Painting Wheels

absolutetintingabsolutetinting Wagonist
in Suspension, Braking & Wheels
i just bought some bmw bottle caps for my snow tires.

wanting them white, it cost $200.00 for powder coating.

im going to just paint them myself. i can't find white wheel/rim paint, only black and silver.

whats a good alternative brand/paint type?

krylon,duplo,vht.

ive seen post painting rim/wheel, but no brands.

thanks,
guys

Comments

  • NZ-DB8RNZ-DB8R Moderator
    Just use any paint you like of decent quality. Doesnt really matter
  • absolutetintingabsolutetinting Wagonist
    how about peeling/flaking.
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    You will want to scuff up the old finish and clean them very very well. You want to give the new coat of paint something to stick to and cleaning them with something to make sure there is no residue left on them. Also if multiple coats are going to be applied I usually give the first coat some time to set and dry before applying the next coat. I also apply the coats very lightly. It is time consuming but it seems to work for me.
  • NZ-DB8RNZ-DB8R Moderator
    absolutetinting wrote:
    how about peeling/flaking.

    Ive had a set of wheels painted before, colour matched to the car and it was just normal car paint.
    Did 10,000ks on them and only had a few stone chips which is going to happen no matter what paint you use.
  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    I've painted 3 sets of RT4WD rims with Krylon Fusion. I just sand them down as good as I can beforehand. It seems to be working for me so far. It also works on the centercaps as well. I do what ragin says.. light coats, and wait a little while between coats.
  • eh3eh3 New Wagonist
    Brand of paint doesn't matter. It's all in the prep. Depends on what you want to do. I did a set of Integra Mesh with Duplicolor. I stripped them down to bare metal with aircraft paint remover and cleaned them thoroughly before the primer went on. Paint in warm temps to avoid condensation build up. Take your time with light coats.
  • asnamasnasnamasn Wagonist
    I'm using krylon. Just like they said before just make sure to clean, sand very well, (I used primer) paint. Lots of coats then lots of clear coat! xD
  • absolutetintingabsolutetinting Wagonist
    thanks guys.

    i guess its all in the prep work.
  • asnamasnasnamasn Wagonist
    lol i was just thinking about that earlier. And don't try and strip them with paint stripper unless there is only like 1 or 2 coats of paint cause I tried that with the rims i got from wagon bob and found out they had 5 colors, turned our horrible cause i couldn't strip it down to bare metal lol. So i'm just sanding the rest.
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    Get good quality paint stripper. I have used some good paint stripper and stripped multiple layers of paint, and cheap stuff barely made the paint bubble.

    If the rims have never been painted before and are still on the original paint then just sand them down, making sure you get in all the corners and edges, and you should be fine.
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    Already stated- prep is everything. I sanded like a mutherfucker (or it seemed?).

    Here's a cool method if you've never heard... playing cards. Two decks worth. I've painted a few sets of wheels, and this was by far the best method for me so far.

    www.civicwagon.com

    www.civicwagon.com

    www.civicwagon.com

    www.civicwagon.com

    I'm pretty sure Billboard did a write up a long while ago with some good pics. Maybe in one of his threads.
  • CharbCharb Administrator
    ragenasian wrote:
    Get good quality paint stripper. I have used some good paint stripper and stripped multiple layers of paint, and cheap stuff barely made the paint bubble.

    Does this color the tires at all? Should this be done to take the finish off regardless? Mine is peeling...

    I'm gonna paint my teg wheels once I get my winter tires put on.
  • asnamasnasnamasn Wagonist
    I don't know if i'd use paint stripper on rims with tires on the rims cause that stuff burns hardcore when it gets on my skin and i'm guessing it wouldn't be to healthy for the tires haha. But if you were too I guess just make sure not to get it on the tire and to rinse the stuff off really well.
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    Charb1618 wrote:
    ragenasian wrote:
    Get good quality paint stripper. I have used some good paint stripper and stripped multiple layers of paint, and cheap stuff barely made the paint bubble.

    Does this color the tires at all? Should this be done to take the finish off regardless? Mine is peeling...

    I'm gonna paint my teg wheels once I get my winter tires put on.

    Use your card method for the paint stripper as well, just don't get carried away with the stuff. Paint stripper will eat through some stuff but stuff like zip strip works pretty quick and you can just wash it off. It usually only takes a few minutes for it to eat through the paint. Get some soapy water and a brush and rinse it off. I have never had any problems with it doing anything to any of my tires. I am about to do my BMW rims because the clear coat is peeling and you can believe I am not about to pay some jack ass 100 euros to remove, reinstall, and balance some tires (yes it is that expensive here).
  • MrWhoopeeMrWhoopee Wagonist
    Just remembered that brake fluid seems to do a great job of stripping paint and it's GOOD for rubber parts.
  • subli67subli67 Band Wagon
    powdercoat or bust
  • ragenasianragenasian Moderator
    subli67 wrote:
    powdercoat or bust

    Not everyone has the means or the funds. :roll:

    Plus if you have some beat up steelies that you just want to make decent why would you powdercoat and spend the money when spray paint is easy to get, and a hell of a lot easier to do (before you say it, I do have a powdercoating booth :wink: )?
  • fishinfool88fishinfool88 Band Wagon
    A bodyman I know told me to never use brake fluid to strip paint because it makes chemical changes in the metal.
  • RayRayRayRay Band Wagon
    looks like they turned out pretty well, ive painted a set of rims and to my surprise they came out very well and lasted, like its been stated before, prep, prep and more prep
  • afidarksideafidarkside Wagonist
    its all about proper paint preperation, wont be as great as powdercoating. I've painted my wheels myself and that was a year ago and there is still no flaking. I sanded 2 coats of primer, wetsand, 2 coats of rustoleum, then wetsand and 1 more coat. I'm satisfied
  • dirtydirtydirtydirty Wagonist
    if the wheels are raw I.E no tires on them have them sandblasted for prep
    otherwise just sand and clean
    as far as paint goes
    http://www.plastikote.com/products/Spec ... Paint.html
    then heat them with a space heater and cardboard box
    will most likely outlast the car
  • absolutetintingabsolutetinting Wagonist
    i haven't started to paint because of sema and contacting new leads from show.
    i've been reading the paint instruction and realized that its to cold to paint the wheels. my bad started to late.
    couple of days ago a friend called me and said the powder coater has been trying to reach me, he said the coater is making a batch of white and wants extra pieces to coat.
    blasted and powder coated for $100.00
    i said done.
    show pic. next week.
    thanks for all the advice boys, it will come handy.
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