Well I have had it I am tired of my rims always getting all corroded up after I polish them.... So I am going to paint them black using the same airplane paint I used on my bumpers. The rims are cast alumnium. Should I prime them first and what is a good way to get off the brake crud? I am going to power wash them real well but I am not sure if the brake dust and junk will come off easily.. Thanks.

 

I don't know Doc, but let me know how it goes. I've been thinking about doing the same thing to my MTs

Oh yeah, I will take those studs back. I guess I could get you my adress, or I could wait until we meet again.....just not sure how long that will be.

 

I will let you know.. I am going away this weekend until next weekened but I will hopefully do the whell mod by the end of March... I think they will look cool in the semi-gloss black. It does not matter to me what you would like me to do. If you want them now I will ship them.. or at a meet. I would like to do something soon but we can discuss that over PM's.

 

I have a Hot Water Pressure Washer it can go up to 212 Degrees. So Basically it turns into a Steam Cleaner.

You could use that or you could bead/sand blast them, prime them, and then paint them.

 

You know I never thought of that.. We have one at our firehouse also. Might have to borrow that!

 

You can also try "aircraft stripper" to remove any paint overspray or anything else that may be on the wheels. Make sure you wipe them down with a non-colored rag and some lacquer thinner before you make any moves on painting or priming them. It also wouldnt hurt to go over them with some red scotch brite to help the primer adhere correctly.

Edit: When you are finished painting them(and they are completely dry), take a wire wheel or something to clean the paint off the lug holes so the lugs dont stick or chip any of the paint off...

 

honisty have them powder coated start calling around there is a few places near me that will do them for $50 a wheel

 

Yeah but the problem there is that my truck gets beat.. I have had powder coated things in the past... They look great but the first scratch and then it starts to peel and bubble... I KNOW these will be getting scratched!

 

Yea, so Zach dont try to change his mind!! HAHA J/K

 

the wheels on my ranger are used when i got them used but a guy that beat the ever loving **** out of his older lifted explorer went threw about 4 motors 7 transfercases he isnt nice on anything at all. went threw stuff quite often you should see the truck true trail truck aint pretty at all....needless to say if there powder coated right they should be fine mine being 6 years old look great suprisingly...

 

i am not just givining some advice tis all its Doc we are good pals i am not trying to insalt him

 

I thank you for the advice.. Maybe I just had a fluke of an experience but I would hate to have another 150 bucks into the 5 rims and they peel again! LOL
EDIT: DUH I CAN ADD!! 5 x 50 = 150 yeah ok.... Must be late! ok 250 in the rims!

 

Its all in how you prep the material!!!

 

Lol thats retarded, powdercoat for 200 bucks? Talk about a freakin waste of money.

I've painted a few rim sets now, from beadblasting them polished clean to cleaning em off very well and spray painting them.

I'd say use an automotive black paint from napa. Then put like 3 layers of clearcoat. I'd go outside and take pics of my rims, but I haven't put em on yet. I'll see if i have a pic tho.

Aaron

 

ok thanks. I was planning on using the airplane paint for its durability and the fact that I have a gallon of it sitting arround! LOL

 

Why don't you throw some money at D. and ask him to powdercoat them for you?

 

There ya go they aren't chrome, jus chrome paint. That's 4 months after i painted them, no washing at all.

Aaron

 

You could sell you rlightbar and pay for them to be powdercoated. HAHA J/K

 

Yeah really... Well I think I will stick to paint (free) for now and if it fails I will reconsider powder coat.

 

No more than two coats of clear!!!

 

What will the clear coat do for me? Does it just help protect the paint and finish?

 

Hey Doc...if you want to get every thing off including the finish to make it easyer to paint just use Muradic Acid...it takes the finnish all the way down. A guy at a body shop im in every day told thats the way to do it just spray the acid on there then power wash them...you will see the finnish come off more and more ech time we do. you can find the acid at most hardwear shops.

 

If the paint you are using is a base coat you MUST use clear. otherwise, yes it will help the paint from coming off the first time they get scratched, and it will allow the finish to be deeper(as in the shine)

 

Ok, I am not sure if it is a base coat or not. Prob is. as for the Acid I get it in 55 gal drums.. LOL (use it for the construction company.

 

That will work, but you must still use lacquer thinner and some scotch bright to finish the prep work to paint them....