Official Wheel Paint Thread

[xcmountain80]

Can we get a then and now post from everyone who originally posted on this thread? I think it will really give us a perspective of what technique held up so far for those inerested in going forward such as myself :bluejump:

You can almost bet the more professional auto spray technicque will be on par with powder coating. Rattle cans will come in next as they dont typically last more than 3 years... you lose the sheen and luster and may start to get powdery.

A

 

[KHoffRunner]

I'm preparing to paint mine so should I use a layer of clear coat or not?

 

[4Running Daily]

I'm preparing to paint mine so should I use a layer of clear coat or not?

I would. I used clearcoat on mine and chipped the SH!T out of them on many trails. You just sand a little and then touch up.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I'm preparing to paint mine so should I use a layer of clear coat or not?

I used 3 or 4 coats of clear on mine.

 

[KHoffRunner]

Okay good deal now I just have to get some one to but the stuff for me since walmart/lowes wont sell paint to a minor :wtf:

 

[xcmountain80]

What do we think about bronze wheels on silver 4Runners.......?

 

[renosauce]

I will be doing a bronze color on my wheels. My bumper is already bronze, the suspension is next...

 

[xcmountain80]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3280211206_ae912e0de4_o.jpg

Heres an idea, but I'm using thicker spoked LX450 wheels.

 

[Matt's 97 runner]

What is everyone doing with their wheel weights when painting the wheels? I am thinking you just pry the off and mark locations and just reinstall after dry?

 

[mattman]

What is everyone doing with their wheel weights when painting the wheels? I am thinking you just pry the off and mark locations and just reinstall after dry?

bump - I'm curious too - i need new tires within 6 months or so, and keep weighing the options in my mind ... pull weights off to paint and then take it to get tires? wait until new tires installed and then just paint over the weights? i don't know ....

 

[jkoni426]

Did the Center caps too:

may be an extremely noobish paint question but how are you guys doing the toyota emblem a different color? careful masking or am I missing something?

 

[cj80cruiser]

Not sure how everybody else is filling in the emblem but I was thinking abt using a touch up pen like you can find at walmarts automotive section.

 

[xcmountain80]

What is everyone doing with their wheel weights when painting the wheels? I am thinking you just pry the off and mark locations and just reinstall after dry?

In the past I timed it with new tires and just had them balanced with new. Currently I have new tires and need to paint the rims. Since the rims were already painted on the inside and I never actually see the inside I will probably just not paint the inside or back side of the rim. This might sound half azz but It's the face of the rim I want to make look better. That and I'm not willing to seperate the tires, sand blast the rims, prim, paint yada yad remount.... $$$$$. I'd rather, sand, mask, primer, paint, top coat done.

A

 

[mattman]

In the past I timed it with new tires and just had them balanced with new. Currently I have new tires and need to paint the rims. Since the rims were already painted on the inside and I never actually see the inside I will probably just not paint the inside or back side of the rim. This might sound half azz but It's the face of the rim I want to make look better. That and I'm not willing to seperate the tires, sand blast the rims, prim, paint yada yad remount.... $$$$$. I'd rather, sand, mask, primer, paint, top coat done.

A

your weights are on the inside?

 

[xcmountain80]

your weights are on the inside?

Uhhhh aren't everyones? They look like total **** on the outside plus they mar your wheels more than rocks seem to. When the tire shop doesnt install clip ons they use stick ons and mount them closer to the face.

I think I would flip out if the weight were put on the outside of my painted wheels....any of my toyota wheels for that matter as it messes up the finish over time.

A

 

[PitbullRescuer]

your weights are on the inside?

Mine are. I won't let them put weights on the outside. The prying on and off of the weights is what chips the clear coat on most wheels. Then all kinds of sh*t gets in there and in a year or two the finish on your wheels is shot.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Not sure there is any truth to this but I've been told that those stick on weights don't do as good of a job balancing.

 

[HedgehogOutdoors]

shawn5800's 4runner is now mine, and not that he did a bad job painting them or anything, I just wish they were a little darker. Honestly I didn't know they weren't stock color until I read his thread. I like the color stephenmarr used. And as for the painting of the Toyota emblem a different color, paint the whole center cap first, then tape over the entire thing and cut out the emblem parts with a razor, that should work.

 

[broncosi]

may be an extremely noobish paint question but how are you guys doing the toyota emblem a different color? careful masking or am I missing something?

Not sure how everybody else is filling in the emblem but I was thinking abt using a touch up pen like you can find at walmarts automotive section.

Yep. That is the easiest and quickest way. Since it is indented, you can sort of push down on the pen and let it flow into the emblem while spreading it lightly.

 

[Steve240]

Before,

After

Still deciding if I will paint the toyota symbol a different colour.