I'm going to be painting my summer wheels and am planing on going with a self etching primer then a low gloss engine enamel for the final coat. Is it really necessary to do a clear coat of sorts over the enamel paint? Just seems that it'd be much easier to touch up a wheel chip if it didn't have a clear coat layer. Also not looking for a high gloss finish, would rather it have the finish of low gloss/satin. I think Rustoleum might have a satin clear coat. I've done this with a past set of wheels but I no longer have that set. Maybe Chris will post up how well they held up while he had them mounted? Any chips?
I didn't use any clear with mine. Guy at work still has them on his DD and they're holding up very well, even after over a year of being beaten and bruised. Like Mix said, extra coats of paint. I used exactly the same thing you did - green self-etching, and then low gloss engine enamel.
Shameless post http://mnsubaru.com/forums/showthread.php?35417-Prep-and-Paint-Wheels-DIY&highlight=DIY+wheel To answer your question though, from some interweb research I did when I did mine, clear coat is not needed. Like stated above me, one or two more coats will suffice! Excited to see how this turns out! Keep us posted
should have left them primer green shibbs! They only benefit i can see of doing the clear coat would be if you want a more glossed finished it will help out a lot.
from the many things i have spray bombed, this is the only thing you gain. Since from my experience if you slack on the prep it chips anyways, doesn't matter if you have clear coat or not. just primer, sand, paint, sand, paint repeat until your happy. or you can just wipe down between coats since spray paint leaves a dusting if your painting the rims close to each other. or use steel wool instead of sanding that stuff works amazing especially for non-gloss paints.
I'll be updating my "Grocery Getter" thread as the project takes shape. Prep will start soon and i'll be having my friend spray them up as he is much better with a spray can than I.
Just take your time, don't rush it. I used clear on mine, but I wanted a factory-look with my paint job. Also having someone who knows what they're doing always helps.
i just did my bbs's last night, etching primer, and semi-gloss black engine enamel, i threw 2 coats of clear on mine, but no need to, didnt on my old rotas and they looked great!
If you want a completely flat color then go without the clear coat, just do a couple extra coats of your main color. On a side note if your doing multiple colors or textures (matte or glossy) be sure to mask whatever you dont want to be glossy...Made that mistake on my first rim on either side of the orange the black looks a little glossy.
