How do you strip the clear coat off a wood wheel without screwing it up for paint?

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
NorthSouth
Posts: 512
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2019 9:18 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: California
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring, 1912 Warren Speedster
Location: West Coast
MTFCA Number: 50392

How do you strip the clear coat off a wood wheel without screwing it up for paint?

Post by NorthSouth » Sat Oct 16, 2021 7:24 pm

-
Hello fellow Model T-ers,

I want to strip these wheels of “whatever” the previous owner covered them with but I do not want to apply a chemical etc that will absorb into the wood and therefore cause problems with paint adhesion later. I also do not want to physically damage the wood by sandblasting.

Short of just folding up sand paper and going at it by hand, would any of you know of a way to remove the clear coat in a way that will not cause problems down the road? I would be grateful for any guidance that you may offer.
-
Attachments
7AF3D585-8E99-4266-9C81-730F0C5A9C11.jpeg
29DAEAE2-1DB2-4C3D-B9C9-D4BFA22CFA35.jpeg
500EC503-FDA2-4843-8361-06D8674C4F1B.jpeg

User avatar

Rich Eagle
Posts: 6796
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Eagle
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
MTFCA Number: 1219
Contact:

Re: How do you strip the clear coat off a wood wheel without screwing it up for paint?

Post by Rich Eagle » Sat Oct 16, 2021 8:14 pm

If the clear coat is compatible with what you are going to use next I would just sand it smooth and paint over it. It might make a nice filler coat. Try one spoke and see how it goes. I like enamel on wheels and it goes over most paints nicely.
Best of Luck
Rich
When did I do that?


TRZim
Posts: 87
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:56 pm
First Name: Tom
Last Name: Zimmer
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 touring 1914 touring 1915 speedster
Location: Upland Ca.
MTFCA Number: 15920

Re: How do you strip the clear coat off a wood wheel without screwing it up for paint?

Post by TRZim » Sat Oct 16, 2021 8:38 pm

I used sand paper. Get some one inch rolled up sandpaper. Easy to strip spokes, get 30 gallon plastic trash can put rin on top and start sanding. Won’t take long. If you are going to restrain and varnish you must get it all off. If your going to paint, use some high build primer then sand and then add more primer until perfectly smooth.

User avatar

Henry K. Lee
Posts: 5339
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Lee
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
MTFCA Number: 479
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: How do you strip the clear coat off a wood wheel without screwing it up for paint?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Sat Oct 16, 2021 8:56 pm

Wood spokes should be scraped first like restoring a split bamboo fly rod. This keeps the grain in place since all quality spokes were originally split from a block to maximize grain to end to end. Any quality scraper with various curves or make your own should do. Then sand with 180 grit and do as you want.

Hank


FordFool
Posts: 168
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 4:49 pm
First Name: Don
Last Name: Kirtley
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 and 16 touring, 18 and 20 coup, 20 tudor
Location: Devore, CA
MTFCA Number: 23703
MTFCI Number: 23153
Board Member Since: 2009

Re: How do you strip the clear coat off a wood wheel without screwing it up for paint?

Post by FordFool » Sat Oct 16, 2021 9:02 pm

Scrape with peaces of broken glass. Cheep tool. I did a set of wheels that way years ago. Worked for me.


Allan
Posts: 5205
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
First Name: Allan
Last Name: Bennett
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: How do you strip the clear coat off a wood wheel without screwing it up for paint?

Post by Allan » Sun Oct 17, 2021 3:30 am

I've used the broken glass trick too, but found 1.5" strips cut from household window type glass just as good but even more manageable. With a strip, you have 4 edges to use. As they get blunt, just turn to a new edge. Start on a new piece of glass when necessary. Always scrape with the grain. Same applies for sanding. Any glass shop will gladly cut you some strips from an off-cut. Mine supplied the off-cut and cut the strips free. The straight edge of the cut strips drawn from the V between the spokes is the best way to clean the V, and you can be pulling with the grain as you come onto the spoke shaft.

Hope this helps,
Allan from down under.

User avatar

Humblej
Posts: 1690
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:23 pm
First Name: Jeff
Last Name: Humble
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Canadian built coupe, 1924 TT C-cab, survivor 1924 roadster
Location: Charlevoix, Mi
MTFCA Number: 28034
Board Member Since: 2006

Re: How do you strip the clear coat off a wood wheel without screwing it up for paint?

Post by Humblej » Sun Oct 17, 2021 7:23 am

I have used a broken glass jar, it gives a curved edge to scrape with.

User avatar

Mark Nunn
Posts: 1105
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:01 am
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Nunn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
Location: Bennington, NE
MTFCA Number: 50321
Board Member Since: 2017

Re: How do you strip the clear coat off a wood wheel without screwing it up for paint?

Post by Mark Nunn » Sun Oct 17, 2021 4:58 pm

Google card scraper on woodworking sites. Once properly prepared, card scrapers will shave off the finish.


Topic author
NorthSouth
Posts: 512
Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2019 9:18 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: California
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Touring, 1912 Warren Speedster
Location: West Coast
MTFCA Number: 50392

Re: How do you strip the clear coat off a wood wheel without screwing it up for paint?

Post by NorthSouth » Mon Oct 18, 2021 2:32 pm

-
Per your advice, I picked up these shards of quarter inch thick mirror “for free” at my local glass shop. Along with some strips of 100 grit sandpaper, this failing clearcoat is coming off easily and completely with no damage to the wood or nasty residue..

Now I just have to fight with Larry “Original” Smith as to whether these 1911 wheels will be painted the body color or left natural like Kieth Townsend’s stunning 1911 Touring.

Thank you all for your advice. I am moving along nicely with this project.
-
2D994AB1-7745-4FAB-BEF5-5505A93E05E2.jpeg
Attachments
42DD70CC-7913-42A3-A5BB-76F1240CDBD3.jpeg


jiminbartow
Posts: 2203
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:55 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Patrick
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Coupe
Location: Bartow, FL
MTFCA Number: 50126
Board Member Since: 2001

Re: How do you strip the clear coat off a wood wheel without screwing it up for paint?

Post by jiminbartow » Mon Oct 18, 2021 3:51 pm

Scrape and sand off varnish as described by others, then using a 1” paint brush, clean bare wood with a wash of lacquer thinner to flow off wood dust and any remnants of remaining varnish. A stiff, but flexible plastic bristled parts cleaning brush (see photo) will also help in cleaning the wood grain and nooks and crannies between the spokes. The parts cleaning brush can be purchased at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Auto Zone or any auto parts store. With the thinner still wet, it will allow you to see how the spokes will look when clear coated. If the wood is still splotchy, do it again until the spokes are a uniform color with no splotchiness. When they are to your satisfaction, clean off any remaining residue with a cotton rag soaked with lacquer thinner. Once dry, lacquer thinner leaves absolutely no residue in or on the wood. Jim Patrick

79E35A73-D0DF-41AF-90E7-0D7740E80D68.jpeg


Ned L
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat Dec 12, 2020 9:47 pm
First Name: Ned
Last Name: Lloyd
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Coupe, 1924 huckster
Location: Moosup Ct
MTFCA Number: 0
Board Member Since: 2020

Re: How do you strip the clear coat off a wood wheel without screwing it up for paint?

Post by Ned L » Mon Oct 18, 2021 7:55 pm

I have to say I would have concerns with that much lacquer thinner. That stuff is very flammable. Just a good shop vac with a brush attachment & maybe followed by some compressed air works fine.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic