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Removing the red and blue stripes on black wheels

I did what a lot of Jeep owners do. I purchased some black steelies because one they are cheap and two who cares if we dent them because they are cheep. After a few weeks I decided I really didn't like the red and blue stripe that was painted on the outer edge of the rim, but hey thats the breaks so I'll live with it.

An odd thing happend. I was watching my wife remove finger nail polish from her nails using finger nail polish remover. Ive heard a few times from others that it works on removing the red/blue stripe so I sneaked the bottle outside while she wasn't looking. I spent an hour outside and snuck the bottle back inside. I only attempted to remove the stripes from one wheel not knowing exactly what it does to the finish and that was last year. Afer a year passed and a few wheeling trips Ive come to the conclusion that the finger nail polish doesn't hurt the paint below the red and blue stripes.

Tools: Time:
Rags
Finger nail polish remover		 Aprox 5-10 minutes per wheel

The method used below worked on my black wheels. I purchased my wheels from Discount tire and they go by the name of Unique. Ive been told they are the same exact wheel that American Racing and Cragar sells, however I do not know for sure. Make sure you wear gloves because an extended amount of exposure to finger nail polish could enter your fingers via cuts and simply soak into your hand making you sick. Ive never been sick from finger nail polish, but then again who knows in 10 years. If you have any questions or comments about this install visit

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The dreaded blue and red stipe we all love to hate.
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Insert your pointer finger into a shop rag and rap it so it doesn't slip off. Next soak the rag with a generous amount of nail polish remover. I choose lemon flavor because well it was cheap and it smells better than plain.
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With the soaked rag rub an area aproximately 1.5 to 2 inches.
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Use the same 1.5 to 2 inches method all the way around the wheel.
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Check your rag often and use the same rag but keep moving around on the rag because as you can tell from the above picture it will cake up with blue and red paint.
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This is all that is left. It took me roughly 20minutes to do this wheel. The finger nail polish will evaporate so make sure you soak it good. As well soaking your rag good and doing the 1.5 to 2 inches will give the paint a chance to soak up and break down faster.
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Heres the finshed product. After all paint stripes are removed re-soak your rag and give the entire wheel a once more whipe down just incase your smeared the paint and missed a spot or two.
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Close up of the outer edge. Black has never looked so good.
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You will have to leave one spot undone. Its the area around your tire weights. After your next tire balance the weight will be moved and you can finish up.