I'm working on doing a resto job on an old Kuwahara freestyle BMX. I am sandblasting the frame/forks and whatnot. But my question is this.

It has a mag 5 spoke wheel on the front that someone has pained....badly. I want to strip it down and leave it natural. What is the best way to strip the paint off? I'm not sure how sensitive to chemicals magnesium is. I have tone of laquer thinner at my disposal....good idea?

thanks in advance
Joe

I'll take a shot that you a have a Webco Mag wheel. DO NOT use paint stripper on it!

email me some pics of what the paint looks like & I'll try to help you from there.
As a note, that is a VERY collectable BMX wheel, and I'd like to help you get it in top shape.

The only bike that I've ever had stolen & never recovered was an FMF frame with Webco Mags, painted candy blue.

It says Lester on it....

what would happen with paint stripper? I seem to remember something about magnesium smearing with solvent based strippers, but I'm a little foggy on the subject

some pics of the wheel

Try vintagebmx.com and click on their "Tech & Resto." forum. Quite a bit of information on restoration issues that one might confront with a bmx bike. Oh, and keeping in mind that I'm no expert on sand blasting, but I understand blasting with actual sand to be a little harsh. Other media might be better. Something worth considering.