Okay, here's what I've got:

1.) high-temp gloss black paint (2 cans)
2.) clear coat (2 cans)
3.) primer (2 cans)
4.) aircraft paint stripper
5.) 300 grit sandpaper
6.) 400 grit sandpaper
7.) painters tape for tires, valve stems, etc.

What else do I need? I plan to:

1.) clean off wheels.
2.) tape off tires and use aircraft stripper to remove OEM clearcoat and finish, down to the bare aluminum.
3.) clean off wheels again, then apply a new line of painters tape.
4.) sand down wheels with 300 grit first, then 400 grit to make it fine and smooth.
5.) clean off wheels, then apply primer (not sure of how many coats, need advice)
6.) let dry, then apply paint to wheel (not sure how much, I was thinking 4-6 coats?)
7.) let dry, then apply clearcoat (2 coats maybe?)

What else do I need to do in this process? what should I NOT do? Any advice from people who have painted their wheels would be greatly appreciated. And please don't throw me that GSR guys link, I've already got it and I used it as a base for how to paint my wheels. The part that confused me is where the aircraft paint stripper comes in, and when I should use it in the painting process. Thanks in advance!

 

that sounds about right to me, i.m defintely doing the same thing as you as soon as i get my car back from tha shop. but i.m going for the gunmetal look, gonna use Duplicolor wheel paint (graphite color)

 

I was looking for the Duplicolor charcoal color, which is as close to black from Duplicolor that I could find. But the auto parts store guy said that as long as I use a good high-temp paint, primer, and a good clear coat, I should be fine.

Can't wait to get started on them, too bad there's a -24 degree windchill this week Stupid Minnesota!

 

I did this tonight i think its alright

 

yea that looks good

 

Heres a tip to anyone who hasnt painted there wheels yet. Use tire glaze on the tires first, that way if you get any over spray on the tires it will wipe right off. Good luck and post some before and after pics.

 

How much did you spend for this stuff? I am going to do this to my GSR wheels this weekend and need to know how much to take out of the bank. Thanks

Scott

 

How much did you spend for this stuff? I am going to do this to my GSR wheels this weekend and need to know how much to take out of the bank. Thanks
Scott

this is how much i spent.....
Primer 2.99 (1 can) u can use more if u want
4 sheets ofsand paper 2-2.50$
2 cans of Rustoleum black night paint 3.99
Laquer thinner 5.00
masking tape 2.00( i did a bad job of it)
Paint gun handle(optional) 2.00
soooo id say about 15-20$

 

do u paint the back part of the rim no one eva post pics wit that...and i wanna see some 94 accords with those wheels painted...hit dis up..

 

I don't know about the high gloss/high temp paint...I'd stick with paint made for wheels, like the dupli-color wheel paint.

 

if you are painting the wheels a light color like white or bronze or silver, its good to probably do all those steps to make sure the surface is even. for mine which are black (gunmetal probably be in this category or a dark bronze even), i just wet sanded the wheels to take some of the factory (nissan 240 se wheels) clear off and i also had to even out the surface where the previous lady owner rubbed on the curbs a few times. then i just hit it with the black and then later the clear. i didnt clear the inside of the rim (behind spokes and the inner rim area). it turned out pretty good. it had no problem sticking either. just be careful with the runs. luckily i didnt have any for once.

i know on some honda wheels like si, ls mesh where theres alot of spokes and etc its probably alot harder to get in all the nooks and crannies.

good luck



sorry for the **** picture.

 

Looks like everything to me!

 

your car is lovely.. last sunday i got bored and painted my wheels.. i didnt do any fancy prep work though cuz i really dont care haha.. i just took them off at my dads shop, pulled the valve stem core out, slid paper in to cover the tire.. painted a light coat to get it tacky..lucky it was sunny and like 80 outside.. then i sprayed them til they were nice lookin.. but this week i get my azenis so im gonna throw a few more coats on with no tires..then maybe a few coats of clear.. should look nice.. but im much happier with them now..

 

Lose the aircraft stripper and the primer. You don't need them. If you do a good sanding job, the paint will stick well.

 

Thank you. I'll take some pictures when I'm done, although they won't be on my car because it's still stock height No need to show my monster truck.

Scott

 

I would personally never put aircraft stripper on my wheels.
When i get arround to painting my C8's im going to just wet sand em w/ 400 and then 800 and primer, and paint.

 

Yeah the paint will stick better to roughed up paint then bare aluminum, i would just scuff them down and then start applying light coats.

 

hey do a search i remember not to long ago someone posted an in depth detail on what you need and how to do it. it may help

 

Yeah that aircraft stripped doesnt help the wheels that much...And personally I think it's a huge ******* mess. Just scuffing them should be fine as lond as their degreased very well.

 

Cool!

*scrounges up receipt for aircraft stripper from Pep Boys*

 

I'd save it for other projects. I've used it to strip the paint off my muffler, and valve cover. Everyone says it works really well...But in my case it helped, but a lot of elbow grease had t be added.