Painted Carbon Wheels
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 406
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From: Toronto
2025 AMG G 63 SUV /// 2025 AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4 Door Coupé
Painted Carbon Wheels
Does anyone know if it’s possible to strip paint from carbon fibre wheels to get back to the bare carbon look, then clear coat them for protection??
Thank you.
Thank you.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2025
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From: USA
That's a risky job. Paint stripper can ruin the carbon fiber. You need a pro to carefully sand it and apply a new clear coat. Don't attempt it yourself.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 406
Likes: 147
From: Toronto
2025 AMG G 63 SUV /// 2025 AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4 Door Coupé
Thanks for the reply!
Has anyone here had direct experience with stripping paint from structural load bearing carbon, such as wheels?
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
As mentioned, it would require manual sanding labor, versus a chemical process. In my opinion, the big risk here is that you have to trust the person who is sanding it to somehow not hit any of the fibers. They wouldn’t damage anything structurally, but they would damage it cosmetically nothing worse than very shiny carbon fiber that when you look at it up close, you can see damage on the outer surface. Most times when you are looking at the surface of carbon fiber, a cosmetic weave that was laid down first before the structural build (multiple directions) is laid down afterwards behind that cosmetic weave. This would be very hard to do with a perfect outcome..
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 406
Likes: 147
From: Toronto
2025 AMG G 63 SUV /// 2025 AMG GT 63 S E Performance 4 Door Coupé
As mentioned, it would require manual sanding labor, versus a chemical process. In my opinion, the big risk here is that you have to trust the person who is sanding it to somehow not hit any of the fibers. They wouldn’t damage anything structurally, but they would damage it cosmetically nothing worse than very shiny carbon fiber that when you look at it up close, you can see damage on the outer surface. Most times when you are looking at the surface of carbon fiber, a cosmetic weave that was laid down first before the structural build (multiple directions) is laid down afterwards behind that cosmetic weave. This would be very hard to do with a perfect outcome..
Back story is I’m in the market for a somewhat unique convertible sports car and the SL63 was considered, but then I’d have 3 Mercs all having the same engine.
So I landed on a 2025 C8 Z06 Corvette. It has a wonderful flat pane V8 that screams to 86 hundred RPM, looks like a beast, sounds like a European exotic, etc etc. The dealer did a great job spec’ing the car but imo made one big mistake. They optioned the Carbon wheels and then optioned to have them painted! WHY!! With the rest of the exposed carbon on the car, why would they do that?? A new set is north of 10 grand Canadian, and I’m not sure if there’s any corvette owners looking to buy super expensive carbon wheels, because they would have done so when factory ordering. There is the off chance someone wanted them but purchased the car off the dealer lot, in that case they would probably go after market. Anyways I know it’s sacrilege to post a Chevy here but I want you to see the car and it’s bare carbon accents and the accents and wheels for some reason they decided to paint a blackish grey. Beyond frustrating lol. I would factory order but this example has 0% financing, can’t go wrong with that!!!
Most of the black trim on the exterior is carbon that’s been painted, and the painted wheels in question. They basically only left the side skirts visible carbon. SHAKE MY HEAD!!
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
I know many folks (companies) who can do it...either aviation or bicycle refinishers. I would go the bike route - a typical higher end carbon frame is $7,000 and many owners like them to get (properly) repainted. The aviation guys will be twice the price
