Painting Wheels

[HyperGSX]

i am planning on painting my gsx wheels but i was wondering how long they will last with spray paint from the auto store? i want them to look nice for as long as possible without redoing it all the time.

 

[EclipseTrbo420A]

Depends on how you do it really... Like if you dont follow the temp directions or anything like that soo do this

1.) Take em off , clean em really good
2.) sand with fine grit sand paper
3.) wash and dry completly clean
4.) ( optional ) tape of your lip if you leaving it what ever color
5.) Go where no dust or shit will fall on the primer you about to put on.
6.) spray an even coat of primer on and then follow the directions on how long to let dry before you put a second coat on.
7.) second coat of primer and they let dry as before
8.) ( thin coats is key here , dont load the paint on in big spray globs . hold like 12 inches away and mist it over ) spray what ever color you want em on and then follow the directions on how long to let dry before you put a second coat on.
9.) when time is up do a second coat and soo on for 3 or 4 coats
10.) when the last coat is dried clear coat it ...let dry for time told.
11.) second coat of clear coat them just let them sit till next morning
12.) take the tape of next morning carefully maybe even use a razor blade to follow the edge of the tape all the way around.
13.) clear coat again twice when you take the tape off so its al blended together over the whole wheel and let dry again for like 4 hours then throw em on a get some pics up.

that should hold you for a long time. Use dupli-color wheels paint , primer and clear coat. anything else just ask

 

[MackZ24]

Those are some excellent instructions posted by EclipseTrbo420A, and I highly recommend following them closely if you decide to spray them yourself. The only thing I would add to his post is that it would be a good idea to do your sanding in steps if you want a very nice finish. Start with a lower grit and make your way up (which can be said for painting almost anything), and also to back up the importance of spraying in thin coats.

On another note, if you are really looking for a durable finish, it might be wise to investigate the powdercoating options in your area. Powdercoating is generally very durable if done correctly (I would say more-so than regular spray paint). The only thing I'm unsure of is whether or not you can also have clearcoat done through the powdercoating process. If not, then some very fine wetsanding of the powdercoated rims and a spray can of clear should work well. (I've only ever done my powdercoating in an industrial sized powdercoating machine and oven, where they send things 36' long x 6' wide through and don't do any clearcoating, although it's not always necessary.)

 

[chefcg1]

All very good instructions, I did mine 2 years ago and they have held up fine, the only chips I have ever gotten were done when the idiots at the tire place put new rubber on and when they aligned my wheels. Those small chips are easily fixed with a little patients and doing some touch up painting. I did mine metallic black and I love them.

 

[dsmmyth]

Depends on how you do it really... Like if you dont follow the temp directions or anything like that soo do this

1.) Take em off , clean em really good
2.) sand with fine grit sand paper
3.) wash and dry completly clean
4.) ( optional ) tape of your lip if you leaving it what ever color
5.) Go where no dust or shit will fall on the primer you about to put on.
6.) spray an even coat of primer on and then follow the directions on how long to let dry before you put a second coat on.
7.) second coat of primer and they let dry as before
8.) ( thin coats is key here , dont load the paint on in big spray globs . hold like 12 inches away and mist it over ) spray what ever color you want em on and then follow the directions on how long to let dry before you put a second coat on.
9.) when time is up do a second coat and soo on for 3 or 4 coats
10.) when the last coat is dried clear coat it ...let dry for time told.
11.) second coat of clear coat them just let them sit till next morning
12.) take the tape of next morning carefully maybe even use a razor blade to follow the edge of the tape all the way around.
13.) clear coat again twice when you take the tape off so its al blended together over the whole wheel and let dry again for like 4 hours then throw em on a get some pics up.

that should hold you for a long time. Use dupli-color wheels paint , primer and clear coat. anything else just ask

Good directions, Matt. However if you want the polished lip you will have to strip it (the whole wheel) with either "metal stripper" or "aircraft stripper", then start at #2.

But, if you just want to paint over the original paint with another solid color, those directions will work fine.

 

[HyperGSX]

what if i strip it down, and then i mess up during painting? am i screwed....?

 

[dsmmyth]

what if i strip it down, and then i mess up during painting? am i screwed....?

No, you can just strip the paint down again and start over. But you won't get your stock paint back if that's what you're asking.