Painting Steel Wheels Help!

Discussion in 'Color is everything!' started by Paul Stewart, Aug 10, 2017.

  1. Paul Stewart

    Paul Stewart Well-Known Member

    I decided to tackle them myself after being put off over and over again at the body shop! After all, they are just wheels right?

    This is what I have. Four powder-coated 15 x 7 steelies. I purchased primer, base and clear coat from Automotive Touchup http://www.automotivetouchup.com/

    Here are my questions:

    What do I scuff the rims with prior to priming? Wet sand the primer?

    After the base is applied, how long should I wait prior to clear?

    I am not going to wet sand after clear as they are just wheels. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as YouTube is only so helpful!

    Thank you!
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Aug 10, 2017
  2. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    Should sand with 220 grit. Then after all sanded. Go over with red scotch brite pad.
    Prime. Then sand 400 grit. Clean good with water. Wipe with wax & grease solvent.
    Then paint. Wait for a day clear sky's. low humidity. Trust me worth the wait. But don't paint in direct sun light.
     
    Paul Stewart likes this.
  3. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    Wait a day to topcoat with clear. Tack rag and blow gun will help keep dirt away.
     
  4. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    Instead of 220. Maybe 320
     
    Paul Stewart likes this.
  5. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    I guess the biggest mistake would be not wiping with wax & Grease first. To get grease from finger prints off.
     
    Paul Stewart likes this.
  6. Paul Stewart

    Paul Stewart Well-Known Member

    Can you give me some more detail around the scotch bright red pad?
     
  7. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    Well sanding a rim throughly is no fun job. You will find that sand paper won't touch everything. And the scotch brite will get into tighter places. After you sand with the paper. IMG_0521.JPG
     
  8. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    IMG_0522.JPG I use 180/360 grit from kovax spread strands and roll up into ball. Like steel wool and sand away.
     
  9. Paul Stewart

    Paul Stewart Well-Known Member

    The 320 worked well on the e-coat. Priming on Sunday......
     
  10. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    Yes! I like Norton 320 dry. (Orangish Russett) color. It's the best. Use those think Home Depot paint stirrers. Cut them up in different lenths
     
  11. Paul Stewart

    Paul Stewart Well-Known Member

    Four coats of primer, 5 hrs later wet-sanding........
     

    Attached Files:

  12. Paul Stewart

    Paul Stewart Well-Known Member

    Wet-sanded and washed with soap and water. Will wipe down with grease and wax remover before base coat.....
     

    Attached Files:

  13. Paul Stewart

    Paul Stewart Well-Known Member

    Four coats of base! Four coats of Clear, couldn't be happier with the results!
     

    Attached Files:

    Brett Slater likes this.
  14. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

    Paul very nice! I installed mine last week. Had to use a Dremel to clean the (hole) opening so it fit over rear axle/ rotors
     
    Paul Stewart likes this.
  15. Paul Stewart

    Paul Stewart Well-Known Member

    Thank you, tires are being mounted on Monday!
     
  16. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    Doggies unite!
     
    Paul Stewart likes this.
  17. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

  18. scubasteve455

    scubasteve455 Well-Known Member

  19. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

  20. Paul Stewart

    Paul Stewart Well-Known Member

    Sinister, love it......
     
    Brett Slater likes this.

Share This Page