Question about painting rims...

[SHOpride]

Well I was interested in puting together a How-To on painting rims, but I realy wanted to make sure i did it right. I am starting with this rim here...

I plan on sanding it down to the metal, but as far as paint im unsure on what steps to take to make it stick well. These are my extra set of rims so i don't have much of a desire to pay and have them powder coated. I have heard that engine paint works well, but does not have much of a gloss to it, any input? Thanx for any help!

 

[ShoGuy93]

I was wondering the same thing. I have a spare set of slicers laying aroud that I was going to paint or get powder coated gun metal for my red 95. But i wouldn't mind just painting them and saving the money. If any body has any tips please post! But i do know prep work is the key! And take your time!

Thanks

 

[OSU 4 SHO]

I just did this on my spare set of slicers, but I only did it on one to see how I liked it.

I used an orange cleaner to degrease the wheels, then I scratched it all up with a course brillow pad. I got all the clear coat off, and alot of paint, not all, the rim was still silver, but it was not smooth anymore. I then washed it again and dried it.

I used Duplicolor's Wheel Coating in Graphite. It is a spray can that works very well. I applied 4 coats in different dirrections about every half hour. I then waited about 1 hour and applied three coats of Duplicolor's Clear coat, one every half hour. Let it dry overnight and then put the tire back on. I was stupid and took the tire off, wasted $10. Dont do it. You can just paint with the tire on.

It looks really good for what it is. I just think my blue is a shade too light for the graphite wheels. It I had a 93 blue, I would deff make all the wheels graphite. We will see if I do the rest, or what, I am going to drive around for a day or two and see how I like it. Best of luck. Oh the paint cans are $5 each, I got mine at Advance Auto.

 

[Ishodu]

I used this.

And turned out like this.

I just sanded the rims down until they were dull. Then 2 coats of paint. Then 2 coats of clear coat.
You can also get the same paint in different colors.

 

[MI-SHOFEAR]

I also used the Duplicolor Graphite paint. It looks really good and was really easy. I sanded mine hard thought because i had scuffing around the edges along with pealing. I started with 200grit and worked finer until i got to 600grit. I didnt use primer, I applied about 4 coats of the Graphite and DID NOT use the clear. I loved the way it looked without it. The clear hid some of the flake and made them look darker. It was the best cosm. change i have made to the SHO. Check my webpage http://www.cardomain.com/id/mi_shofear And i also did not remove the tires, just taped them off.

GOOD LUCK, ITS EASY

JEFF

 

[DDakRT]

The duplicolour is super easy. I got the clear off, the cleaned with Simple Green, masked everything off, sprayed 3 layers of graphit, and 2 layers of clear.

One thing I don't know is how long before you should put it back on, I was still on my Summer 17" wheels when I did it.

Here's a couple of pics from my SHOcicle thread.

 

[greenbeanmtx]

I like how all of us green sho guys chime in for this one hehe............ I did the exact same process for mine and it worked great and flawless.......... i had the exact same question related to curing time and contacted duplicolor and they said that in optimum conditions it takes 5 days to cure to a hard finish and if its not perfect out it can take up to 7 days........... i let mine sit for a day and put them back on and drove it but was careful........ i could dig my fingernail into it until about the 4th day and then it got good and rock hard......... they also said that it will take longer to cure if you put more clear on it....... The paint itself dries quickly, its the clear that takes so long............ None the less mine still look as good as the day i did it which was back in august and i like it because i no longer see the brake dust....... well i do but not as obvious as before

 

[SHOpride]

So is there no need to take all the paint off, just the clear coat?

 

[Ishodu]

So is there no need to take all the paint off, just the clear coat?

Thats right seemed to work for me.

 

[the on going reality of shopower]

I think I may get it to the paint can myself
I keep seeing these rims

 

[ShoGuy93]

I know what i'm going to start tommorow!

 

[cloudAustin]

I just did mine in black. Used BBQ black paint and three coats of Duplicolor. Let em sit in the garage for a few days and it stuck...GOOD!