Prep and Paint Wheels DIY

So tonight I took on the task of stripping, cleaning, and priming.

First thing is to locate all the right supplies:
Paint stripper solution (strip fast in this situation)
Brushes/scowering pads (the handle makes it quite easy and it is interchangable)
Acetone (cleaning purposes)
Sand paper 100, 160, and 400 (could very but thats what I had in the garage)
GLOVES (this stuff will burn on contact with skin, trust this)
Primer (acid etching)
Shop rags/towels

Option of a large bucket to wash if no hose access

All can be obtained for just under $40

It is best to lay down some news paper since this will get messy

Apply the "Strip Fast" with your brush

Let sit for 10-15 min (0m nom nom as the acidics eat away)

Dont forget to apply to the center caps if present

First scrub/strip with scrubbing pad

Apply to the inside and wait another 10-15


I now add a second coat of "Strip Fast"; after 10-15 its time for a bath

Using a scrubbing pad, clean the wheel real good in your soapy solution (2pt water 1pt dawn dish soap)

Once you have dried said wheel from it's time in the tub, the sanding begins

(Work your way from the smaller#'s to the larger #'s)

Clean the wheel with Acetone if you like once sanding is complete

 

Apply first light coat of primer


Heat helps!

Wait untill it is VERY VERY dry and apply a coat to the inside

Again, heat helps

Time for second coat


While other wheels are either soaking or drying, you can always pop a cap :eek4:

Apply a light coat of "Strip Fast" to the plastic and remove 5-8; clean in bath

Apply primer (2 coats)


By now it is time to apply the third coat to your rims







And that is as far as I got tonight... I will add tons more info to this tomorrow as well as it continues with applying the paint.

 

Lets finish this!

Second night (special thanks to Nate chubbywrx) for all the painting help :biggrin:





Test strip


Looked good, here goes nothing


Going around first pass


Second pass to get into the nooks and crannys





Dont forget those center caps


First rim begins to dry (compare and contrast)




Repeat and tada

 

.....

 

.........

 

It crossed my mind

 

I started at about 6 and was by myself untill about 830 when a buddy showed up and productivity went up from there. While I was taking off the old paint, he was sanding. It was a good rotation. We finished up at about 1:30, so, about 6.5-7 hours toal time. If you are a lot more motivated than us, I imagine you could have it done in about 5 hours. (I was doing a "super clean" job and took longer than was really needed, but wanted these guys to sparkel before primer)

You can do this with the tires on, I believe that is how my current 06-07's where done. Masking off the rubber and going to town. The only issue I may run into is when they mount the tire the rim might get scratched up... Hopefully that isnt an issue

 

Finished tonight....

Will add details and such tomorrow

Pics are up

 

Self etching would have been a better purchase from what I have been told

Learning experience

 

Got the tires and wheels put on today

Pics will be up shortly, also edited the original post to make more sense lol

 

iphone camera meh's

 

Bump for that time of year again!

Hopefully this will help some more people

I did a two tone color this year.. Ill post up the final product soon

 

White in winter is always a gamble

But hey, I think that would look good on your car.

Are these going to be for summer dutties?