How To: Paint Your Wheels (Pics) [Archive] - GrandAmGT.com Forum

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Pacman
08-18-2004, 03:42 AM
ok, i haven't done a how to before but thought i'd give it a shot. well, let's get started...

Before you start: This procedure takes a good amount of time, dedication, and requires some skill at spray painting. Do not attempt if you cannot finish... well i mean... cause people might look at your one colored wheel and laugh... well i would... anyways... here we go!

Tools and Items Needed (i even took pics so you guys know what to look for):

1 Air Mask
1 Set of Goggles
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8449523232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2335%3D%3A94%3D444%3 DXROQDF%3E23235%3A%3B8775%3A%3Bot1lsi

Several Pairs of Latex Gloves
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8449523232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2335%3D%3A94%3D444%3 DXROQDF%3E23235%3A%3B87798%3Aot1lsi

3-4 Cans of Duplicolor Wheel Paint (I used 3 cans of Graphite Grey)
2-3 Cans of Duplicolor Clear Coat (I used 2 cans of Clear Coat)
1 Bottle of Rubbing Alcohol
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8449523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2335%3D%3A94%3D444%3 DXROQDF%3E23235%3A%3B878856ot1lsi

1 Jack
2 Jack Stands (Do not attempt this without it)
1 Torque Wrench
1 Set of 100 Index Cards (Why? You ask... You'll see in a sec)
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8449523232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2335%3D%3A94%3D444%3 DXROQDF%3E23235%3A%3B87%3A%3B%3C6ot1lsi

1 Roll of Masking Tape
1 Block of Sand Blaster (320)
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8449523232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2335%3D%3A94%3D444 %3DXROQDF%3E23235%3A%3B8767%3A%3Aot1lsi

1 Timer
Several Cups of Water
Several Pieces of Toilet Paper

Now then, here are the Steps:
1)Jack car up, place jack stands under car (secure areas of the car only)
2)Take off wheel(s) of your choice
3)Get comfortable, preferably in a sitting position, and use the Sand Blaster 320 to scuff your wheels. Pour water periodically onto the wheel while scuffing. This will make the surface of the rim roughly and will help paint stick easier to the wheel. This might take awhile depending on the kind of rims you have
4)Afterwards, clean wheel fully (i used dish soap and do not touch the wheel with your bare hands after the wash. this will get oils from your hand onto the rim and will not allow paint to stick as well)
5)Let wheel dry completely
6)Put on Latex Gloves. Next we will get the rubbing alcohol...
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8449523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2335%3D%3A94%3D444%3 DXROQDF%3E23235%3A%3B87%3A444ot1lsi
Warning: Do not drink alcohol as it is bad for your liver and such

Apply the alcohol liberally onto the wheel with a rag
7)Let the wheel set till the alcohol is no longer visible on the wheel
8)With gloves still on, mask off any parts of the wheel you do not want to paint using the Masking Tape (ie the valve stem area, center caps, etc)
9)Lay the wheel onto the ground and get the Index Cards. Place the cards in between the wheel and the tire... like so...
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8449523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2335%3D%3A94%3D444%3 DXROQDF%3E23235%3A%3B87885%3Aot1lsi
Walla! No need to mask off the whole tire

10)Stuff the lug openings of the wheel using Toilet Paper (this will ensure you can get the wheel back on the car when done. no one wants clogged or paint filled holes. which is a good thing right?)
11)Now, get 1 Can of Duplicolor Paint. Follow the directions indicated on the can of paint (do not skip reading the directions on the can)
12)Paint 1 coat at a time. Allow a minimum of 10 mins between each coat (spray lightly and evenly onto the wheel. i used 3 coats total on the outer side of the wheel and 2 coats on the inside of the wheel)
13)Now that you're done painting the wheel, get the Duplicolor Clear Coat. Again, read the directions on the can. again, wait 10 min between coats (i used 2 coats on the inside and outside of the wheel)
14)Let the wheel set and dry. If unsure the wheel is dry or not, lightly brush your finger on the rim. if it feels sticky, let the wheel sit for longer
15)Once dry, unmask the wheel carefully
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8449523232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2335%3D%3A94%3D444%3 DXROQDF%3E23235%3A%3B878696ot1lsi

16)Mount the wheel(s) onto the car
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8449523232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2335%3D%3A94%3D444 %3DXROQDF%3E23235%3A%3B877%3A7%3Bot1lsi

