The easiest method of removing powder coating?

[Lu-Max]

I have 2, 12-inch steel trailer wheels. They have very cheap white powder coating on them (China) that has become discolored, a sort of yellow-beige color. I plan to remove the powder coat and have them redone in satin black. The easiest method for removing the coating appears to be "vapor Blasting" but the quote I got was far too high. The second best technique I read about is maybe gasket remover spray, I'm going to try that first. Finally, media blasting them is the other alternative, but I have read that it requires robust media, a lot of pressure, and is time-consuming.

For anyone that has removed powder coating from steel before, what method did you use and how did it work out for you?

Thanks!

 

[cstmg8]

When I was removing powder coat from some brembo calipers, my powder coat guy told me to spray them down with aircraft remover and wrap in plastic wrap to "soak". Worked great.

 

[cstmg8]

This.

 

[FredWanaker]

CRC gasket remover is what this person used.

 

[brownbagg]

be cheaper to buy new wheels with tires, tractor supply has them

 

[nadogail]

My powder coat guy sand blasts.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Torch.

 

[infinkc]

Aircraft stripper remover

 

[readhead]

Weed burner then a quick sand blast clean up.

 

[MeentSS02]

If you end up using gasket remover, make sure you don't get any on your bare skin (especially your hands).

It's been at least 15 years, and I still remember how much that burned.

 

[mikedodge]

If the powder coat is still I'm good shape and the rims aren't rusting scuff them up and spray paint them. The powder coat will still give good protection and and satin black is easy to spray. Plus it saves a lot of work on Chinese rims.

 

[CraigStu]

cstmg8 thanks for that link. I have never heard of that but will be getting a can soon.

 

[like2wheel]

If the powder coat is still I'm good shape and the rims aren't rusting scuff them up and spray paint them. The powder coat will still give good protection and and satin black is easy to spray. Plus it saves a lot of work on Chinese rims.

I gotta agree with this if the finish is sound but just discolored.
Scuff well & use 2k spray for best results

 

[Lu-Max]

An old friend of mine is an expert, very experienced powder coater and we barter our services back and forth, we rarely charge each other anything. He only asks that everything I bring in is bare metal so he and his guys don't have to waste any time doing prep. I greatly prefer powder coat to paint, especially for something like trailer wheels. Wish I could get the entire trailer frame coated but that's not feasible.
Anyway, the red cans of CRC Gasket Remover are not sold in CA (I couldn't find them), so I tried 2 cans of the green with moderate success. Whatever the chemical they remove from the CA version must give it a lot more strength because I left it on the surface for over 2 hours before I wire brushed them. It removed maybe 80% of the old coating along with using my 4000psi pressure washer. I will blast them in my cabinet to remove what's left, that'll also rough up the surface a bit.
A lot of work for free powder coating, but I know how they'll look once he's done so it's worth it.
The bottom line seems is that the easiest method seems to be Dustless Blasting, but since that wasn't an available option I guess I did it the hard way. Thanks for the help and ideas fellas.

 

[Nosferatu]

I've used Citristrip on several powdercoated parts with great results:

Citristrip 1 qt. Safer Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel Non-NMP QCSG801 - The Home Depot

Be certain of removing remains of paint quickly by applying this excellent Citristrip Safer Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel Non-NMP. Easy to use.

www.homedepot.com

 

[tester19]

Another vote to burn it first to destroy the epoxy and then blast.
Pretty quick otherwise a long time blasting.
.
.
.

 

[ace10]

Starting at $25...

https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer_Tires_and_Wheels-sf-Wheel_Only-pc-12_Inch.aspx

 

[Lu-Max]

Blasted them today and dropped off for satin black p.c.

 

[dffay]

Oven cleaner.

 

[boyleged]

We get door frames powdered coated for work and when we need a respray the powder coater "burns" it off for us. Not sure what that means but fire is involved

 

[mike93lx]

Hand sand and respray.

I buy new trailer wheels online when the wheel is rough and the tire needs to be replaced. Coat seems about neutral to buying just a tire locally and having it mounted.

 

[NDJ]

Local sandblast/coating place has a a high-temp oven they put parts in to burn off any old coatings.
Paint stripper in a can aint what is used to be since they banned methylene chloride in 2019.

 

[Blk88GT]

I just went through this last week. Proform makes an excellent aircraft paint stripper. I took off brand new powdercoating (they covered the fittings I asked them to mask off)

 

[imagineer]

Methylene Chloride. It's the only chemical that dissolves powder coat. Is not easy to find as it's an awful carcinogen and is prohibited now.
I got lucky and found some in old stock at an AutoZone. The manager was happy to finally have it out of his store.