This Probably is in the Wrong place, But Since I'm doing this for a Prelude I thought I would Post it Here. I've Been Planning to Repaint the Wheels on my Prelude for a very long time now, since I can't afford any new rims... After some thought and some Research its seems fairly easy to do... I wanted to repaint the rims Gun Metal or something Dark like that... I plan to use AirCraft Remover on it to take off the Paint... then repaint it... WHat do you guys think I should do, this would be my first time doing this... Has anyone Else did this before?

Saki

 

What you need:
-1000 and 2000 grit wet sand paper (if you dont get the "wet sand" type, when you put it in the water bucket it will dissolve!)
-2 cans sandable primer (the color doesn't matter. the finished product will be as dark as it was intended to be despite the shade of primer you choose. so just pick the cheapest :: )
-3 cans Duplicolor wheel paint (2 cans if u have 15" rims)

-1 can Duplicolor wheel clear (or any duplicolor clear)
-a lot of index cards or some aluminum foil (very easy to shape and no tape needed compared to newspaper)
-wet towel and bucket of clean soapy water

Process:
1. Jack up car and remove as many wheels as you can at a time (it will help you save time by working on another wheel while the other one dries)
2. Wash the rims thoroughly making sure you get in between the spokes. Don't worry about drying it yet.
3. Using the 1000 grit sand paper and either a hose or water bucket, begin to sand down the rim in ALL areas. Sand down until you its nice and smooth to the touch. Don't forget to sand down the sides of the spokes and in between. These are the "special attention areas"

4. Wash off the rims once more to remove deposits, and dry the rim thoroughly.
5. Stick index cards all along the outer rim, or wrap the tire with aluminum foil (whichever is more conveinant). Another method is to apply tire foam/gel prior to painting. Then after, you can just wipe off the stuff and no paint on tires :D
6. Now it is ready to prime. Using several very light coats, spray the primer on the rim, paying special attention to the area in between the spokes. Repeat this until the rim is covered in a few nice layers of primer. Let dry about 2 minutes in between coats.
7. Now this step is completely up to you. After the final coat of primer dries (5+ minutes), if you think the surface isn't as smooth as before, use the 2000 grit sandpaper and sand it down slightly until the primer is smooth.
8. Using the same exact steps as the primer, paint the rims, paying special attention to the side of the spokes and in between them. I usually spray more paint on the rim than I did the primer, which is why I recommended 3 cans of paint for 16"+ rims.
9. You don't need to sand down the surface of the paint. It shouldn't become rough unless the spray can started to spatter, which means the nozzle needed to be cleaned. In this case, let it dry and wetsand with 2000 grit sand paper.
10. Finally, spray on the clearcoat. The Duplicolor wheel paint is durable enough without clearcoat, but the clearcoat just adds extra bling to the rims . I only recommended 1 can because you really only need 1-2 light coats to protect the surface from minor rock chips.
11. Before removing whatever you decided to use to protect your tires from overspray, check over the rim to make sure you didn't miss a spot.
12. Reinstall rim and repeat steps for other rims

I cannot emphasize this enough, but take your time!! Taking my sweet time, it took me a total of 3 hours for all 4 times. I did 2 at a time, and the time includes drying, washing, installing and removing the rims.

 

WOw thanks for the quick repsonse... This i very helpful i appreciate it... One quick question though... would sand paper be better or the aircraft remover, i noticed some people say that they are really both the same and how did you sand around the valve stem... its such a small spot to work with? ALso did you paint only the front of the rim or the back as well??

 

i painted only the front face of the rim. the inside was too dirty from the built up dirt from 3 years of owning the car, i didnt wanna scrub hahaha...

but as for aircraft remover or sanding, it depends. aircraft remover is the easy solution. you'd have to sand either way (after you spray the primer). as for only sanding, you'd need to work on it for a bit and make sure the surface is totally smooth. i did this with a running hose, and wetsand paper (the non-wet sand kind dissolves). as for around the valve stem, its easy just have to use a couple fingers and apply pressure and start scrubbing.

 

Awesome... I really appreciate the info... THanks... Saki

 

anytime bro good luck

 

Do you have any pictures 'after' the wheel has been painted and driven on for a month or so?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do you have any pictures 'after' the wheel has been painted and driven on for a month or so?</TD></TR></TABLE>

2 months

 

further away, but shows the gloss when you use the duplicolor clearcoat. Ignore my dog and friend in the foreground.

 

what kind of paint and color code did you use for you rims... your rims look so nice...

 

i used the duplicolor gunmetal and cleearcoat and some duplicolor hi temp engine primer i had laying around.

i stripped with the aircraft stripper, be careful of contact with the tire.

then i rinsed and sanded with 180 grit dry sandpaper and then 200 something.
I had a few scratches i wanted to get out, besides i don't think wet sanding is neccesary.

then i did 1 coat of primer, 2 coats of gunmetal and 2 coats of clear. I used index cards to mask the tires.

i also didn't spray clear on the centercaps and they match pretty closely. i just scuffed them up to let the primer and paint stick.

 

heres my friends integra i painted


and heres mine


this is after driving 400 miles from socal to norcal the day after painting them


Behan: your rims look good bro my rims are now the new duplicolor bronze

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do you have any pictures 'after' the wheel has been painted and driven on for a month or so?</TD></TR></TABLE>

i've had my rims painted for a few months now, and as long as you prepped it and applied enough coats of paint and clear, it should be protected as much as a stock coating would

 

When I got my car the person didnt have any depth perception or just sucked *** at parking and curbed the hell out of my front wheels. I want to paint them just for the hell of it, you think i could sand off the narly curbings? I can post a pic if it helps. Thanks

Damon

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by damonk &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you think i could sand off the narly curbings? I can post a pic if it helps. Thanks

Damon</TD></TR></TABLE>

most definately! thats what i did with mine, just use a lower grit sand paper (maybe 600 grit) and start sanding that **** down. if its a deep gash, the surface will be smooth but you may still be able to see the indentations fom up close

 

Question where would I be able to find aircraft remover... I didn't see it at my local auto shop... would it be at like a Hardware store of something???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Saki &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Question where would I be able to find aircraft remover... I didn't see it at my local auto shop... would it be at like a Hardware store of something??? </TD></TR></TABLE>

I know they sell it at autozone and advance. I used "Tal Strip Aircraft Paint Remover". I have also seen it at Lowes, but it wasn't in an aerosol can.

 

dark wheels look so good with white car, personally i dont think they are harmonic with red body though, just my thought.

 

Adding to this: What color would match my car for my rims:



Thanks, also, if you guys as a "poll" say no to other color, how do i like polish them or chrome color them?

Let me know, thanks a lot!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by naujcdl &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how do i like polish them or chrome color them?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=852379

yes i know it's for a header, but same thing

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Daboi630 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=852379

yes i know it's for a header, but same thing </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks!!!

 

quick question.. i liked the style of the rims i bought of someone but they are chrome.. in fact its suck a shitty chrome job that its starting to flake/peel off.. you think the same method would apply in getting the chrome off.. im thinking it would be more difficult.. any suggestions on getting the chrome off?

 

My brother and I also used the Duplicolor graphite color to paint our autocross rims. It's been about a year and they've held up well. Here is a pic (No, they don't really look that green in person)

 

I painted two spare wheels I have with Duplicolor paint. I chose the paint that looks stock. Me likes it dat way.

I have to put clear coat on them now.

None of the wheels have ANY curb rash either. NICE!! Got the wheels for free too. Looked like hell before (anti-freeze spilled on them)