Should I clearcoat my aluminum rims?
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Should I clearcoat my aluminum rims?
I have restored my Bronco's rims using the Duplicolor Wheel Coating: I'm happy with the results of the paint and the clearcoat, and I am thinking of using the clearcoat on my aluminum rims for the Ranger after I polish them up with 000 steel wool.
Does anyone know if this is a good idea, or am I going to get burned by this and screw up my rims? I'm tired of polishing them, and I can't afford to pay to have them clear coated elsewhere.
Does anyone know if this is a good idea, or am I going to get burned by this and screw up my rims? I'm tired of polishing them, and I can't afford to pay to have them clear coated elsewhere.
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#6
Follow the instructions, and go from there I guess.
Seeing what happens to polished wheels that you do not constantly keep up with (especially in winter or offroading) I think whatever happens they'll look better than if you didn't.
It just depends on how much work you're willing to do to keep up with the maintenance of bare metal.
For sure I'd make sure they are polished and thoroughly solvent cleaned and dried before applying the coating if you do. Prep of the surface is the primary reason paint and coatings fail. Usually, even the cheapest product is pretty good when properly applied.
Seeing what happens to polished wheels that you do not constantly keep up with (especially in winter or offroading) I think whatever happens they'll look better than if you didn't.
It just depends on how much work you're willing to do to keep up with the maintenance of bare metal.
For sure I'd make sure they are polished and thoroughly solvent cleaned and dried before applying the coating if you do. Prep of the surface is the primary reason paint and coatings fail. Usually, even the cheapest product is pretty good when properly applied.
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Zach, let me enlighten you here... If I can't afford to pay to have them clearcoated, I can't afford to have them powder coated. However, if you would like to see them powder coated silver, you can always send me the $200.
Since I know you're not going to send me the money (though you should), I am going to go with spray painting them with the clear wheel paint after I get them all polished up. $10 vs $200 is one hell of a difference, and if it turns out to be a mistake, I only wasted $10.
Since I know you're not going to send me the money (though you should), I am going to go with spray painting them with the clear wheel paint after I get them all polished up. $10 vs $200 is one hell of a difference, and if it turns out to be a mistake, I only wasted $10.
#9
Zach, let me enlighten you here... If I can't afford to pay to have them clearcoated, I can't afford to have them powder coated. However, if you would like to see them powder coated silver, you can always send me the $200.
Since I know you're not going to send me the money (though you should), I am going to go with spray painting them with the clear wheel paint after I get them all polished up. $10 vs $200 is one hell of a difference, and if it turns out to be a mistake, I only wasted $10.
Since I know you're not going to send me the money (though you should), I am going to go with spray painting them with the clear wheel paint after I get them all polished up. $10 vs $200 is one hell of a difference, and if it turns out to be a mistake, I only wasted $10.
#12
When you at the store buying the paint it should be in the same area as the paint. When I worked in a bodyshop we use to get it in 5o gallons drums and all it said on the drum was wax and grease remover. Also make you you buy a couple of tack rags also to make sure there is not dust on them.
#15
I used that clear on the rims of my ex after I cleaned them all up, the clear coat doesn't hold up that well, it really killed the front wheels. The clear does not really protect against brake dust that well. My rims looked horrible. I finally took some steel wool to them and the clear was almost gone, but where it was was really hard to remove. I would save up some money and do it right, otherwise they will look like garbage in a few months.
Dan
Dan
#17
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