I have been working on my spare wheels to determine if I want to polish, or paint my spare rims. So I took the poorest condition of the 4 wheels I have and wire brushed off corrosion spots, then used paint stripper to remove the failed clear coat.
Last step so far was to sand using 220 paper to get rid of dings and curb rash. Then hand sanded with 400/600. Man, that's tiring. My budget is 2 hrs and $25 per wheel, so I am thinking that painting might be in the works after all, unless I can find a power method to get out the sanding marks.
Any suggestions?

 

Looking pretty good, I will ask a friend of mine if there is an easier way to do that for you when I see him next week.

WheelBrokerAng

 

Come to think of it, I do have a Harbor Freight 6" buffer, maybe a recommendation on some compound or polish?

 

I bet clearcoat will be very difficult. Few years ago I asked someone who runs a body shop. He said the 2-part catalyzed clearcoat he uses on the cars, he hasn't really had good luck with the clearcoat having a long lifespan on wheels. As it dries, it gets very thin on edges, like around each hole between spokes. That's where it'll start to peel. You'll have a hard time finding a normal body shop that's equipped like the wheel-factory for that stuff.

If it were me, I'd probably paint em. I've had pretty good luck with RustOleum Wheel paint from places like AutoZone. Clearcoat of the same stuff on top of the paint.

 

Yes, the guys at the parts store are saying that too. Painting is the way to go. First the green, etch primer. then the RustOleum Wheel paint, with the system clear coat over the top.

Basically a before and after photo.

Good thing I'm not in a hurry, It took my 2 hrs to get to where I'm at on the left wheel. But it's now pretty close to a final polish.