trying to strip some 18” alloys but having trouble

[frankA38PA]

hello all.

recently i bought some curb damaged 18” alloys for my a3 and thought i’d try to refurb them. i started filling, sanding then started to prime but the primer was cracking, so i decided to completely start from the base. i have been trying to strip them for a couple weeks now using a stripper and a jet washer which at first was going quite well, however i’ve ran into some really tacky and rubber like layer which although comes off at some parts, a lot of it just won’t budge and it’s quite frustrating me and after not getting a lot of help from google i was hoping i could get some help and advice on here. im just looking to see if there’s a way i can do it that would make it easy, a product that would be more effective or wether i might be better getting them sorted professionally. cheers

ive attached some pics of the wheels and stripper im using.

- also seems to be a weird shiny layer that when i jet wash starts to turn a darker colour rather that coming off.

 

[cliffcoggin]

The sticky flakey layer is a form of lacquer which is likely why paint stripper is not shifting it. Try wiping with cellulose thinners or lacquer thinners.

[frankA38PA]

ahh right, that would explain it. appreciate the help cliff - will update how it goes when i get my hands on some tomorrow. thank you 👌

[spartacus 68]

Refurburbishing alloys is a thankless task, and to be honest it’s one of these things best left to the professionals and powder coating, rebalance, etc. That’s different if it was just a scuff, but this is a full strip-down.

The time, cost of materials, including zinc etch primer, base coat primer, colour coat and a few coats of lacquer soon mounts up.

If you’re determined to do it, then the alloys need to be spotless. Paint wise, then Würth silver metallic is as close to Audi OE as you’ll get.

Edited Tuesday at 08:29 PM by spartacus 68