[urq] DIY aluminum wheels refinishing

[j.koenig]

More thoughts...

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Louis-Alain_Richard at computerhorizons.com>

I browsed the internet a bit, but I would like some answers from you guys, regarding these topics:

1- How to strip the original paint without attacking the aluminum ?
You may want to consider blasting -- with something softer than aluminum, like walnut shells maybe...

2- I want the natural aluminum look, like the 60's mag wheels  (with maybe a polished lip). I will buy a blast gun (and make a cabinet...) but what is the media that I should use for blasting ?
... the people from whom you buy the blasting hardware should know what you need to  a) remove old finish, or  b) get the texture you want, and they'll sell it to you too!

3a- After blasting, is there a way to protect the finish that I can do myself (including buying a paint gun) to acheive a nice (but not coucours) finish ?
You really want them anodized but, if cost is prohibitive, you probably just want a clearcoat paint (satin?  matte?) to prevent certain corrosion.

3b- How, why and where can I have the wheels "anodized" ?


Thanks in advance.

Louis-Alain