WOW! Thanks for all the responses. As promised, here's stuff you
haven't read about painting alloy wheels. Sorry if anyone has written
to me recently and I haven't read your stuff...
I also realized I shouldn't have shipped off my "summary" so
quickly yesterday. Here's a sampling of what people suggested.
GETTING OLD PAINT OFF
(1) Most everyone suggested bead blasting. Beads ought to be
available at any machine shop/supply place. Someone also noted
that beads are quite a bit more expensive than sand (unless your
sandblasting set up "recyles" the medium).
(2) "Spray & Strip" -- a chemical stripper. "A friend just used
some on his Aluminium March tub, and was happy. It's even
supposed to work on "factory" fibreglass. I've seen it demo'd --
looks much easier than other strippers."
(3) No one responded to my question about using sugar instead of
sand. Guess no one's heard of sugar-blasting before.
PAINTING WHEELS
(1) Check out the local body shop. They've got everything and
it shouldn't be THAT expensive if the wheels are already cleaned
up. NOTE: Actually, I've checked with three reputable/reasonable
places now. Not one of them said they'd do it for less than $75
a wheel (and that's assuming the wheel's already been bead
blasted clean)! Whew. All of them also pretty much said "Epoxy
primer is a MUST if you want the paint to stick right."
Gee, now I realize why all of you are such experts at painting!
The body shops are just too pricey!
(2) "Air brush will shoot any and all automotive paints."
I may just do that.
You've all read the other suggestions. I'll let all of
you know what I end up doing :-) Thanks again.
jim
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