Painting Rims

qgt_racing2000 · 05-02-2007

Hey guys,

I've got a set of rims that I was thinking of bringing into a shop for refinishing, but then I think I'm going to try painting them myself first just to see how it turns out. Hey, if I screw up, I'll just take em in! lol...

Has anyone tried this DIY? What kind of material should i use to sand them down with? After the paint coats, is there a special kind of clear coating that I can use to prevent paint chips?

Any feedback will be appreciated, thanks!

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Eyger · 05-02-2007

It really depends on what your starting with....for example:
I have a set of 18 inch Axis rims, they are painted at the manufacturer with a black paint, and then a clear coat over the entire thing for gloss. If the rims you bought are like that, you have a couple different choices...you can sand the surface with 100, then 220, and then wetsand with 300 to get a good smooth finish. Then just mask and spray away. If you use a rattle can for the paint, most likely you can just purchase a glossy color. Clear coats are always reccommended to produce more shine. The only real way to get a really nice job done, would be to paint it with your own HVLP paint gun and real automotive paint. (eg. Arcylic Laquer...etc.) I remember seeing a thread not too long back, about this one guy that painted his stock rims....maybe he'll chime in and give some input. What color are you going to paint them? Remember the darker the color you pick the more prominent the imprefections will show up.

shiftlessguy · 05-03-2007

I painted my stock rims with black epoxy paint.I didn't use any sand paper but I use scotchbrite pads mostly to get good adheason and clean them up.I put stainlessteel trim rings and made a center cap.As Honda doesn't make caps or the steelies.I went to the plumbing section at Menards and had the 1.5" end machined down so they press fit tight.Also I got some vynial caps which come in assorted colors.Which if you wanted you could change the color yellow,red and others.Here's a fair pic.The car was in the garage so the pic is poor but you get the idea

qgt_racing2000 · 05-03-2007

they are gunmetal now.. im thinking to go with a bronze-gold kinda color.. my car is silver... so ya... i think ill do it up soon

xschizx9 · 05-05-2007

I just did this on a set of MR7's I picked up for pretty much nothing...

sand them down.. I primed mine to get a uniform base, spray the color, do multiple coats so it doesn't run, spray clear, 2-3 coats, wet sand, and bam... silky smooth and clean.

qgt_racing2000 · 05-07-2007

i that the order you did it too??? if you wet sand after the paint and clear, wont it screw up the job??

or what is wet sand exactly??? i think someone needs to clarify that to me...

pon55 · 05-07-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by qgt_racing2000

i that the order you did it too??? if you wet sand after the paint and clear, wont it screw up the job??

or what is wet sand exactly??? i think someone needs to clarify that to me...

Wet sandpaper is used with water as a lubricant and carrier for the sanded particals. It usually gives a smoother and cleaner surface,widely used in bodyshops.
Most people use very fine grit when wetsanding ie: 600 to 1200.
(normally i never sand after the final clearcoat?)

qgt_racing2000 · 05-08-2007

oh thanks man.. you got one sick ride there.. ^^^

05SilvCivicLX · 05-14-2007

wetsanding after the clear coat helps get rid of any runs from the clear

sentbacktothesu · 11-06-2007

I just painted my stock 03 rims. just waiting to get tires for them.

ultimatetuner10 · 11-06-2007

OK here goes

1. unmount tires
2. use aircraft stripper, paint stripper, etc. to get them down to bare metal as or as close as possible
3. light sanding
4. coat of primer
5. sand with high grain (1200 works)
6. another coat of primer
7. wet sand with high grain (1200-1500)
8. wash
9. clean with alcohol...rubbing alcohol works
10. paint
rememember when painting, keep can approx 6-9 inches from the wheel and start spraying off the wheel...youll thank me. use light coats go over it once lightly, then let it dry, repeat...do this about 3-5 times until it is consistent color all over the wheel let it dry between 30 minutes and 2 hours between coats...see back of your can for details

use wheel paint. its good stuff, i get mine at advance auto parts for about 4 a can.

clearcoat, i do this by request (yes i paint wheels for people in my spare time), but there are solid ones, and ones with flake in them that i think look stupid but some like them...clearcoat spray it the same as paint but DONT sand it. clearcoat dries a bit quicker than paint the stuff I use dries in about 10-20 minutes but I let it sit for approx 30 just to be safe. any other questions, PM me or post em here...here is some of my work

my ICW wheels were in need of a refinish..finished product. unfortunately the incompetent assholes at the shop fuckewd the lip when they put the tires back on so the owner said the service was free

And my steelies..i didnt care much about them and didnt unmount the tires either. show your friends a new card trick

Prep is the MOST important part of this all. Im in philly if you are close to here I can do em with or for you. LMK...