How to paint rims

[adey]

I just bought a pair of 2-piece rims that have had the center section (the 'mesh' ) painted (apparently spray-) gold. I don't know what the original color was, but would like to get rid of all the gold spraypaint (that has been slightly oversprayed onto the once-polished lip).

How should I go about doing this? I don't suppose I can just sand it down, can I? I don't want to spend too much cash bringing it in to a rim repair shop to have it professionally polished then clearcoated (how much does that cost?) and would like to do it myself if possible.

What kind of paint should I buy if I want to re-paint it and how would I go about painting it? I imagine properly dismantling each rim (into the two piece) to paint then reassemble would be the best way to do it, but that sounds expensive. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/whatsthat.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':whatthe:'>

Thanks! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[tzonni]

how do i delete my accidentaly duplicated post?
see my next post

[tzonni]

well, if you want to get the gold off, i dont know how, if your lucky (and ONLY if your lucky) simple green or purple cleaner might work, depending on how long the paint has been on, or if there is no protective coating over it, if that doest work, i dont know what to tell you, try simple green first, then try purple cleaner (its stronger, if you can find it).

if your planning on painting the whole rim get some Paint Stripper, and let it do its magic, it might take off the original clear coat of the rim but it should work if the Simple Green and Purple Cleaner dont.

Honestly, you should just take them to get them professionally done, the Rim Spray Paint is nowhere near as durable as a professional powdercoating. If you got this route, they are going to take all the protective coatings off the wheel till its bare metal, then they will polish them or powder coat them, whatever you choose.

Whatever way you want to do it, a Do it yourself Rim Job is going to be nowhere as near as durable, plus that spray paint will start chipping soon.

[camppain]

try to look for some paint remover. but dont get harsh stuff get something for light applicationsi painted my s14 wheels gunmetal using duplicolors wheel paint came out real nice also i just painted my buddies 02 altima 3.5 rims then we hit them wwith duplicolors wheel paint clear coat.

use some fine grit sandpaper to roughen up and clean the surface and then apply light coats

[kanekz]

Try the Simple Green and the paint stipper. &nbsp;If that doesnt work though, just start sanding the rim down with the fine grain sand paper. &nbsp;This will diminish the clearcoat, as well as make the surface more pro-adhesive. &nbsp;Then just pain it down and clearcloat if desired. &nbsp;

I used High Heat Engine Paint from Kragen, which I think duplicolor makes. &nbsp;Gunmetal as well.

[GamblerZ]

You mentioned that you have "mesh" style wheels. &nbsp;Do not try to sand the paint off. &nbsp;You will find that this will be a monumental undertaking. &nbsp;Take the wheels to a paint shop of powdercoating specialist. &nbsp;I have never seen home fabbed painted wheels last more than a year without suffering rock chips, pitting and staining.

Trust me. &nbsp;You are better off paying a little now rather than going through all that work only to have it professionally redone later.

[adey]

First of all, thanks for the responses guys...

Secondly, if I decide to go at it myself, will paint thinner (like simple green/XX purple) harm any sealant/stickative/glue that may be keeping the two pieces together? I realize there are more than a dozen bolts that probably have a purpose (i.e. keeping the wheel together) but would a paint thinner have any negative effects on these or any sort of adhesive between the two pieces?
Thanks. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[tzonni]

it probobly will, i never thought of that before.

[uiuc240]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (adey @ Sep. 04 2002,08:31)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">First of all, thanks for the responses guys...

Secondly, if I decide to go at it myself, will paint thinner (like simple green/XX purple) harm any sealant/stickative/glue that may be keeping the two pieces together? I realize there are more than a dozen bolts that probably have a purpose (i.e. keeping the wheel together) but would a paint thinner have any negative effects on these or any sort of adhesive between the two pieces?
Thanks. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
there shouldn't be any adhesive there. &nbsp;not strong enough. &nbsp;the halves are bolted together. &nbsp;

paint stripper is a bitch to work with. &nbsp;after it melts the paint off, you have to GET the paint off. &nbsp;hard to explain. &nbsp;very messy job.

seriously, for less than $200 shipped, you could have these professionally stripped and powdercoated. &nbsp;just do that.

Eric

[adey]

less than 200 shipped? ... &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> &nbsp;That's what bothers me: I paid just over 200 for two (Volk/Rays) rims...! I was hoping to keep costs down to under 100... but I'll look around to see if anyone does this sort of stuff locally.
Thanks for the info, everyone!