danger is due to the fine dust created when the sand breaks up during blasting. You could try wet blasting, some pressure washers have an adaptor to do this.

 

[Shedendman]

Forget wet sand blasting,you'll be forever trying to clean it up,try sweeping up wet sand