I'm at a bit of a loss. I need to restore a couple of these (may as well do them all, in the end, just in case), and I don't know what to do about it.

The clear coat has faded and crazed on two of them.

There is a very fine surface texture spun onto on the wheel face, which gives them a subtle shine. I don't know how to strip and prep the wheels without damaging the finish.

I could have them all blasted and coated any time I want, but that would destroy the finish. Many stripping solvents may damage it as well. Nearly all common refurbishment methods would certainly damage the texture.

I'm hesitant to hand them over to be refurbished professionally for the same reasons. That texture is so darned subtle, I'm afraid to touch it without advice.

Has anyone done this successfully?

 

Try some oven cleaner...yes I said "oven cleaner". It's caustic and strips away the clear quite nicely.

 

I have a 95 xjs and my wheels are very bad. The clear coat on the wheels has significant crazing. Check youtube. I came across quite a few videos awhile back where they were using airplane paint remover, which I found at the local car parts store. Ya paint it on, let it do it's thing and then scrape it off with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon and then finally rinse it off with the hose out on the driveway. I've been working up the courage to do it as it's $189/tire to have them done locally.

 

Paint remover works as well. The only advice I have is to not let either remain on the wheels for more than a very few minutes. These materials are extremely caustic and will ruin your wheels very quickly. Brush or spray the stuff on scrape away the finish and WASH COMPLETELY IMMEDIATELY. This stuff is strong. I refinished my wheels using oven cleaner and the Duplicolor wheel paint and my wheels came out very nice.

Good luck!