Here is the products you will need.

1. Paint Stripper (Aircraft Stripper)
2. Metal pan or bucket
3. Brass brush
4. Foam brush / Paint Brush to apply stripper.
5. Plastic scraper
6. Rubber gloves (the stripper burns if you get it on your skin)
7. 800-1000 grit sand paper (optional)
8. 00 Steel wool pads (not shown)

I used the 800 grit sand paper to wet sand the rear wheel a bit when I got it stripped. This is not necessary but the rear wheel will have some tiny groves in it that you can see that is from the wheel manufacture process. The rim still looks great if you dont wet sand it.

 

Pour a small mount of the stripper into the pan/bucket. I used foam brush to apply the stripper to the wheel.

 

I used painters tape to mask off the area I wanted stripped. It works good and provides a nice line for the polish part and the painted part of the wheel.

There is a raised ridge on the wheel where you can see the rough area (raised) and the spun inner lip of the wheel. Just mask along that line to get a good uniform line.

 

Apply the stripper to one side of the wheel at a time. Let the stripper sit for about 30-45 minutes to work in. Let the stripper do the work here. The more you let the stripper get at the paint the less scrubbing you have to do.

 

After you let the stripper work, use the brass brush to scrub some of the loosened paint off. Dont worry it will look like its not coming off too easy, you just have to scrub what comes off and then wipe off the removed paint and apply another coat of stripper. You will have to do this a few times before the paint is completely off.

 

Here is the second coat of stripper and brushed. As you can see its coming off, little at a time. Dont worry be patient it will strip.

 

Ok now we are getting somewhere. This about the 4th or 5th time I have applied stripper and brushed/steel wool the wheel.

 

This is what it should look like after the final stripper phase. Use the steel wool to remove any leftover specs of paint. You can be as anal as you want here, I was pretty picky so it came out pretty clean.

 

Here is where I wet sanded the wheel. You dont need to do this, I did make a small difference but not necessary. I could have done it longer but it was pretty smooth after about 15-20 minutes of scrubbing.

Next step is to get your favorite aluminum polish and polish those lips. I used Mothers Polish it works great. I also have some Metal Gloss which is a liquid polish and works equally as well.

 

Here is one side done. Pretty!

 

Rear is done. I like it...

 

Now just do the same for the front wheel. I took the tires off because I have the new Power 2CT on order and will be putting them on. You do not have to take your tires off to do this. Although it is easier to get at the edge of the rim, but I did my last two bikes with tires on.

Here is the front done.

 

Bling Bling! Both tires are ready for tires. Just polish them once in awhile to keep the shine. This mod is cheap and looks pretty good for minimal money and time.

 

Did someone say stripped wheels??


Nice write up, although there are several out there..

 

Let me ad, make sure to apply the stripper in one direction, not back and forth. And water kills the affect of the stripper in case you get it on your hands...And on that note.......Stickied.

 

yep, here's mine

 

What a great idea. It looks awesome. If your looking for a good polish to complement your rims I think this is the best. I have tried everything in the past 30 something years. I purchased it at a bike show in NYC. Its called: Master Formula. There's a polish and a sealer. After buying one of each I went on the internet and split a case with my friend.

 

Yup thats what I stated I used. Metal Gloss it comes with a cleaner, polisher and sealer. Stuff works pretty good.

 

Well if you don't feel comfortable using paint stripper, you can just start with a rougher sandpaper(maybe 200) and then work your way up removing scratches with each progression to a smoother paper. That's what I did. A lot more time consuming but I personally like the old fashioned way of doing things. And I use Excalibur Metal Polish.

 

i really want to do this mod, the only thing is, i wanna make sure my rims looks just like his.. they almost look crome..

 

Wheat, you have any more shots of the rims on your bike. I am trying to decide if I wanna try this.

 

Not to jack the thread....But here are a few. I only did the rear on the R1, other bikes both. But i just like how only the back looks.

 

i like the look of the whole rim being polished instead of just the lip... just my .02

 

yea good write up, i just did the outer lip on my old R6. i liked it plus it hide the scraches from hand changin the tires

 

wow, Great idea and looks awesome!!..i'm gonna do this, seems easy enough but a little time consuming..good winter project.......btw is it to clean the wheel now?:dunno

 

If you "just" remove the powdercoat, then there is Clearcoat under it. So its super easy to keep clean...

 

Thanks Wheat

 

darkphiber,
Can this be done without removing the wheels from the bike.

 

Yes you can do it on the bike...Enjoy sitting on your rear though....

 

Good work Darkphiber, nice write up :thumbup