Remove clear coat on aluminum

A. Hi, Stephen. thread 1550 suggests that it can be removed with MEK / methyl ethyl ketone. However, there are different clearcoat formulations and technologies, so that's not a guarantee that MEK / methyl ethyl ketone would work for you, nor that it is practical. The most likely stripper is Aircraft Stripper, but this is methylene chloride, and quite noxious, toxic stuff. Goggles, gloves, and working outside for ventilation would be the absolute minimum safety requirements. Good luck.

Regards,

A. I strongly doubt that your wheels are clear coated on top of chrome plating, Eric, because chrome plating is a final finish that does not need or use clear coating.

I mention this because stripping methods which might safely remove a clear coat from metal, like chrome plating, might also remove what you think is chrome but may be some sort of shiny paint.

Do you have good reason to believe that these wheels are actually nickel-chrome plated other than their shine?

A. I just ran across this post while on the web. I have been in the aftermarket wheel industry for many years. Sounds like the wheels are polished aluminum, not chrome, and they could be clear coated or not. Most likely they are, and were cleaned with an acid based cleaner that damaged the clear coating. You might be able to use Aircraft Stripper, and remove the coating, then polish the wheels out, and enjoy, but w/out the clear coating, you will be polishing once a month. If you want to post a pic of the type of wheel, or give the name of it, I could tell you more on it.

Thanks, I hope I can help.

A. Unfortunately, the engineers from auto companies are quite tight lipped, Rick, and I don't recall seeing a single entry where an auto engineer clarified what the finish on his/her company's parts was. Ali and I have already said that we doubt that it's chrome plating if there is a topcoat on it, but try his suggestion of aircraft stripper in an inconspicuous area if there is one. Good luck.

A. I'm in the process of polishing my frame and I couldn't find any chemical to take the clear off. I had to sand it off with 80 grit, then 120, then 180, 220, 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, then finally 2000 grit. It's a lot of work but man does it look good.

A. Clear coat is fairly easy to remove and can be done safely if you use the right products. Contact your local paint job shop or talk to the folks at Eastwood Company. They can fix you up with the right product. Most clear coat removers are very similar to the thick type of paint remover gel ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] that you brush on--wait awhile--then wash off with a hose.

Good luck.

A. Hi, Tim. It's nasty stuff (based on methylene chloride) that should only be used with great ventilation and while wearing goggles ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and rubber gloves ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , but "Aircraft Remover (Aircraft Stripper)" .
will remove nearly any paint or clearcoat. Good luck.

Regards,

A. I'd try the Aircraft Stripper, Renee. It's noxious stuff though. Use only with excellent ventilation, goggles, and rubber gloves ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . But aircraft stripper will not hurt aluminum.

A. Is your strip process a secret? How can anyone know how to help if you fail to provide current information.
Normal paint strippers--organics--should not pit aluminum unless the parts are left in the solution too long.
A number of chlorinated solvents will cause pits IF you get water into the strip material.
The pits may be in the aluminum and were very clean or you may have opened up pores with an aggressive polish

A. As a chemist, I would question the wisdom of stripping a clear coat with nitric. You normally select an organic solvent to strip an organic product.
If your wheel is a high strength aluminum alloy that contains a high copper content such as 2024 or 7075, then I would fully expect to see pits as the nitric will remove some of the copper, even though it is an alloy. It will be particularly bad if the part has been welded or improperly heat treated.