P21s gel wheel cleaner worth it?

B

BradE

New member
Ron,



I have the set of 15'' Lincoln factory wheels that orginally came on my Town car. I switched over to Lincoln factory chrome wheels because these look sorta crappy. The clear has failed in some spots. I was hoping to rehab them so I can use them for "winter wheels" and save my expensive chrome from getting destroyed. So my question is, can I fix these wheels? Would wet sanding work and then reclear them?



Thanks.
 
Busch Industries (Charlotte NC) makes a product called "Clear Coat Remover", part # 64016. you brush it on, let sit, then hose off.



It's nasty stuff, so I'd suggest using rubber gloves, old clothes, and eye protection.



The last phone # I had for them was 704.588.2067.



I'm sure there are other strippers out there for aluminum, but I believe in using the proper product for the job.



DK - I think he was referring to the first set of Lincoln wheels, which were clear coated aluminum, and later replaced with the chrome plated ones. I believe he wants to clean up the first set, which are/were clear coated aluminum.
 
forrest is correct, my orginal Lincoln factory rims are clear coated aluminum. I switched over to Lincoln chrome wheels, but kept the old ones and thought I could restore them for winter use.



Thanks for the tip on the clearcoat stripper forrest, I will look into it.
 
The stripper Forrest refers to sound just like repackaged Chevron Air Craft Paint stripper, used to strip Imron , a two part expoxy.



Did some work with it when I lived in SoCal, and spent sometime with my cousin Duke who owned Duke's Truck Wash and Polishing in Pico Rivera. They would use the stripper to remove the clear from the Alcoa big rig wheels so they could polish them.



Truckers like really shiney wheels, and after enough times of being acidized and polished, the aluminum built up a denser outter layer that would hold the shine for several months.



Usually took 3 to 4 times before they got the density.



That stripper----



It is "nasty" stuff.



Then, you have to polish them, but if you wish to reclear them, due to the poristy of aluminum, the stripper in the pores, etc, you have a 50/50 chance of it delaming in a few months.



Best way is to have them "media" blasted to remove, then polish and have recleared.



Or, you can check in some enthusist magazines, such as AutoWeek and send them out for professional refinishing.



Last resort, since they are "winter wheels", is to sand them as much as you can to blend the areas, polish, then reclean with a prepsol and start building layers of a polyurethane clear, slowly blending out a larger and larger area until the entire wheel is recoated.



Not as good as the other methods, but what the hey, they are your "winter wheels.



Ketch



:up
 
Thanks for the info Ron. :cool: I might just sand to blend the areas since it's small spots were the clear has failed, polish and then re-clear. I'll fix them up as best as I can without spend a ton of $$$ on them since they are only going to be for winter use.



Thanks again for the info.
 
SL again a chance to practice your skills!!! You lucky dog!!!



Maybe get a small airbrush to spray the clear and blend it???
 
Attend as many trade shows a year in Vegas as I do and you'll start using those terms, "stripper" and "nasty stuff" as well.



Just goes with the territory, by the way forget the older joints, go to Cheeta's for the best show with out being ripped off by high cover charges and the drinks are much more reasonably priced.



Ketch

Ya-hoooo!

:bounce
 
We are exhibiting at NADA in Nawleans the last of Jan.



Haven't been down on Bourbon Street in a few years, but looking forward to visiting some of the old places, just don't remeber the names, but hell, I don't usually recall much of where I have been when hitting the joints on the street.



Ketch

:bounce
 
If your wheels are in bad shape then you need something strong to get them cleaned. Once they are clean, you can seal them. This will make it easier to clean them with soap and water.
So, to answer your question, P21S Gel is the real deal and worth the price if you need it. I have used it and like it, but my fav is Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner:clap:
 
Ok thanks guys, Ya my wheels never get very bad because I do seal them, but my customers are a different story. Well then I will consider it in my next purchase.
 
just make sure when u use it let it sit for at least 15 minutes. then adgitate. with a brush a little thats what i do .works awesome.i wouldnt use anything else..
 
PAR Detailing said:
Ok thanks guys, Ya my wheels never get very bad because I do seal them, but my customers are a different story. Well then I will consider it in my next purchase.
Click to expand...

If your customer wheels are really bad I would consider moving up to an acid like Meguiar's Wheel Brightener. However this is 'professional' level product and is quite strong, it can damage the surfaces of some wheels and should only be used as directed (diluted 4:1 or 10:1 water/wheel brightener) on cool rims.

I use Wheel Brightener 10:1 quite often, it is really good stuff. If I need more power I have a 4:1 bottle, and if I just need moderate cleaning then it's Optimum Powerclean 4:1
 
Yes, I love the P21s wheel gel, Since it is a pH balanced product it is completely safe on all types of wheels, you can let it dwell for 15min to 2 hours and it will not harm anytype of wheel. even bare polished aluminum. but the wheel brightener or wheel acid can damage some wheels and be harmful to ceramic brakes. just keep that in mind too.

I have also used the Chemical guys Diablo wheel gel which is also pH balanced but it SUCKS! it doesn't really eat at the brake dust to well. but it is safe to use on anything and doesn't cost as much as the P21s
 
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