Talk to me about painting wheels

[Bu11dogg2]

I want to strip and paint my wheels GunMetal.


What paint should I use? should I use a clear coat?

I have experience painting but not wheels....

[squeethebee]

Hey, I am about to do this soon to my rs 6 spokes, so someone answer the man!! I wanna learn too!

ed

[Murphy2012]

What are you doing to strip it? There are many different methods. What material are the wheels? Are you looking for a nice professional finish or something that can easily be re stripped to change colors often?

[Nate8409]

Just like painting anything else. Sand them to get a rough surface. Spray your color in a few coats. Let dry mostly than clear.

[Bu11dogg2]

I know that, I was concerned with using a standard paint because of heat.

[Murphy2012]

I suggest sandblasting them. Still didn't answer my question either. :)

[25rSTI]

got to pep boys them have wheel paint

[Bu11dogg2]

I suggest sandblasting them. Still didn't answer my question either. :) permanent :)

[Bu11dogg2]

I think i'm gonna do this soon... I just need to find a loaner set of wheels :lol:

[squeethebee]

Just sandblasted mine yesterday, getting tires mounted today, then painting after that, don't want new paint scratched up, you know?

ed

[squeethebee]

btw, I have white primer, white paint, and clear. Hopefully they come out good! Sandblasting was so much faster than sanding them all, but I am still gonna give them a quick sand before primer.

ed

[Bu11dogg2]

I have a 80gal compressor, I just need teh hand tool which i'll probably rent.

How much sand should I get for 5, 17" wheels?

[squeethebee]

I got a 50 pound bag for like 10 bucks, way more than needed, but I also own 4 sets of rims that I CAN paint at some point, lol. Also, I sprayed it into a huge (hood) box and swept it back up after, pretty sure I can re-use it.

ed

[kgj996]

If any one wants a nice paint job, I do custom painting and have access to a nice blast cabinet and a brand new downdraft booth. I have used duplicolor's wheel paint and have had really good results. I normally sandblast my wheels, prime with epoxy primer and then top coat with either spray can wheel paint or I use a more expensive base coat/ clear coat system. I always do all of the painting before tire mounting, because if you blast the wheel and can't paint every part that you blasted, you can run in to corrosion problems, and the adhession problems at the edge of your masking job.

[squeethebee]

^^Yeah, I kinda wish I mounted them after paint now, as it would be a lot easier for painting, but I did only blast the face of the wheel, so I shouldn't have corrosion problems.

I am using rattle can painting, and have been told to use 150 grit pre-primer, then after 2 coats of primer use 400 grit before painting 2 or 3 coats. Then of course clearing it for that blingin' shine! Does that sound ok? Any suggestions?

ed

[Bu11dogg2]

I'd use a 300 between the 150 and 400

[squeethebee]

you mean 1 primer coat, then 300, then more primer and sand with 400?

ed

[-=The Boss=-]

to the OP...fall on hard times?


powder coat them

[Jon]

I have a 80gal compressor, I just need teh hand tool which i'll probably rent.

How much sand should I get for 5, 17" wheels?

My dad found a sand blaster when he cleaned out the garage. Wanna try it? He never used it because his compressor wasn't up to the task. Hell, if it works, maybe we can do my new ones at the same time!

[method]

If any one wants a nice paint job, I do custom painting and have access to a nice blast cabinet and a brand new downdraft booth. I have used duplicolor's wheel paint and have had really good results. I normally sandblast my wheels, prime with epoxy primer and then top coat with either spray can wheel paint or I use a more expensive base coat/ clear coat system. I always do all of the painting before tire mounting, because if you blast the wheel and can't paint every part that you blasted, you can run in to corrosion problems, and the adhession problems at the edge of your masking job.

+1 KGJ does excellent work in the booth. He painted my hatch trim and it came out great!

[squeethebee]

yeah, that would be good to know!

ed

[kgj996]

^^^ It all depends on the paint and color you want to use. PM me what you are looking for and I can give you a good idea what it would cost.

I charge $50 to blast a set of wheels and prep them for paint, including working out any curb rash or other blemishes. The painting can run from an extra $50 to $500+, depending on the paint and color.

I have never seen someone use crazy expensive paint on wheels, so most I do are around $50-$60.

[08vtwrx]

For those who are painting their rims!!!!!!

When I painted my stockers I preped them by scuffing the factory finish with a scotch brite pad. What you want to do is leave no shine in the paint so make sure you get your knooks and cranies!!! After, clean the surface with alcohol or acetone. Once dry use duplicolor engine enamal or wheel paint and apply a light dusting. When thats dry lay down another light medium coat. After thats dry scotch brite the surface until dull like in the prep. Then wipe down with alcohol or acetone let dry and apply medium coat. Keep repeating this for about 2 more coats. The more coats the better!!!! Then If you want to clear them do this the same as if you where putting color on them (scotch brite, alcohol, dry, color/clear). I went through a rough VT winter with mine and look just as good as the day I painted them. Patience is the key!!!! The more time you take on them the better, and will look more professional. I had 40 bucks and my time invested. When I got my tires mounted the ppl there working asking where I bought them. I told them they're my stockers and and freshly painted. They asked where I got them painted and didnt believe me when I told them my room :lol: (Highly reccomend not doing!!!!). I'm not an expert I just learned at my work with priming zr1 corvette hoods and fenders lol.

[Subygirl8330]

Just so you know what it looks like.. I did a set of winter wheels in the Duplicolor graphite color a few years ago:

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w184/subygirl8330/c163fa74.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w184/subygirl8330/5052938d.jpg

[Bu11dogg2]

Just so you know what it looks like.. I did a set of winter wheels in the Duplicolor graphite color a few years ago:

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w184/subygirl8330/c163fa74.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w184/subygirl8330/5052938d.jpg

I love it :)

How well did it hold?

[RCKSTR]

Just so you know what it looks like.. I did a set of winter wheels in the Duplicolor graphite color a few years ago:

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w184/subygirl8330/c163fa74.jpg

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w184/subygirl8330/5052938d.jpg

thats the same paint that bigd_wright and I painted his prodrives a few months ago! so far so good IMO :) its all about the prep work and primer. didn't end up doing clear coat since that would only get ruined in the winter anyway IMO.

[subaru_crazy]

first you dismount your tires then bring them someware to get whole rim sandblasted i used stone house forge $60. then you buy duplicolor gunmetal grey wheel paint and clearcoat you paint them up real nice about 4 coats then clear coat 2coats them tireware house can remount your tires without scratching them it cost total with mount paint and blasting about $120 for me

[Joe]

Randy, once I get a set of winters we will have a painting party before the snow gets here. Audi wheels wont be treated any different :lol:

[RCKSTR]

did this ever happen? If so, post up some pics! if not... do it :spin: :lol: