I'll keep this mostly pics. Bought an extra set of GT wheels for the 97 mustang and decided to refinish them myself. Havent decided if I like the results or not. Tried with the worst wheel and have finished with everything except the clear coat. Feel free to comment.

Sprayed the wheel with stripper


One of the other wheels and examples of traditional curb rash, damage, corrosion, etc...that is on all of the wheels, including the ones on the car.






Stripper doing it's thing. Sorry there's no pole in this picture, but singles and 5's are accepted.





Stuff I used


First round of stripping complete





Dried and corrosion / clear coat failure
is apparent



Some clear coat still remains




Second stripping session results. Almost everything gone.


Starting to get into the curb rash and other physical damage. Went after this first time with dremel tool. Dremel to get rid of nasty ridges, 400grit, super fine steel wool, 1500 grit, 3000 grit wet, mothers polish all in the order.










More corrosion around the area where the cover goes. Same process as previously described minus the dremel. Took more elbow grease as expected.










The wheel pretty much in the final stages



Comparison of pre road rash and post on the perimeter. Went after with dremel again, but this time I broke out the little power palm sander to go after all the curb rash. Went all the way around instead of just a tiny section. Actually really happy with out that turned out and it's clean all the way around.




Close to complete. Left one is original condition. Right is the one I worked on. After this pic I put color in the hole areas and the back of the wheel (graphite) but without the clear coat. Hoping the clear coat tones down that glossiness a little bit. I need to paint the little horse then add the clear too.


What I will do on the next wheel is this. Strip it twice. Remove any remaining clear that is hanging out with a razor blade. Then break out the dremel and get rid of any major curb damage. Use the little palm power sander to smooth the area out, especially on the lip. Carefully sand the corroded areas, from 80 to 400 to 1500 to 3000 then polish lightly. After it's done add the color. Then clear it.