making my wheels all nice and clean

[Session101]

Just got done de-greasing the motor with chemicals then using a power washer to clean it off and except for the residue looks great!

my wheels still look like shit though because they have black paint on them that has been peeling/coming off, and i don't want the paint

any good suggestions on how to get rid of the paint with the tires still on?
I know i can take the tire off and take it to have sand/soda blasted but i think its going to cost more $$ than to just wait until my next set of tires. I have a dremel but i know taking a wire wheel to the wheel might wreck it, and if i use solvents then they might hit the tire and either swell it or destroy it, it just costs i think $36 to have a tire mounted and balanced each... so i don't want to do that (costs more to do a motorcycle tire than a car tire...)

[montmil]

Those black wheels have OEM paint underneath 'em. Getting the black paint off without destroying the original coating will be a real problem. Paint removers will do just that. Blast media... ditto.

You may likely end up with bare, exposed aluminum -think corrosion- that will require a proper paint job to get the wheels looking OEM... again.

Best of luck.

I'd like to develop a powder coat color that looks like a combination of brake dust, road film, hydraulic fluid and oil streaks. Never need to waste time cleaning those snowflakes again.

[Session101]

so they acctually painted the wheels a color?
I would figure they would want the aluminum to show and just clear coat that, but i think that's what i will have to do, is just get the wheels stripped then shine them up and take to have clearcoated

[georgesgiralt]

Hello !
A French company well known in product for restoring vehicules make a paint matching quite precisely the original BMW put on the wheels. The company's name is Restom and the product is here :
http://www.restom.net/pneus-roues-restom-rimalu-8330-peinture-jantes-et-enjoliveurs-211.htm
I do not know if they sell outside Europe and/or outside of France.
But you can find similar products/paints in your country. Get in touch with people restoring sport cars (with cast wheels... )

[bruce_launceston]

Soda blasting won't hurt the tyres, leave them on and get the wheels soda blasted or some places use a nut like almond shell that also won't damage the tyres.
You could then mask the tyres and clear coat or silver paint the wheels.

I have blasted my wheels and it is difficult to remove all the factory paint to get an even colour base so I would recommend a silver paint. The grit blasting does a good job of getting rid of all the grease and grime ready to apply the new paint.