If you have ever tried to remove powder coating from an object before, you may be wondering if it is even possible to remove it from a rim because the process can be such a stubborn one. The good news is that it is possible. The bad news is that it can be a pain to remove.
While there are a few different methods for removing powder coating from rims, the most-used methods include chemical stripping, heat, and abrasive blasting. Here is a quick overview of these methods:
Chemical Strippers
One of the most commonly used methods for removing powder coating is chemical stripping. There are many different brands of chemical remover that can be applied with a bristle brush and usually take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours to work. However, some need to be set overnight.
Heat (Thermal) Removal
Heat is usually a safer version of powder coat removal than chemical stripping. The heat breaks down the powder coating into ash so that it can then be washed off. The two methods mostly used during this process are either bake-off or burn-off. The Burn method can be very difficult to achieve with DIY methods and are mostly done at large facilities due to the need for temperatures of 1,000-2,000 degrees. However, the bake-off method only requires 650-750 degrees for 3 to 6 hours.
Abrasive Blasting
Sometimes this method is referred to as Mechanical Removal. It uses abrasives such as sand which is then blasted at the powder coated object at very high speeds. This process is built to strip the coating off of the rims. This method requires a sandblast cabinet which includes pressure and suction.
Conclusion
While powder coating can be difficult to remove on your own, the process can be done in many different ways.
This post was written by Justin K, owner of Wheel Identity. Wheel Identity is Tampa Bay’s premier custom shop. We carry custom wheels in Tampa for every vehicle, custom suspension kits, and all accessories for the interior or exterior of your vehicle. We only hire highly trained technicians using state of the art equipment with experience in all areas of tire, wheel, suspension, and 4×4 needs