I'm making this thread b/c of the numerous ?'s i get about my wheels, I should've made this a long time ago. Sorry no pix of the actual work in progress.
!!!CAUTION!!!CAUTION!!!CAUTION!!!CAUTION!!! THIS DOES TAKE SOME SKILL, NOT FOR BEGINNERS.....
SKILL LEVEL 1-10
8.0
There ARE many ways to do this but this is how i did mine, all in the same day.
TOTAL TIME: ABOUT 8hrs
PREPARATION
1: Take wheel off of the car and demount tire from rim.
2: Clean the rim w/soap & water, then with pre-clean solution.
3: Mask off part of rim u don't want painted.
4: Sand rim w/600 grit sandpaper or wet sand w/400grit.
5: Blow off the rim then clean rim w/ pre-clean solution again. And wipe with a tack cloth.
6: Mix paint if needed. Have the proper spray guns available.
APPLYING PAINT
7: Spray rims with a light coat of paint. Wait 5-10min.
8: Spray 2nd coat on rims be sure to cover everything u want painted w/paint. Wait 10-15min or.........
9: I put 3 coats but not necessary if u feel the rim is fully covered in paint. (I just wanted to be sure). Wait 10-15min.
CLEARING
10: Have your clearcoat ready. Spray 1st coat on lightly. Just enough so the clear could grab onto the surface. You don't want this coat too wet or it might peel. Wait 5-10min.
11: Spray 2nd coat on pretty wet. !!!CAUTION!!! this does take some skill to apply or else the clear might run/sag. Wait 10-15min.
12: Once again a 3rd coat is not needed but I put one on. Refer to 2nd coat for application & wait time.
13: If done at a real body shop: Bake in spray booth @ 160 degrees (not sure on the temperature, it's been quite a while since I painted) for 30mins.
14: Let cool for 10-15min. Then turn the heat back on for another 30mins.
15: Repeat step 14 again.
FINISHED PAINTING
16: Take off masking tape/paper (Rims might still be HOT).
17: Mount tire on rim. If done correctly the rim shouldn't get scratched.
18: Mount wheel on car.
19: Rims are safe to wash w/water
ONLY for the 1st day or two.
20: Step back and look at ur work
.
CENTER CAP
21: Same process as rims. I just added a decal/sticker.
I hope this helped......
A few pix of my rims.
