Painting Wheels

[EricP3]

I am about to sand blast my rota c10's and paint them silver. Does anyone have any recommendations on what kind of paint to get so that they look like normal silver rims? I dont want them to look sloppy.

Thanks

[eccramer]

I repainted my wheels bronze with some Duplicolor wheel paint. I was figuring that they'd chip after about a year, but it's almost 2 years going, and they look brand new even after 2 winters with graveled icy roads. However, I think a lot of that durability comes from following the right process. Make sure you rough the wheels up a bit with coarse sandpaper, and prime them with etching primer. Also, use many light coats and they should turn out okay.

[RedSiBaron]

ya i 2nd that ^^^

eric you've seen my wheels, i used duplicolor wheel paint and it has held up since 08 to daily driving

i scuff sanded with i think 220, but you really need to make sure they are scuffed good...i dont remember if i primered my wheels or not first to be honest, but i do agree, use a thin layer of etching primer on them first...and yes, slowly build them up and it will work out...i think i used 1 can of paint per wheel IIRC because i shot the whole thing back and front, inside and out

my professional painter friend told me that the trick is go thin on paint, the more thick you go, the more prone it is to chipping

[eccramer]

my professional painter friend told me that the trick is go thin on paint, the more thick you go, the more prone it is to chipping

This is very important. I used about 2.7 cans of paint on my 15 inch wheels, but they were all very thin coats. It took the better part of a day. Another handy thing to do is GET ONE OF THESE!

http://www.nationalartcraft.com/images/sub-1764-02.jpg

Seriously, it will save you from turning your hand into a shriveled claw over the course of a day. That's another thing: go slow. Don't try to speed through. Spray some primer, and let it etch. Then spray a thin layer, let it dry, spray another thin layer etc. It will take a lot of paint, but you can't do it too quickly or else you'll mess them up and they'll chip.

[EricP3]

Does anyone have any idea what they will look like after the sand blast?

[Jukka]

dont bother sandblasting unless you really want them clean. I just did my buddy's S4 wheels last week.
http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthread.php?63594-A-little-project-I-did-for-my-VW-buddy
I used 40, 400 and 800 grit sand paper, red and grey scotchbrite pads, self etching primer and about 3 cans of wheel paint and they turned out awsome. I only used the sand paper where there was curb rash or oxidazation coming through. otherwise, scuffed em down with the scotchbrite, laid about 2 thin coats of primer on to fill in any imperfections, then 2 thin coats of paint, 2 more medium coats, 1 heavy coat and then 1 medium coat of clear.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff213/6GCCanada/IMG_0222.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff213/6GCCanada/IMG-20110425-00021.jpg