Wheel Refinishing?

[BamaDrewski]

I am wondering if anyone knows of a good outfit to strip down and refinish factory T4R wheels? I live in Alabama and I have asked a few body shops and they all look at me like I am crazy when I ask. Any tips would be appreciated!

 

[BrianSD_42]

I am wondering if anyone knows of a good outfit to strip down and refinish factory T4R wheels? I live in Alabama and I have asked a few body shops and they all look at me like I am crazy when I ask. Any tips would be appreciated!

I don't known about AL but out here on the west coast a lot of people do Powder Coating. Every major US city should have a powder coating business (for construction , marine customers ...) And most do wheels as well. Mine have held up well so far.

 

[JohnBill53]

I've painted my wheels three times now, every time I just use some paint stripper and some fine sandpapper, primer, paint, clear coat, yadda, yadda...I just recently repainted actually....

 

[mccamp82]

I've painted my wheels three times now, every time I just use some paint stripper and some fine sandpapper, primer, paint, clear coat, yadda, yadda...I just recently repainted actually....

Those gold rims look really sweet, man. Do you remove the tires each time or do you just mask them off and paint while everything is still together? I've been thinking of painting my rims (same type as yours) a gunmetal color to contrast with my Thundercloud paint job but want to avoid taking the tires off if possible.

Thanks

 

[BrianSD_42]

Is there a reason why you have had to repaint the wheels 3x ?

 

[runnyrunnerton]

Harbor freight sells sandblasters for about $30 I used it on my wheels with playground sand. (Buy coveralls and a Face shield, do it where you wont have to clean up) Sure your fingers go numb and you wash sand out of your butt for a week but NOTHING does the job like a sandblaster. However, every powder coat shop in America can sandblast as well. If I ever decide on a final color for my rims Ill let them do the final job before powder coating.

Tractor supply sells sandblasting media that is tough as nails, it will pit on you if you are not careful, but it works way faster. It is $7 a bag and you'll need two bags. You can strain and reuse it and make it last. I used it on my bumper when i refinished it. WAY FASTER but the material will probably eat aluminum for lunch.

 

[Brian757]

... and you wash sand out of your butt for a week but NOTHING does the job like a sandblaster...

Something tells me you did it wrong.

Haha!! Awesome. That was too funny. So I'm assuming you didn't take your own advice and wore coveralls? Or was it a super messy job. I know sandblasters put sand everywhere, but good laugh runnerton. As far as the OP, I would listen to runnyrunnerton. Sand blasters are hugely effective and get the paint off.

 

[JohnBill53]

Those gold rims look really sweet, man. Do you remove the tires each time or do you just mask them off and paint while everything is still together? I've been thinking of painting my rims (same type as yours) a gunmetal color to contrast with my Thundercloud paint job but want to avoid taking the tires off if possible.

Thanks

Yeah I took the tires off the first two times but this time I just took them off the truck and did the good old fashion tape, playing cards, and news paper trick

 

[JohnBill53]

Is there a reason why you have had to repaint the wheels 3x ?

yes, when I was in highschool, the curb seemed to get alot closer to my 4runner then it does nowadays, especially on friday and saturday nights haha

and the most recent, the third time, I just did so I could be sure I wanted to go with the matte bronze SCS wheels

 

[jmildoc]

I used a can of paint stripper and rustoleum wheel primer paint and clear. Been holding up great for almost 7 months now.

 

[ledger35]

I like the color, is that brake dust brown??