alright so iv got 15 in eagle alloys there aluminum rims and im lookin at painting them what would be the cheapest most affective way to do this. i really dont want to anidize them the guy out here wants 75 bucks per tire.

 

Sand them down very well then use something like Duplicolor wheel paint or engine enamal and just take your time.

 

alright thanks man

 

make sure you put a clear back on them

 

Do a FANTASTIC job cleaning them too. Otherwise dirt, dust, etc will ruin the paint job.

 

You don't have to put a clear back on. It's really all on how you want it though. If you want a gloss finish then throw a couple coats of clear on. If not, don't.

 

When i tried to clear my mine it ruined the color of the rims so i had to re do them. It made the black paint look grey.

 

LOL Think it'd make my grey paint look a little bit more black? I want to clear mine but I don't want to ruin them. They look so good now I'd hate to ruin em LOL

 

krylon satin ftw

my trailer

 

i did the rims on my rsx a year ago with duplicolor gunmetal paint. looks great! most definitely clear them, as i found they will chip real easy if you dont. i cleared mine after and they look awesome

 

What about snow and salt? Will that somehow get under the paint? I want to paint my clasic II cuz Im getting tired of having to polish them every spring.

 

the only problem i had once rims were painted and cleared was hsving one chip when i had new tires put on

 

My plan is to only paint the center and leave the lip but that will probably pose a problem with salt/moisture getting under the paint?

 

did you make sure that the paint was fully dry before spraying the clear? the clear could have diluted the semi cured black paint, and allowed some of the silver from the aluminum to show through, thus appearing grey...

there is always going to be a paint edge... as long as it's prepped well, and your masking is removed before the paint cures, you shouldn't have that issue... i would paint the rim, remove the masking, let it dry 45 minutes or so, then clear the entire rim, lip included...

as for the sanding, i would recommend scotchbrite pads to prep the metal, and a chemical paint stripper to remove the clear you have on it...

someone else said it's not necissary to clear the rim, that is true, but bare aluminum will oxidise and look like crap... i would use a varathane type product, if you can find it, it is illegal almost everywhere in canada (except my province) spray paint lacquer, with UV protection... i used just a regular lacquer on my license plate bracket on my bike, and it's solid as a rock, did about 8 coats on a wire brushed piece of steel, looks almost as good as chrome... (i have pics if you are interested) and no rust to date, this was just over a year ago, and no chips at all... the lacquer dries as hard as diamond... (i think varathane brand advertises their "diamond solid finish" or something like that)

 

If it is not too late here is my thoughts, IMHO...

Get the rims sandblasted by someone that you know will do a good job.
Sanding is OK but it just does not make an even finish and there are those corners and edges that always get left out.
Wipe the rims with a Tac Cloth and something like Prep-Sol, a pre-paint solution.
Spray the Rims with DuPont Metal Etching Primer, two nice coats, the second can be applied almost immediately.
Let the Etching Primer dry for a couple of hours minimum, maybe longer if you can and in a heated room, garage or in the sun. (this allows for the etching to take place)
Then use any of the DuPont Paint Products, regular enamel, wheel paint, which ever one you want get it done.
Spray with a Clear Coat BUT, read the instructions on the paint can that you painted the rim with; some paints need to have the clear applied within hours, some within minutes and some need the top coat scratched with Scotch Bright so the colored paint will need to dry really well before scuffing.

The sand blasting will cost a little extra but in the long run will look the best, more even, no scratches from the sand paper, an over all better job and finish.
Etching Primer is a little pricey but well worth it, don’t skimp on it.
Using all DuPont Paint Products makes sure of compatibility and adhesion.

Luck to ya.

 

X2 on the etching primer, will save all kinds of headaches from chips or flexing,