Re-finished my wheels
#1
Re-finished my wheels
Have had a couple people ask me how I re-finished/painted my wheels so I thought I would do a quick write up. It took me at least 8 hours to complete this so plan accordingly (I think it was about 10 hours). Prep work is VERY VERY important in making the paint stick.
Supplies needed:
Automotive tape
Paint stripper (3 cans) - can't remember the brand
Dupli-color multi purpose Primer (3 cans)
Dupli-color wheel spray (4 cans
Rustoleum clear coat spray (2-3 cans)
Sand paper (I used 80, 180, 320, and 600)
Paint scraper
Steel Wool
First I washed the wheels and here is what they looked like before I started doing anything:
Then I taped off the tires and used my garage floor as the working area (covered in newspaper)
After taping them off I started paint stripping the wheels. I just used spray paint stripper and scraped off the paint using a paint scraper and sand paper, you need to do this several times since each time you only get a layer of paint off. Also, make sure to sand down all the imperfections you can, my wheels had many chips and a tiny bit of curb rash and I was able to sand it down smooth since I had no deep scratches. Here are some pics after a few coats of paint stripper (I think I did 1 or 2 more after this):
After the paint stripper I used sand paper and then steel wool to make a nice smooth surface for the primer. You can degrease the wheels if you want, but you should not need to. I then put 3 coats of primer, I generally put a medium coat first and then 2 light ones. If it's your first time I would recommend putting a light coat first so you don't have runs. Here are a few pics of the wheels after a couple coats of primer:
After this you can paint the wheels, I used Dupli-color Gunmetal wheel spray and it came out excellent. I used almost 4 cans on the wheels, about 3 coats total with two of them being medium coats and one being light.
I then clear coated the wheels using spray clear by rustoleum, I did 3 coats, 2 being light and 1 being medium.
Here are pics of the finished product, I have gotten nothing but compliments:
Make sure to let the paint dry completely and cure for awhile before mounting them on your car, feel free to pm me any questions.
Supplies needed:
Automotive tape
Paint stripper (3 cans) - can't remember the brand
Dupli-color multi purpose Primer (3 cans)
Dupli-color wheel spray (4 cans
Rustoleum clear coat spray (2-3 cans)
Sand paper (I used 80, 180, 320, and 600)
Paint scraper
Steel Wool
First I washed the wheels and here is what they looked like before I started doing anything:
Then I taped off the tires and used my garage floor as the working area (covered in newspaper)
After taping them off I started paint stripping the wheels. I just used spray paint stripper and scraped off the paint using a paint scraper and sand paper, you need to do this several times since each time you only get a layer of paint off. Also, make sure to sand down all the imperfections you can, my wheels had many chips and a tiny bit of curb rash and I was able to sand it down smooth since I had no deep scratches. Here are some pics after a few coats of paint stripper (I think I did 1 or 2 more after this):
After the paint stripper I used sand paper and then steel wool to make a nice smooth surface for the primer. You can degrease the wheels if you want, but you should not need to. I then put 3 coats of primer, I generally put a medium coat first and then 2 light ones. If it's your first time I would recommend putting a light coat first so you don't have runs. Here are a few pics of the wheels after a couple coats of primer:
After this you can paint the wheels, I used Dupli-color Gunmetal wheel spray and it came out excellent. I used almost 4 cans on the wheels, about 3 coats total with two of them being medium coats and one being light.
I then clear coated the wheels using spray clear by rustoleum, I did 3 coats, 2 being light and 1 being medium.
Here are pics of the finished product, I have gotten nothing but compliments:
Make sure to let the paint dry completely and cure for awhile before mounting them on your car, feel free to pm me any questions.
#3
Yeah those look much better than some of the self-paint wheels I've seen. I guess all the prep work is what makes the difference.
What would you suggest as a clear-coat substitute for protecting the paint if you want a a matte black look?
What would you suggest as a clear-coat substitute for protecting the paint if you want a a matte black look?
#5
thanks for the compliments
GT NFR - I noticed at Home Depot there was a Rustoleum clear coat for a MATTE finish, mine was gloss. If they don't have the matte clear coat close to you I would just do 6-7 coats of your paint, although the last time I didn't use clear coat my wheel chipped after some time (but then again I did no where near the prep work I did for these so that could be why).
GT NFR - I noticed at Home Depot there was a Rustoleum clear coat for a MATTE finish, mine was gloss. If they don't have the matte clear coat close to you I would just do 6-7 coats of your paint, although the last time I didn't use clear coat my wheel chipped after some time (but then again I did no where near the prep work I did for these so that could be why).
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post