Diy Wheel Respray - Tips Please!

[xntrq]

Recently picked up a set of LMGT4s from n15m0 and looking to respray them to black with bare lip. whats the best way of removing ALL of the paint and respraying it to black? I'm not too keen on sanding since I'd like to preserve the diamond cut lip.

I also heard sandblasting or powder coating will weaken the wheels strength.

[iwanta34gtr]

Mask the lip.

When I paint rims I just lightly scuff the surface with fine grade wet and dry and then spray the required coats.

If your using a fine grade and mask up the lip, you should be fine.

[xntrq]

there appears to be some kind of fungi growth underneath the clear coat. need to scrub that off somehow.

[SiNNO]

+1 mask the lips.

I've done this a couple of times on different set of rims, and it's time consuming if you want to get it right lol.

Basically sanded > primed > base coat > clear coat. Turned out schmick but if I had to do it again, I'd just get it powder coated lol.. though I'm a lazy fuark

[xntrq]

thinking of just taking it to the spray painters now lol, easier that way.

[iwanta34gtr]

there appears to be some kind of fungi growth underneath the clear coat. need to scrub that off somehow.

Are you positive it is under clear?

I suggest you try autosol metal polish either by hand or with a mothers powerball attached to a drill.

Hopefully you are surprised with the results.

[Crazy Xav]

+1 for autosol. Used it to clean up the lip of my wheels. they had really bad staining and rust marks, would hardly know now had quite a sore arm afterwards though.

[qskes]

if u haven't painted the wheels yet, a good thing to always do is "flick the paint" just nice quick layers of paint (4) then use the clear (3).

its what we do for cars, same seems to work for wheels.

[kyle345]

From my experience of painting my own rims, preparation is the key

Just keep sanding the paint back until you get it real nice and smooth, you only need to take the clear coat off because paint best sticks to paint, or if youve got scuff marks sand it right back to the primer and use filler primer to get it nice and smooth again, then paint, then clear coat.

I got a real nice Gloss black on mine for all 4 rims cost under $40

[xntrq]

what grade sand paper should I use for the original paint that was on there? original as in from Rays.

[Ants]

Mate if scuffs are minimal:

P600 grit wet and dry for sanding back paint, then

P1200 grit wet and dry sand paper for super fine finish

And as Kyle said, preparation is the real key for painting as spray painting is usually the easy and exciting bit.

Edited February 18, 2013 by Ants

[sydking]

use a nice soft sandpaper, Just enough to add little scratches for the primer to stick on, 2 coats of primer then paint then with a few coats, Depending on the finish use a clear coat or a shiny clear coat

Mine came out looking good for under $50, Though powder coating is much much preferred. Contact Craved coatings

[B-rice]

maybe a bit old but powder coating will weaken your wheels. Especially if the temp is above 305 degrees your likely to change the crystals of the metal and create stress concentrators. When done in factory its fine because they test the wheels and have much more control.Not worth risking to your expensive wheels.

[Daleo]

Powdercoating is generally done in the low 200 degree range; so it shouldn't be an issue.