Words of Wisdom:
*The process took me about 2 days (1pm-Dark) and could take longer
*I do not recommend using aircraft stripper instead of the sand blaster bar. this stuff is deadly and will KILL your rim (i know)
*Do NOT use anyother type of paint. use wheel paint ONLY! high temp paint, engine paint, caliper paint, etc are big NO NO's (once again i would know)
*When mounting your wheel back, remember to tighten the lugs in a 'star' formation
*Remeber to torque your wheels. it should be 100 ft/lbs
*TAKE YOUR TIME!! The more time you put into it, the better quality the rim will be

A Big Thanks goes out to VinniGT for helping me out for a full day! Not many people i know would do that

Questions, comments, and suggestions are all welcome. Enjoy!

edit: pics are back up :)

sicc
08-18-2004, 04:11 AM
ahahha the faces you made are hilarious. the eyebrow lol
*if ya smeeeeeell... what the pac.... is cookin*

good how to :thumbs:

edit: whoa... after posting this some of your images arent working.. says they dont permit linking... some still show up if u refresh.. weird

mr_eh
08-18-2004, 08:20 AM
pacman what do you do for a living?

and, full body shot.

edit: OF THE CAR....

zootelevision
08-18-2004, 10:17 AM
Thanks for the how-to. Very informative, and well done! Now if I only had the artistic skill and guts do try it on my wheels, things would be great! I'd love to paint mine white to match my car. What kind of rim is that in your photo?

Pacman
08-18-2004, 02:21 PM
thanks for the compliments :)
if problems persist with the pics, i'm going to use cardomain as a host. it should work if you hit refresh. i dont know why it doesnt allow linking. thanks for letting me know
i'll be taking some full body shots in a couple days when it stops raining. i'll be sure to post up asap
right now i don't work because of the upcoming school semester. earlier this summer i was working at Anchor Blue as a sales rep
my rims are enkei rs-5's. i believe enkei stopped making and they only come in a silver color

vinniGT
08-19-2004, 02:03 AM
Thanks for the thanks Dan. That thing i piiimp now :irate:

p.s. -super showcar secrets-


black high temp paint and clear coating makes a great tire shine :thumbs: (jk)

Pacman
08-19-2004, 02:15 AM
p.s. -super showcar secrets-


black high temp paint and clear coating makes a great tire shine :thumbs:


oh course! who needs armorall!?! :rolleyes:

Pacman
08-19-2004, 10:08 PM
pacman what do you do for a living?

and, full body shot.

edit: OF THE CAR....

here you go! :)
http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40155

Pacman
09-14-2004, 11:02 PM
well, almost a month now and the wheels are doing good. no cracking, peeling, scratching, etc.

btw, if there are any GA's wanting a bronze look, here's your answer. my friend painted his shortly after me and they turned out great as well :thumbs: here's some pics

97' Jetta VR6
http://speedlabperformance.com/902pics/DSC00004.JPG

a closer look
http://speedlabperformance.com/902pics/DSC00011.JPG

nate2023
10-06-2007, 12:06 AM
These wheels came out GREAT!

zootelevision
10-06-2007, 01:56 PM
Has anyone ever painted chrome-tec's? If so, did it turn out good, or is it even possible to paint over them?

gaowners32
03-27-2008, 08:40 AM
From the dead to the stop cause NEWBS don't search.

ridefas78
04-08-2008, 10:12 PM
Has anyone ever painted chrome-tec's? If so, did it turn out good, or is it even possible to paint over them?

yea how do you do crome wheeles?

PhantomLover007
04-09-2008, 03:24 AM
Aren't the chrome part of the wheels actually a sort of plastic cover..

geldartb
04-09-2008, 10:49 AM
yeah they are a plastic cover. i painted mine and all i did was sand the plastic a little to rough it up and painted and cleared them.
its been 2yrs and there holding up good no chipping or cracking or paint missing.

mikep1987
04-09-2008, 05:45 PM
How do you guys go about dealing with balancing weights? Take them off? Paint over them?

geldartb
04-09-2008, 09:56 PM
yeah about the weights i kinda just painted over them which thats the only spot i have to fix on one wheel.

but im sure you could go to the tire place and have them re balance the tires and mount them on the backside. which is what im doing next time.

this is the only real close pic i have of mine just click the link its a big pic

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h5/95blackz26/Grand%20Am/Picture-054.jpg

cardude007617
04-10-2008, 12:01 AM
hmm these stock GT rims look kinda good painted black.....