Painting rims

I haven't really seen any info on here apart from a few mentions in build threads, so I thought I'd try and be helpful by putting this up. Let me know if I've done anything wrong or I have missed anything.

Make sure you have enough materials before you start because, unless you have another set wheels on car, you wheel be unable to get to the shops... For obvious reasons
You will need
-degreaser
-320grit sandpaper
-primer
-paint
-masking tape and newspaper (if you have tyres on already) or index cards
-an old towel
-600grit sandpaper.

1.Cleaning.
You will need to prep the wheels, I gave the wheels a good coating with degreaser, and then hosed it off and have them a soapy wash down. Then dry with the towel. I did them one at a time so that way, when I was finished cleaning the last wheel, the first was completely dry.

2. Sanding.
This is the worst bit, sand down the wheel with your 320 grit sandpaper so that the primer can easily adhere to the rim. If you have a basic design this won't be too painful. Make sure you sand the entire rim and get any gunk off that is stuck on there.



3.Primer
Before you coat the primer, use bog/filler to filler in any chunks missing from the rim. And then sand it down to be even with the rest of the rim, the primer will take care of any small scratches you may have. Now wipe of all the grit from the sanding. Apply a nice even coat of primer to the front and rear of the wheel. I only did 2 coats of primer, about 30 mins between each coat but it was a sunny day so more time may be needed to let it dry. If you get any runs, sand them back and reapply primer as needed.



4.Painting
After the primer has completely dried, an hour in the sun should do it, you can start painting. I used a Matt black engine enamel, I have heard of others using all different kinds from basic spray paint to duplicolour mag wheel paint but all results seem to vary just from the prep work so any should do. The key to a nice coat is applying thin layers to avoid any paint runs, it won't start looking decent until about the 3rd or 4th coats. Leave about 30 mins in the sun between each coat. After you are satisfied with coat leave it for a few hours to dry. I did about 6 all up.



5. Wet sand
I didn't do this as I wanted a roughish finish, but if you are going for a smooth glossy result, soak some 600 grit sandpaper in some water for about 10 mins, and then go to town on the rim, it should be a noticeable difference between where you have and haven't sanded.

6.Clear coat
Again, I didn't do this as I wanted a matt finish. But a clear coat will help the paint works life span. Do a few coats 60 mins apart, and then wet sand again when dry.

Now pull off the tape and your done. Hopefully this covers everything.

Enjoy your refurbished mags!

i realise these photos are a bit of an anti-climax cause my camera died and the car needs to be lowered drastically. but you get the idea. will update photos later

Did you use an alloy primer? If not expect that paint to lift in the next few thousand kms.

The can said it was suitable for alloys. So yes

I use an 'esp' primer for ally. It etches as it primes. ally is a pretty hard thing to paint.

I see. Well, if they start to flake in a few thousand, I'll look into that. Cheers

I'm about to have a go at my EBGT rims, if I ever find the colour, had the buckles and gutter rash fixed. From what I've read, I need an etch primer for any bare alloy then normal primer over that.

Heres a pic of my mates (KEV5.0) latest effort, I think the chrome nuts and center set them off well.

was it pricey getting them repaired ?

$260, so not too bad. Then another $100 to get them blasted. Pick them up tomorrow then I'm painting them myself in HSV Capri Silver!.....Its as close as I could get.

Like new again.

That looks superb.....Love it.

Thanks mate, gotta say I'm pretty happy with the "HSV Capri Silver" rims.

3000kms and still no flaking/peeling of any kind

 

 

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