CHEMICAL PAINT DIP STRIPPING IN AUCKLAND

WHAT IS CHEMICAL STRIPPING?

Chemical paint stripping is the safest and most effective way to remove old paint, tough powder coats, and stubborn clear coats from alloy wheels. The wheel is fully submerged in a controlled chemical bath that breaks down and dissolves the coatings at a molecular level, without ever grinding or attacking the underlying metal.

Unlike harsh sandblasting or heavy mechanical sanding, chemical stripping preserves the sharp edges, factory stamped logos, and delicate machining lines of your wheels. It provides the perfect, bare-alloy canvas required for a flawless, factory-clean refinish.

WHEN TO CHOOSE CHEMICAL OVER BLASTING

• Delicate Faces & Fine Details: Protects intricate spoke designs and stamped lettering that abrasive blasting would round off or destroy.
• Heavy Build-Up: Easily removes thick layers of failed powder coat or multiple old paint jobs that mechanical sanders simply cannot reach.
• Pre-Powder Prep: Creates a perfectly clean, uncontaminated surface required for maximum powder coat adhesion.
• Corrosion Clean-Up: Removes all coatings so the bare alloy can be properly assessed for hidden cracks or structural damage before repair.

OUR STRIPPING PROCESS

1. Remove & Protect: The tyre, wheel weights, valves, and TPMS sensors are carefully removed, and any sensitive areas are masked.
2. Chemical Dip: The wheel is submerged in our aluminium-safe stripping solution. The chemical dissolves coatings evenly, penetrating deep into tight spoke pockets and lug nut holes.
3. Neutralise & Rinse: A thorough neutralising bath and high-pressure fresh-water rinse remove all chemical residues, preventing any under-film contamination that could ruin the new paint.
4. Inspect & Repair: With the wheel completely bare, we can easily spot and repair any hidden cracks, bends, or deep kerb rash.
5. Prep for Finish: The wheel is lightly scuffed or vapour blasted as needed, ready for fresh primer, paint, powder coat, or CNC diamond cutting.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WILL CHEMICAL STRIPPING DAMAGE THE ALLOY?

No. We use specific, aluminium-safe chemical solutions and strictly control the time and temperature of the bath. The goal is to lift the coatings, not attack or weaken the base metal.

DO YOU ALWAYS STRIP BEFORE REPAINTING?

If the existing finish is failing, flaking, or too thick to blend smoothly, yes. However, for light cosmetic kerb rash repairs, we may only need to spot-prep and blend the damaged area.

IS BLASTING EVER BETTER THAN CHEMICAL STRIPPING?

For heavy corrosion, or to create a specific micro-texture before powder coating, we will lightly vapour blast the wheel after the chemical strip. We always use the combination of methods that delivers the best final result.

READY TO STRIP AND REFINISH?

Don't let failing paint ruin your wheels. Send a couple of photos or swing by our Grey Lynn workshop. We'll strip the old finish cleanly and set your wheels up for a durable, factory-level refinish. Get a fast quote here.