How To: Paint Rims

[MattZX3]

Well a little story first:

Nate(2007zx3stick) and i worked on painting his wheels on monday.

Nate:




Me:


He bought a set of svt 5 spokes from a friend for 150 bucks. Tires were shot, and the rims had been painted black.

There was a decent amount of scratching and chipping from the paint, so nate decided to give it some nice new paint.

While we were working on it, we decided to take pics and share the paint process with everyone...

The first thing we did was gather the materials.

-A few cans of flat black primer
-Scotch brite scuff pads
-Tape
-Spray paint sprayers... you can find them at home depot or the like for under 20 bucks, and definately dont try painting wheels without these, their life savers.

Also, some drinks, becuase we were thirsty

The first few steps we didnt take pics for, but are pretty easy

First, nate had the tires unmounted from the rims

Remove center caps, if applicable

Then start your scuffing. Its not necessary to remove all of the old paint, but make sure you scuff and or sand to remove all the uneven spots. Get rid of everything that could cause paint imperfections. Scuffing also creates a surface for the new paint to stick to, without scuffing up the paint, the new coats of paint will not adhere properly, and create MORE work later on

after the scuffing, rims should look similar to this:




after your done scuffing, its a good idea to clean them thoroughly.

we used paper towel and rubbing alcohol.

make sure to clean all the debris off the rims, as you dont want anything there to muck up your new paint

after we used the alcohol and paper towels, we went over the rims once more with some clean, lint free rags, just to make sure there was no paper towel residue


Now you can begin your primer coats.

Your first coat should be light, make sure to get in all the hard to reach spots first, inside spokes and whatnot.

Your second coat should be a medium coat, even as possible.

Primer is essential, it will give a better, and even surface for your paint to stick to.

after primering, should look like this



After your primer has dried for a bit, depending on the type you use, you can start your paint

Again, first coat should be nice and light, getting in all the spots that are hard to get to

according to the wheel paint we were using, you had to wait ten minutes between coats.

the second coat should be a medium to light coat, evenly sprayed

another ten minutes, and the third coat.

The third coat we went a little heavier on. not too thick to where its dripping, just enough to get good coverage


first and second coats










after the third coat



Also note that we did not paint the lips or spokes. this is becuase they will not remain silver.

more to come in a week or so :)

[Sponsor]

[Blackcatn2o]

Dude that is a sweet as car behind nate!!

[avengerc4]

nice write up! Now go ahead and take that pic off of you and the spray can :)

Now I kinda wanna do somethin to my rims...hmmm ;)

[MattZX3]

lol joe

im thinking about doing something with the rims ill be getting, but idk yet

[zx360]

looks great so far! w00t

[2007ZX3Stick]

Im Nate that is my G/F's Fathers 1930 Stock Model A basically the first focus. what i am planning on doing is a 2 tone paint. the spokes and lip are going to be gloss black and the insides of the spokes will be silver. i just got back from checking out the rims tonight and dropping of the rubber that is going on the rims. i bought a set of 215/45/17 BFG KDW 2s and will have them mounted by the 25th provided everything dries by then. here is a pic of the tires when i got them off the UPS truck durring lunch at work.

like Matt said there will more to come in a week because im giving a one week cure time between colors so the tape doesnt rip up the silver. i am also going to use sticky wheel weights instead of the beat on metal ones that ruin your rims. (so help me god if anyone ever puts those on my rims heads will roll) these rims are going to be summer only rims because i have my stock 15in steelies that i can use durring the winter with the Hankook tires (dont like them but dont have the money to buy acctual snow tires right now). so that is all i hope you guys enjoy and i will have more pic up in about a week or so.

[eliaslincoln]

Originally Posted by 2007ZX3Stick

amazing choice of tires, high five!

[2007ZX3Stick]

thanks took alot of talking to alot of people. zx360 pointed me in the right direction so he can have all the credit on that one

[Klondike]

damn nate, good job, loosk well, now get em on your car and have fun

[2007ZX3Stick]

in due time my friend in due time. perfection takes heart and soul and i want perfection