Painted rims

[nathanwells Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close nathanwells]

2 pac paint or powdercoat

Hi all i was wondering if anyone has any experience with painting or powdercoating rims,, i want to get my standard prado rims blackened,, anyone got any advice, tips or photos,, cheers

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

The paint I used was White Knight Squirts readily available from Bunnings in metallic charcoal with a clear gloss top and prepped with etch prime. http://www.whiteknightpaints.com.au/...ative/squirts/

Process, I painted a spare set of rims so they had no tyres fitted.

Step 1 – give the wheel a good wash with hot soapy water
Step 2 – use 800 wet & dry sandpaper to key the surface
Step 3 – ensure the wheel is totally free of scratches/dents, if not keep sanding
Step 4 – give the wheel a good wash with hot soapy water
Step 5 – mask up the wheel as appropriate, if you have a tyre you’ll need to mask up the tyre
Step 6 – clean the wheel with prepsol or wax/grease remover, keep fingers off the cleaned surface
Step 7 – lightly cover the wheel with primer, I used etch prime as I have some bare alloy
Step 8 – wait 1 hour then lightly cover with a colour coat
Step 9 – wait 24 hours and inspect, any drips or marks lightly sand with 800
Step 10 – spray another colour coat, this is the last colour coat so make sure no runs
Step 11 – wait 1 hour then apply a coat of clear gloss, make sure if you use enamel colour use enamel gloss
Step 12 – wait 24 hours then apply another coat of clear gloss
Step 13 – wait 48 hours then take of the masking
Step 14 – marvel at your handiwork

I bought a 2nd set of centre caps and painted them also with the same method after I keyed them with a scotch pad.

I also found painting in the shade with an ambient temp of 20-22 was the best.

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Great result

[nathanwells Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close nathanwells]

Thanks d4d they look sick,, i will give that a try when i get the chance,, good detailed instructions.

[Rodolinski Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rodolinski]

[QUOTE=D4D;372395]The paint I used was White Knight Squirts readily available from Bunnings in metallic charcoal with a clear gloss top and prepped with etch prime.

Hey D4D,
Great look - I have been working up the courage to do this to mine for a while but been a little tentative as I was not sure how they'd look. You have allayed my fears.

I would prefer to paint the whole rim like you have but was also thinking about tyre fitters and their use of weights.

I note you have weights on the outside of your rims. Have you had them rebalanced after the initial fit & balance & if so did they require a touch up? (the rims not the tyre fitters)

I was contemplating leaving the outer lip so that when balancing if the tyre fitters needed to attach weights to the front face the weights could possibly be relocated without damaging the face paintwork. (problem then is that the colour coded look would be compromised).

Thoughts/experience?

Cheers.
Rod

[JGill Member Find all posts View Profile Close JGill]

Mine were sandblasted, primed and then painted with satin black enamel with hardener in it.
Couldn't tell you the exact process because the old man did it for me but I'm very happy with the result.
Cheers, Josh

[Rodolinski Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rodolinski]

Hardener ... Thanks Josh :-)

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

I would prefer to paint the whole rim like you have but was also thinking about tyre fitters and their use of weights.

I note you have weights on the outside of your rims. Have you had them rebalanced after the initial fit & balance & if so did they require a touch up? (the rims not the tyre fitters)

I am yet to get the tyres rebalanced, if the paint comes off I'll give it a quick touch up.

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

Why not get stick-on weights? Give a much cleaner look...

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

I prefer the balance from clip on as you end up using less weight due to the weights being on the edge of the rim.

[Torrie 72 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Torrie 72]

I painted my 80 series rims which are my fun set with metallic black and two pack clear. I'm happy with the result. The only problem is by the time I've driven down the end of the dirt road I live on they just look plain black

Ps. Remember to clearcoat the inside of the rim first then the outside - otherwise you'll end up with a dull dusty finish on the outside that you will need to polish.

Cheers, Ben.