Painting wheels that are in good shape?

[OHP]

I bought some FJ rims today that I am going to finish in a gun metal type color. The wheels are in great shape and I'm wondering about what prep work I need to do before painting? I've read several threads about wheel painting and most are about finishing wheels that are in bad shape or have the clear coat peeling. Should I just sand lightly and paint right on the existing clear coat or should I lay down a couple coats of primer first? Or should I strip the clear coat and start at bare metal? Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[STAYGOLD]

i always scotchbrite, primer and then spray away if the clear coat is in good shape. post pics when done, im going gunmetal too. best of luck.

 

[S p a r k y]

I always suggest be safe like I did. Plasti-dip the wheels then paint to the color you want. You can always remove later if you dont like. I did this last october and the plasti-dip and paint are still holding up wonderfully.

 

[OHP]

i always scotchbrite, primer and then spray away if the clear coat is in good shape. post pics when done, im going gunmetal too. best of luck.

Would you use self etching or regular primer. I would think since it's not bare metal the regular primer would be fine.

 

[OHP]

I always suggest be safe like I did. Plasti-dip the wheels then paint to the color you want. You can always remove later if you dont like. I did this last october and the plasti-dip and paint are still holding up wonderfully.

I have definately considered this but was worried about durability. Did you sand before plastidipping? Did you clear coat after you painted the plastidip?
Thanks.

 

[DMC91187]

ive been thinking about doing some plastidipping myself & from what ive gathered you dont have to sand first its a rubbery coat & doesnt require any prep work besides cleaning & you taping off your area if you feel needed

 

[S p a r k y]

I have definately considered this but was worried about durability. Did you sand before plastidipping? Did you clear coat after you painted the plastidip?
Thanks.

Durablity has been great, my dad even mentioned the other day when he saw it how good its holding up. Only thing you need to do before dipping is wash well, plasti-dipping is like putting on a real thick condom :lol:. Let the dip dry for about 30 mins then spray paint. I never cleared mine and still looks great. Look here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/99069-weekend-mods-plasti-dip-spray-paint.html

My suggestion is buy a can on plasti-dip and whatever color spray paint you want. Try this out on your spare and see if you like. If you dont, peel off the plasti and try something else.

 

[STAYGOLD]

OHP- i would just use a regular primer. self-etching is a mix of phosphoric acid and zinc. the acid forces the zinc into the top of the metal, so its really just a surface coat for sealing rust. i plan on going the plasti-dip+paint route until i can afford new wheels. i would have said something, just thought you were set on painting, which is effective too. plasti is just "reversible."

party on wayne.

 

[OHP]

I will proceed with plasti-dippin.

party on Garth

 

[OHP]

One more question. Is it better to have the tires mounted before or after I start the refinish? I'm worried about the tire mounting proceedure scratching the finish.

 

[STAYGOLD]

the machine will definitely scratch the lip up. take playing cards or note cards and stuff them around the edge (in the lip basically) to shield the tire from paint AFTER the tires have been mounted.

 

[mycrobyte]

Please folks, don't waste your time and money using a Zinc Phosphate on aluminum. Though this well effectively degrease the aluminum there is no zinc being deposited on the substrate for corrosion protection.

If you need to want to properly pretreat aluminum use a chromate conversion coating.

 

[Gerdo]

While I have thought about painting my wheels many times, then I come to my senses. Since I wheel and DO scratch (drag them on rocks), they would look pretty bad pretty quickly. When you scratch a dark wheel, the light aluminum shows up bad. When you scratch a light colored wheel, they don't look that bad.

If you don't wheel, my point is moot.