4RunnerCali
New member
Hey everyone. I meant to post these pics up a while ago but I just got busy with life. You know how it goes.
I took photos and did a how-to for painting your wheels.
First thing is first. Get some wheels. You can either paint them with tires on or tires off. You will do a better job with tires off but you can still do a good job with tires on. Just make sure to TAPE up and cover your tires very well.
Items you will need:
1) High heat paint (engine paint works good)
2) Self etching primer
3) Wire brush
4) One or two good spray degreasers to get the gunk off of your wheels
5) Pair of dykes (to remove the valve stem)
6) Rags and paper towels will come in handy
7) A water hose handy
8) Gloves
9) Fine grit sand paper 300 grit or more
Cut off that valve stem. Make sure to use the rag when pulling with the dykes, as not to damage the rim. If you just use leverage WITH THE RAG in place and pull down towards you, they will pop right off. Old tire guy trick I remembered.
Get your cleaners out and start spraying. Make sure to clean it up really good because you are going to have to rinse it with water and let the wheels dry.
If you have the tires off, and to get in between the cracks, use a wire brush.
Painting items you will need: Sand Paper, to sand down any clear coat off of the wheels, primer and paint. These brand were local to me, so that is why I used them.
Start priming your wheels. I did three, even coats of self-etching primer. Let it completely dry in between coats. This also allows you to really see what areas you missed.
Get to point of the wheels being done and let them dry really good.
Start applying the black high temp paint evenly, letting each coat dry completely before applying the next. I did three coats as well.
I had ordered TRD stickers and applied them myself (thanks to another poster in the forums for Dirt Buster Build: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/84811-98-sr5-dirt-duster-build-7.html - as this was my inspiration. But I also remembered that these were stickers. So I ran to AutoZone and got some clear coat. I did three coats of clear coat too, make sure that those stickers stay on there.
(I ended up NOT USING the red spray paint) and instead opted for some model paint I bought at a hobby shop. It was much easier too apply. Then I bought my friend dinner because he is a painter and has a much steadier hand than me to do the center cap. This is the final result. Whole thing took one full day.
To people thinking about doing this, it was VERY EASY. I never painted wheels before in my life. I am good with spray paint from my graffiti art days, but that is about it. I read the forums and just did it myself, taking every precaution along the way. Cleaned the wheels super good, even coats of primer, paint and clear coat and make sure you have little wind. And if you are doing it in your garage or workshop, wear a mask.
I will post pics when I save up money to get the tires and put them on.
I took photos and did a how-to for painting your wheels.
First thing is first. Get some wheels. You can either paint them with tires on or tires off. You will do a better job with tires off but you can still do a good job with tires on. Just make sure to TAPE up and cover your tires very well.
Items you will need:
1) High heat paint (engine paint works good)
2) Self etching primer
3) Wire brush
4) One or two good spray degreasers to get the gunk off of your wheels
5) Pair of dykes (to remove the valve stem)
6) Rags and paper towels will come in handy
7) A water hose handy
8) Gloves
9) Fine grit sand paper 300 grit or more
Cut off that valve stem. Make sure to use the rag when pulling with the dykes, as not to damage the rim. If you just use leverage WITH THE RAG in place and pull down towards you, they will pop right off. Old tire guy trick I remembered.
Get your cleaners out and start spraying. Make sure to clean it up really good because you are going to have to rinse it with water and let the wheels dry.
If you have the tires off, and to get in between the cracks, use a wire brush.
Painting items you will need: Sand Paper, to sand down any clear coat off of the wheels, primer and paint. These brand were local to me, so that is why I used them.
Start priming your wheels. I did three, even coats of self-etching primer. Let it completely dry in between coats. This also allows you to really see what areas you missed.
Get to point of the wheels being done and let them dry really good.
Start applying the black high temp paint evenly, letting each coat dry completely before applying the next. I did three coats as well.
I had ordered TRD stickers and applied them myself (thanks to another poster in the forums for Dirt Buster Build: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/84811-98-sr5-dirt-duster-build-7.html - as this was my inspiration. But I also remembered that these were stickers. So I ran to AutoZone and got some clear coat. I did three coats of clear coat too, make sure that those stickers stay on there.
(I ended up NOT USING the red spray paint) and instead opted for some model paint I bought at a hobby shop. It was much easier too apply. Then I bought my friend dinner because he is a painter and has a much steadier hand than me to do the center cap. This is the final result. Whole thing took one full day.
To people thinking about doing this, it was VERY EASY. I never painted wheels before in my life. I am good with spray paint from my graffiti art days, but that is about it. I read the forums and just did it myself, taking every precaution along the way. Cleaned the wheels super good, even coats of primer, paint and clear coat and make sure you have little wind. And if you are doing it in your garage or workshop, wear a mask.
I will post pics when I save up money to get the tires and put them on.
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