I got a set of 91 CRX Si wheels that I want to refurb. They are in decent shape, but I want them to look new. There are a couple scratches and pits on them, which I was planning on filling with spot putty.

They are currently at a shop getting bead blasted, I was going to wipe them down with a wax & grease prep then shoot them with a self etching primer, then a high build primer, color coat, then finally a clear, sanding between coats.

My question is: when should I fill with the spot putty? Before the etching primer or after it? Or in between the build primer coats?

 

u can put it be4 or after the self etching... i'd put it after. since in theory i would want the self etching to do its job by giving adhesion from the rim to the top layers of paint. but it really wouldnt matter...

but since u dont need to sand base coat, i would put the filler first, then sand it. so i can put the self etching and primer with a wet on wet process. and after the primer is dried then sand the primer... then put the base coat and clear coat..

make sense?

 

Can you do wet on wet with spray cans? Seems like the solvents wouldn't outgas very well. I don't know, I'm just asking, seems like you'd get better adhesion that way.

I asked this same question somewhere else and it was recommended to spot fill after the build primer so that it is less likely to sand thru the etching primer.

 

when i say "Wet on wet" i mean lay a coat then let it "flash off" then lay another coat etc....and yes wet on wet with the cans.

anytime when u work on a fender or door, lets say you fill a dent. you're going to fill it b4 u primer and sand it. so i'd do the same with the wheels. if you do it the way i told you... u will only be sanding primer to smooth it all out so theres no texture.