Wheel restoration (what will get this gunk off)

OhDannyBoy · 01-20-2022, 10:23 AM

Hey guys. I am trying to clean up some wheels I have. They are aluminum 10 inch stock (but a little nicer option i think). Problem is there is some kind of hard gunk on them that i cant get off. I've tried household products and automotive degreaser with steel wool. I plan on painting these but i got to get this stuff off first. any chemical solvents you guys might recommend? sander pads? etc. im painting so i have to scuff anyway.

cbdeese61 · 01-20-2022, 10:46 AM

Where is it located on the wheels? Maybe can look at dremel drum sanding bits if it is hard to get to.

crash12888 · 01-20-2022, 10:52 AM

Really need to determine what it is, Can you post some pics?
Tree sap, road tar, epoxy all will require different products to remove it but you need to use caution when using certain chemicals on aluminum.
Try Easy off oven cleaner on a little spot on the back to test for adverse effects before trying on the front, paint stripper?
If you are going to paint then maybe scraper then media blast.

OhDannyBoy · 01-20-2022, 12:00 PM

its my understanding this was a maintenance cart. there was everything from house paint, caulk, plaster everywhere on the body so so my guess is that its some type of hardener material for home repair. its located mainly in tight groves of the metal. I'm certain a Dremel sander could do it. just don't have a Dremel anymore. (broke it). was hoping there might be a cleaner that's not expensive that might soften it up. if i got to buy a new Dremel (need to anyway) i might as well just find a cheap set of used rims for a fraction of the price.

Basically, they're pretty good AT tires on the wheels. I bought new wheels and tires but now we just got another really nice cart and i want to keep the new wheels i bought so I'm trying to find a less expensive alternative to clean these up and sell the cart. try to make my money back on project.

rib33024 · 01-20-2022, 01:00 PM

sand blast them. or some aircraft paint remover spray cans at the auto store might do it

DOOmsman · 01-20-2022, 03:28 PM

Try a propane torch to soften and then scrape, wire brush.

dundeebarnbuggy · 01-20-2022, 03:48 PM

I'd just sandblast the crap off, at the same time leaving a perfect surface for paint.

01-20-2022, 10:23 AM	#1
OhDannyBoy Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 68	Wheel restoration (what will get this gunk off) Hey guys. I am trying to clean up some wheels I have. They are aluminum 10 inch stock (but a little nicer option i think). Problem is there is some kind of hard gunk on them that i cant get off. I've tried household products and automotive degreaser with steel wool. I plan on painting these but i got to get this stuff off first. any chemical solvents you guys might recommend? sander pads? etc. im painting so i have to scuff anyway.

01-20-2022, 10:46 AM	#2
cbdeese61 Gone Wild Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Green Cove Springs, FL Posts: 176	Re: Wheel restoration (what will get this gunk off) Where is it located on the wheels? Maybe can look at dremel drum sanding bits if it is hard to get to.

01-20-2022, 10:52 AM	#3
crash12888 Gone Crazy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chesterfield, Va Posts: 6,021	Re: Wheel restoration (what will get this gunk off) Really need to determine what it is, Can you post some pics? Tree sap, road tar, epoxy all will require different products to remove it but you need to use caution when using certain chemicals on aluminum. Try Easy off oven cleaner on a little spot on the back to test for adverse effects before trying on the front, paint stripper? If you are going to paint then maybe scraper then media blast.

01-20-2022, 12:00 PM	#4
OhDannyBoy Not Yet Wild Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 68	Re: Wheel restoration (what will get this gunk off) its my understanding this was a maintenance cart. there was everything from house paint, caulk, plaster everywhere on the body so so my guess is that its some type of hardener material for home repair. its located mainly in tight groves of the metal. I'm certain a Dremel sander could do it. just don't have a Dremel anymore. (broke it). was hoping there might be a cleaner that's not expensive that might soften it up. if i got to buy a new Dremel (need to anyway) i might as well just find a cheap set of used rims for a fraction of the price. Basically, they're pretty good AT tires on the wheels. I bought new wheels and tires but now we just got another really nice cart and i want to keep the new wheels i bought so I'm trying to find a less expensive alternative to clean these up and sell the cart. try to make my money back on project.

01-20-2022, 01:00 PM	#5
rib33024 ...................... Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FT Lauderdale FL. Posts: 16,416	Re: Wheel restoration (what will get this gunk off) sand blast them. or some aircraft paint remover spray cans at the auto store might do it

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01-20-2022, 03:28 PM	#6
DOOmsman Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Reddick IL Posts: 11,220	Re: Wheel restoration (what will get this gunk off) Try a propane torch to soften and then scrape, wire brush.

01-20-2022, 03:48 PM	#7
dundeebarnbuggy Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dundee quebec Posts: 3,190	Re: Wheel restoration (what will get this gunk off) I'd just sandblast the crap off, at the same time leaving a perfect surface for paint.

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