WTF is on my wheel & how do I remove it?

One wheel on the new to me car has some kind of coating on it. Looks like something someone used to knock the shine back a little on it. Like one layer of spray paint that was done without any prep besides cleaning the wheel. Underneath is still the smooth factory finish. 

I can scrape some parts off with my nail but others are stuck a little better. 

I want to soften it a little to aid in removal but I do not want to damage the factory finish underneath. 

Anyone have any suggestions?

Anyone know what this crap is? 

Im glad it's only on one wheel. 

plastidip

definitely looks like plasti dip.  When the layers are thin they can be a real pita to remove.  

Do you have a pressure washer?  That would be my first try.  

I am 100% positive it's not plasti dip. I've been dipping cars, bikes wheel whatever for years. It's some kind of transparent spray paint. Flakes off like a thin layer of spray paint on unprepped chrome.

I have no idea, but I would like to congratulate you on being the first person I have ever seen with hairier hands than me.

I think this means I have to pass the Chewbacca Award to you.

That aside, will powerwashing remove it?  Or maybe the really nasty wheel cleaner chemicals?

In reply to Knurled. :

I humbly accept your chewbacca award with great honor!

Wondering if oven cleaner will damaged the factory paint?

Maybe one of those "fancy" wheel paints they have at the parts store. They have various types that are supposed to go over a base coat or whatever. Maybe they didn't follow the directions and so it flakes off.

Like this stuff...I dunno there's dozens of possibilities, but this screams "didn't read instructions, sprayed it on one wheel, hated it, gave up, sold car":

https://www.autozone.com/paint-and-body/specialty-paint/duplicolor-shadow-chrome-black-out-coating-kit-2-piece/60047_0_0

Or this stuff: https://www.autozone.com/paint-and-body/specialty-paint/type-s-reflective-peelable-spray-paint-11oz/825224_0_0

Or maybe BBQ and stove paint (lol): https://www.autozone.com/paint-and-body/specialty-paint/rust-oleum-hi-heat-bbq-and-stove-paint-12oz/631973_0_0

I'd start with a can of brakekleen. 

It breaks down most uncatalyzed paints but won't harm the factory finish 

In reply to Jumper K Balls (Trent) :

Green can or red can?

Red!

Is it clear  coat that has broken down and now the surface is absorbing brake dust? 

In reply to pirate :

No its definitely some sort of shadow type coating. The factory surface underneath is immaculate.  The only reason is visible in the pictures is because I used my flash at night. During the day you have to look real close to even tell its there.

In reply to Nick Comstock :

Do NOT use oven cleaner. I tried that on some brake dust last year and it took all of the finish off the wheel, way too harsh. One thing that did help get some of the dust off was a small piece of plastic (like a store rewards card) and just used the edge as a scraper, it took forever but worked without scratching the wheel. No oven cleaner!

In reply to imgon :

10-4