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.

 

I'm interested in this as well, I don't want them to look like crap tho.

 

i have thought about this, i miss my old clearcoated wheels.

 

Absolutely, unless you want to keep polishing them every week. Brake dust, salt, and acids in this area are just awful on polished rims. Leave that stuff for the guys in the southwest.

You'll be happier if you clearcoat them.

 

I saw a thread earlier (when I was searching ) where there was oxidation underneath the clearcoat on stock wheels. That is pretty much my main concern with doing it myself... I would be PO'ed if I had to strip the clearcoat off because it was cheap.

 

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.

 

powder coat silver... IMO with clear... shop around few places around me do it for $50 a rim.. pretty far to me..

 

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.

 

sorry lol i didnt finish reading the last sentance lol...

 

Make sure you take wax and grease remover to them after you polish them or the silicone in the polish will cause fish eyes in the paint.

 

Thanks Chad, have you any advice on what would be a good wax and grease remover?

 

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.

 

I'll make sure to get those tack rags. Thanks again.

 

np

 

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

 

Thanks for the info Dan.

 

I would look for a local guy that can powdercoat them clear, all you would really need done are the faces of the wheels and you should be able to get it done for $100 or so.

Dan