painting rims

[kumar.]

what is the proper way to do it? what are the steps you guys have used?

[DareDevil]

The main thing is patience......don't go painting it then touching it soon after...you know what Im talking about...I do it too.

Helpful tools:

-Sanding disc attachment for Drill
-Fine sand disc {160 grit..They usually come Course, Medium and Fine labled right on the package..so you need not worry about the # of the Grit }
-Masking Tape {both wide and narrow}
-Primer [ if paint black then black primer..if white then wht prm if silver or grey then grey prmer.....no particular brand....the cheapest primer will do ]
-Paint [ whatever color you wish, ENGINE Paint would be a safer choice but not necessary. [ for this..get a known brand like duplicolor]
-Clear Coat [ get good brand like duplicolor or even Krylon...this is optional and depends on color you chose to paint rim ]

NOTE: The following instructions is based on how I painted my rims...I used Engine paint Black...NO clear coat because it came out glossy. If you attempt to paint your rims Silver...don't use Engine paint silver because it is to bright....you'll need a "Automotive Body Paint Shade of Silver" and then You WILL need to Clear Coat Rims :

INSTRUCTIONS

---Take wheels OFF of car obviously!
---Clean rims with "SPRAY NINE" cleaner/degreaser , front and back[found in supermarkets]
---Then clean with "AJAX" or any other sink/pot/pan powder cleaner
---Mask boarders not wanting to paint first with small tape then large areas with wide tape
---If painting entire rim then simply mask the tire only, best you can.
---Take sand disc with drill and "fine" disc and sand away the scratches on the Flat surfaces of rim
---Then sand rest of Flat surfaces even...feeling with hands for smoothness and even-ness
---Take another sand disc In your hand fold it in half and sand the rest of the rim to be painted
---Wipe dust off rims with damp cloth
---Lay rim flat on ground and Spray Primer...even strokes with can about 6" above rim"
---Have a piece of cloth handy and every so often; wipe excess paint from spray can nozzel
---Leave for about 15-20 minutes then apply another coat of Primer
---I painted the back of the spokes on the 17" Enkei's ALSO,so you can do same procedure for back
---Let dry for 20 minutes then put two coats of "YOUR COLOR" Paint at 20 minute intervals again
---IF Clear Coating...then follow same procedure as above with 20 minute intervals also.
---The Hard Part...Leave for 24 Hours before removing masking tape and Mounting on car
---For the record I left mine for Two days...only because I didn't have the Tuner lugs to mount it after the first day
--- If you mess up then leave it for at least two days to cure before trying to sand down again an paint errors.

[kumar.]

so do i need to sand the wheels down if the wheels are in good condition? or could i skip that and just use the paint stripper w/o sanding.. thanks on the info.. repped!

[ro106]

i added rep to indianguy89 cuz he makes good threads. rep him too!

[DareDevil]

so do i need to sand the wheels down if the wheels are in good condition? or could i skip that and just use the paint stripper w/o sanding.. thanks on the info.. repped!

Ehh...Sanding the wheels makes it easier for the primer to stick. You dont have to spend a crazy amount of time on sanding. Just to get it somewhat smooth.

Ive changed my wheel color 5 times this year, and everytime i've sanded them. And this last time i didnt, and the paint didnt stick as good, and didnt dry as fast. So i would deffinately suggest sanding. Just a few minutes on each wheel will do.

[Alswizzo]

this is good ish i have some gsr twisties and i wanted to paint them.

this just cleared up all my little question. nice write up.

repped.

[DareDevil]

Glad i could help.

[kumar.]

im gonna be painting the wheels bronze most probably.. so i use white primer correct?

[DareDevil]

im gonna be painting the wheels bronze most probably.. so i use white primer correct?

Right. Thats what i used when i painted mine gold.

[kumar.]

and last but not least... i should be able to find all the supplies i.e. paint, primer, clearcoat at advance auto parts or somethin right? thanks for bein soo helpful man

[DareDevil]

Yes you can find the parts all at Advanced Auto.

[COPPERTOP5150]

not to sound like a ass...

I would not use the duplicolor or clear from auto zone...
(its cheap and ok for a few months but not the long term results you want)

you need to use real automotive paint..
goto finishmater pick out the color you want...
for base with reducer then clear coat and activator..
automotive paints have activators and hardening agents to make the paint stay with out peeling or flaking off..
it will look much more professional..

if you do not have a spray gun and a compressor...

most paint shops will mix whatthey call a " shaker can paint match"
they will put automotive quality paint into a can and you can buy automotive clear...it has plastic sprayers desighned to replicate a auctual spray gun...
20oz can of paint base will be around 20$ then 20$ for automotive clear in a can...

but as far as the prep and advice daredevils looks real good...
except just whiping it before you prime it..
i would take the tires off the rim.. or atleast deflat them so they will be back a ways from the rim that way you can do a better tape off job and be sure to get a nice coat of paint on the outside edge of the rim
i would take a cloth put alittle acetone on it use it to clean the wheel before you prime it also..acetone or alchohol dries and will remove any grease from your fingers that may have gotten on the wheel while you were sanding and handling the wheel...(fingerprints have oils that can cuase the primer not to stick)..
also use a self etching prime it should bond better to the alloy wheel...

now i'm only telling you this extra stuff if you want to do it one time and leave it alone...but if your gonna change your wheel color everyfew months then go with the cheaper stuff

i did a set of porsche phone dials a few months ago... I charged the guy 400$ (or 100$) a wheel..he wanted them color matched to his 944... they turned out awsome...I prefer the metal alloy look but he wanted them flake silver...if you take them to a shop expect to pay around 100$ + per wheel..

[DareDevil]

How do you paint the back of the rim?

Huh? You just do.

You have to take the wheel off the car. So you just paint the back of it.

[ro106]

Huh? You just do.

You have to take the wheel off the car. So you just paint the back of it.

yeah i felt stupid after i typed that.

[DareDevil]

:lol:...Its all good man.

[ro106]

I was thinking you paint the rim when its flat on the ground...i guess not.

[DareDevil]

I was thinking you paint the rim when its flat on the ground...i guess not.

Ya you can. But then to do the back, just make sure the front is fully dry befor you lay it down. Or you could just stand it up. Either way works.

[casanova1514]

quick? thanks for the help also daredevil i have herd that u can sand down oem si's and polsih them is this tru if so please help i have some that have light clear damage and i want to fix them i have a total of six si's and what to see how they come out please help with info on that also herd to just use paint striper and polish thanks guys

[DareDevil]

quick? thanks for the help also daredevil i have herd that u can sand down oem si's and polsih them is this tru if so please help i have some that have light clear damage and i want to fix them i have a total of six si's and what to see how they come out please help with info on that also herd to just use paint striper and polish thanks guys

Sure you can polish them...

You can use aircraft stripper to get the clear off. (You can buy this at Autozone)
Then use a fine grit sandpaper to sand it down. And when i say sand, i mean sand until your hands hurt. Youe want it nice and smooth.

Then just use like, Mothers brand polish or some other polish. Polish the same way, until your hands hurt. If you search Honda-Tech.com, there are some examples of this i believe.

[COPPERTOP5150]

you can polish untill your hands hurt... or buy a 4inch polishing wheel.. for the rims face .. and a polishing ball for getting inside the groves...
no fancey tools required they fit right into a drill...
their usually only like 5 bucks each...

mothers is a great aluminum polish..
after you polish them you can clean well then reclear and it will save you from having to repolish every few months...