Alloy Wheel Painting

[Davidbolam]

Does anyone have any experience or tips on painting alloy wheels? I have a set of mx5 wheels and would consider using these to save a bit of money during my build as long as I can spray them black. I enquired about powder coating them, however it seems I would be better off just buying a new set of wheels.

[ozzy1]

Give them a good rub down with a scotchbrite pad to remove the gloss and give a key and then just get them sprayed with a decent 2 pack paint.

[Not Anumber]

For longevity it would also be worth giving them a coat or two of etching primer before the standard primer and top coat. It gives a really good key on alloy wheels and redcuces chipping

[baz-r]

find a wheel restorer

a blast ,powdercoat primer and sprayed top coat is about £65 approx a wheel including any filling

if you want somthing nice and long lasting :D

[Davidbolam]

I am only looking for a short term option so dont want to pay so much for each wheel. I have got a set of mx5 daisy alloys and am in the process of cleaning them up. I am going to polish the outer rim and paint the spokes and inner rim black. Once my car is on the road or funds are sufficient I will buy some nice new ones.

[Deanno]

I use top be the paint sprayer in my work and i use to do wheels for a few rally cars and all i did was shot blast them, etch primer and a top coat white 2-pac paint.
The pic below is one of mine.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6842005398_56cedc969c_z.jpg

when i was into modifying cars i did a set in anthracite rubed them down with sandpaper, used filler primer from halfrauds and a few cans of anthracite later they looked brilliant considering they were done with rattle cans.

hope this helps

[Deanno]

one tip i have learned was if you paint alloys with the tyres on put some washing up liquid on a brush and apply it to the tyre, any overspray can be washed off (Once the paint is dry ;) )

[Davidbolam]

I finally got around to having a go at painting one of my wheels. here is a photo of before and after..

http://www.flickr.com/photos/67112582@N03/6889267330/in/photostream

here is the link:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/67112582@N03/6889267330/in/photostream

[twinturbo]

find a wheel restorer

a blast ,powdercoat primer and sprayed top coat is about £65 approx a wheel including any filling

if you want somthing nice and long lasting :D

You can almost buy a brand new set of wheels for £65 a corner.

TT

[robo]

You can almost buy a brand new set of wheels for £65 a corner.

TT

Thats where i am now and at least you dont have the grief of cleaning and painting, also you get what you want in style, rim width and offset. Makes the second hand wheel not so attractive.


Bob

[Davidbolam]

I decided to use the mx5 wheels as they are a bit similar to minilites. In fact a jap rip off of them. They are also very light and I have read that if they are changed they will probably be heavier. They were also free so managed to save 65 x 4 at least.