Removing Plasti Dip From Wheels: Top Effective Methods

Removing plasti dip from wheels comes up when the customized look on your car has gone out of fashion, or you want to sell your vehicle. Fortunately, the dip is not permanent, and there are multiple ways to remove it from your wheels and install a new one.

The most effective way is to use kerosene and a toothbrush to chip the dip off your wheels until you get rid of it. Aside from that, there are six other methods that we will cover in this guide, so keep on reading below.

Seven Ways to Remove Plasti Dip From Wheels

There are different ways to remove plasti dip from your car wheels, all of which are effective. Depending on how long the dip has been there, your rims would have more or less. But you can simply use one of these products and scrub it off. It is also possible to use more than one way if one is not fully effective, but avoid physically mixing the substances.

1. Use Kerosene

Kerosene is a cost-efficient and practical way to remove plasti dip from your car wheels without stress. This kind of organic solvent can be easily purchased, and it follows an easy process to clean the dip off.

Follow the steps below to use kerosene in eliminating plasti dip:

• First, remove the tire from your vehicle and place it on another surface. You can reduce the mess by laying cardboard over the surface and putting your wheel on it. This way, when you remove the dip, it ends up on the cardboard.
• Pour the kerosene into the glass jar but don’t fill it up to prevent a mess. Then, dip the toothbrush into the kerosene and let the bristles soak up as much of it as possible. You can get a new toothbrush or use an old one that you plan to dispose of.
• Apply the kerosene to the wheels’ rims using the toothbrush. Be careful not to let the kerosene touch the rubber coating of the tire, and if it does, remove it with a rag right away.
• Once the kerosene is applied, wait for 10 minutes so that it soaks into the plasti dip. Then, rip it off. This would be a bit hard, so you might have to use something with a pointed end, like a wooden stick, to remove the plasti dip.
• There might still be bits of dip left on the rim, so you can soak a rag in kerosene and scrub the rest of it out.

Once you remove all the plasti dip by repeating the steps, you should clean up the wheels thoroughly. This would be useful in getting rid of the potent kerosene odor. You can use a hose, sponge, and soapy water, or if there is still dip residue, opt for a power washer.

2. Use WD-40

One of the most versatile products for taking care of your car is the WD-40. This substance is able to lubricate, get rid of rust, clean parts of your car, and also get rid of plasti dip on your wheels. So, you can use WD-40 instead of kerosene to loosen up the dip before scraping it off.

Here are the steps that you should follow:

• WD-40 usually comes in a can, so spray it onto the plasti dip on your wheel. Spray it from the top of the wheel and go down to the bottom. Cover it completely.
• When spraying it, avoid touching the wheel. This won’t cause damage, but it won’t do you good to drive with it.
• Use a clean rag to spread the WD-40 around the dip and make sure it is completely coated.
• Wait for 10 minutes so that the WD-40 is soaked into the plasti dip. You might notice it bubbling, and it would eventually soften.
• Once the entire thing has softened, you should use a power washer. If you don’t have a pressure washer, use a hose or use warm water and a sponge.
• Peel off the dip by hand while wearing a rubber glove, or use another object to remove it.
• Scrub the rest with a clean rag.

Once you are done, you should wash the rims with soap and water and get rid of any plasti dip residue and WD-40 on the surface.

3. Use Other Adhesive Removers

Aside from kerosene and WD-40, you should consider other adhesive removers. One of the popular options is the Goo Gone, which is cheap and effective. But it is potent and should not be left on the rubber coating of your tire. Also, consider getting a mask if you are using this because it has a lot of fumes.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Remove the tires first and put them on cardboard. This allows you to prevent the adhesive from touching other parts of your vehicle and damaging it.
• It’s important to wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from fumes. If you don’t have gloves, you can simply use a towel or a T-shirt and put it over your mouth and nose.
• Cover your rag in the remover and apply it to the plasti dip. Rub the substance in as much as you can, and then wait for about 10 minutes for it to soak in.
• Now, you can start peeling the dip off with your hands, rag, or stick. You can use a sponge and soap to remove the residue left behind.

Now, you can clean the wheel with soap, a sponge, and a power washer. This would rinse the wheel and also get rid of the residue. Keep washing it until you get rid of the smell of adhesive and the rim is clean.

4. Use Rubbing Alcohol

You should also use rubbing alcohol to get rid of the plasti dip on your wheel. Rubbing alcohol is good for removing organic substances from your wheels. It isn’t too toxic, so gloves and face coverings are not needed. But you can use them for extra protection, especially since the alcohol could damage your skin.

Apply light layers of the isopropyl alcohol to your dip using a rag or a toothbrush. Then, leave it to soak in for a bit. After that, you can start peeling it. Repeat this until there is no plasti dip left. Once you are done, wash it up so that it does not damage your tires. Also, if you notice any rubbing alcohol on your rubber tire, you should clean it immediately.

5. Use Paint Thinner

You can also consider using paint thinner to remove dip from your wheels, but it is not as effective as other solvents like kerosene. If you don’t have any other option, you can apply the thinner to the plasti dip and leave it to soak before scraping. But if you have another solvent, the thinner can be used to remove the residue.

After scraping the plasti dip on your wheel, the thinner would only remove some. You would have to apply the thinner, leave it to soak, and scrap it repeatedly until it has been removed completely. You can use a cloth or a toothbrush soaked in thinner to remove the dip, depending on how thick and sticky it is.

6. Use Nails

If you need to urgently remove plasti dip from your wheels and there are no substances that you can use, you can go for nails. This should be a last resort, and this method is highly time-consuming and tedious. It involves chipping the edge of the dip and then peeling it from there. Avoid sticking the nail into the dip.

You can only use nails if the plasti dip layer is very thick, and the nail can peel it off without damaging the rim. But keep in mind that using nails can scratch your rims or cause damage to you.

7. Dip Dissolver

The final method on our list is the Dip Dissolver, which is a product made by Plasti Dip. Plasti dip coatings are usually thick, and you can peel them off after applying the dissolver. But, using this solvent requires a suitable power washer. You can remove the wheel or leave it attached to the vehicle, although the former is recommended.

Then, apply a generous spray to the plasti dip surfaces. Leave it to soak for about five minutes, or you can rub it off to check if it can easily be removed. Spray the power washer to get rid of the soft plasti dip. You can repeat this process until it is done and dry it with a towel.

Conclusion

With our guide on removing plasti dip from wheels, you can easily get rid of this sticky residue with no trace.

Here’s a rundown of what our article covered:

• Kerosene is the most effective way to remove plasti dip from wheels, and you can do so by applying it with a toothbrush, leaving it to soak in, and removing it.
• Other removers include WD-40, Goo Gone adhesive, or Dip Dissolver.
• You can consider rubbing alcohol and paint thinner, and nails only act as a last resort for plasti dip removal.

If you want to get rid of plasti dip on your wheels to sell your car or change the design, you can use one of the seven methods on our list. It’s important to wear protective gear and wash the wheel afterward to remove traces of the adhesive or solvent.

References

• https://plastidip.com/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3664014

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