Rim clearcoat removal
 

I just bought 2, 5 spoke firebird wheels to use for dr's. I want to clean them up a little bit, but the clear coat is missing in a few spots and is white in some spots. What can I use to remove it. I was thinking some tal-strip(industrial strength paint thinner), but I don't know if the silver under the clearcoat is just painted on, as i do not want to remove the silver.

go to pep boys and get aircraft stripper. spread it evenly on the rims and let it sit for a half hour. It will take off the clear coat for sure. Just dont get it on your skin.

Good luck stripping the clear and not the underlying paint. I don't think you'll pull that off.

ah..so they are painted silver.

sorry, i thought you said they were. i have no idea what they look like

I'm pretty sure most of the GM aluminum wheels are painted silver under the clearcoat. I will be very difficult if not impossible to remove the clear without messing up the silver paint. Plan on having to repaint them and reclear. It might be quicker just stripping them completely with a repaint anyway. You could try some stripper but it will most likely take the paint with it.