Best way to strip painted aluminum wheels

[68byrd]

I have a set of painted aluminum wheels that I would like to strip and refinish. I was planning on using a sandblaster with a good media that will not damage the aluminum. Any ideas for what media will work the best? If so, what, and were can I get it? Thanks.

[CliffsBlueCamaro]

I had a set of wheels plastic media blasted and they turned out great - no pitting at all, and I didnt even have to remove the tires.

[68byrd]

Cliff-
Thanks for the info. I like the E39 M5 wheels on the Camaro by the way. I've always liked those rims.

[CliffsBlueCamaro]

Thanks man! Unfortunately I sold them no to long ago.

Also, with stripping the wheels - don't use a chemical spray stripper. I tried it on one of my wheels and it worked ok, but did etch the aluminum a bit.

[kochevy67]

EZ Off oven ckeaner. Make sure it is the yellow can.

[elitecustombody]

regular playground sand works just fine on aluminum wheels, here are some pics of my wheels I blasted and painted couple weeks ago ,custom mixed black metallic with flat clear and solid black gloss lips

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/copperredsupramywheels003-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/copperredsupramywheels013-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/coppersupra023-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/copperredsupramywheels043-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/coppersupra025-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/copperredsupramywheels048-1.jpg

[68byrd]

Elitecustom- We use silica sand to blast all the steel parts we clean. Is that the same as playground sand? I suppose if the psi to to blaster isn't too high it will work fine. Thanks. Nice lookin' Supra.