Powder coat removal

[Jorma]

I'm wanting to re-powder coat my wheels and contacted 2 different shops in my area that offer the service. The first one I actually visited and specializes in refurbishing wheels and had a big operation with many wheels in progress. Their finished wheels looked brand new.....however when I asked how they remove the old PC, they said they do it with a torch, and sure enough we went into another room and there was a guy with an Ox/Acy. torch burning the heck out of the coating on a wheel. This seems drastic to me and makes me wonder about the effect on the heat treat of my aluminum OZ wheels.
The second place I talked to said they have a chemical process that removes the old PC followed by a sandblast. The first place also followed the bar-b-que with sandblasting.
Any thoughts on this will be appreciated.
Mike M.

[Westroc]

I'm wanting to re-powder coat my wheels and contacted 2 different shops in my area that offer the service. The first one I actually visited and specializes in refurbishing wheels and had a big operation with many wheels in progress. Their finished wheels looked brand new.....however when I asked how they remove the old PC, they said they do it with a torch, and sure enough we went into another room and there was a guy with an Ox/Acy. torch burning the heck out of the coating on a wheel. This seems drastic to me and makes me wonder about the effect on the heat treat of my aluminum OZ wheels.
The second place I talked to said they have a chemical process that removes the old PC followed by a sandblast. The first place also followed the bar-b-que with sandblasting.
Any thoughts on this will be appreciated.
Mike M.

I did my own sets. I already had the cabinet. This will test your patience. Even moreso if they are mag. It can be done. You need to make a custom mix of medium sand and glass. DON'T stay on stubborn spots. Go on and revisit later. Be prepared for a lot of dust. Better the dust than the dollars right. Hell no I won't do yours.

[Rick Kirchner]

i found brake cleaner easily removed the polyester stuff. that was some overspray. i followed that up with gel paint remover. this was on a block.

[ghickman]

I'm wanting to re-powder coat my wheels and contacted 2 different shops in my area that offer the service. The first one I actually visited and specializes in refurbishing wheels and had a big operation with many wheels in progress. Their finished wheels looked brand new.....however when I asked how they remove the old PC, they said they do it with a torch, and sure enough we went into another room and there was a guy with an Ox/Acy. torch burning the heck out of the coating on a wheel. This seems drastic to me and makes me wonder about the effect on the heat treat of my aluminum OZ wheels.
The second place I talked to said they have a chemical process that removes the old PC followed by a sandblast. The first place also followed the bar-b-que with sandblasting.
Any thoughts on this will be appreciated.
Mike M.

Do not use the powder coat shop that uses the "Burn Off" method. This kills any heat treat temper the aluminum wheel may have.

Sand blasting and or chemical stripping is fine.

[Westroc]

Also once in a while you can get lucky if there's a decent sized chip that's been there for a while. Get the air gun beside the edge of the chip and see if it blows off some powder. Yes you need air from a real compressor not some air gun toy compressor. Also big point please after all that work please go to a REAL paint and body supplier and buy real paint and clear.