wheel paint question?

370guy

So im going to paint my wheels, and i have a couple question. First is, is there some sort of etching primer i can use that will eliminate the need for sanding? and Second, what type of primer/paint would work best for durability in the long run?

TMAN1985

Dont feel like having them powder coated? I paid $200 total to have mine powder coated....

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HKS HI-POWER EXHAUST|Stillen Gen 3 Intake|Berk HFC|UpRev tune|Swift SPEC-R Springs|H&R Spacers|EVO-R Lip|EVO-R High Wing|SPC Front/Rear Camber Arms|Hardwired Escort 9500ix

370guy

well my thought process was that if i paint them myself and they turn out good then i can that money in other places, but i dont like the way they turn out i will take them to get powder coated then.

TMAN1985

Ohh I see...I think paint chips really easy...I spray painted my grill front fangs on the Z and it started chipping in a week...ended up having to have it professionally done

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HKS HI-POWER EXHAUST|Stillen Gen 3 Intake|Berk HFC|UpRev tune|Swift SPEC-R Springs|H&R Spacers|EVO-R Lip|EVO-R High Wing|SPC Front/Rear Camber Arms|Hardwired Escort 9500ix

corbin09

It does not chip easily if you do it right. I always sand them down really good, I usually use 400 then 600 then 800 then primer 3 coats, paint 3-4 coats and clear 4-5 coats. It really will take you a full day to do them right. Dont skimp out on the prep... 95% of the time that is why people who paint them say they dont last.

kenchan

sanding is preferred even for primer but duplicolor sells primers for wheel paint.

if you're going cheap i would use that followed by their wheel spray.

Eric

For $200, it's definitely worth the price in having them powder coated by someone else.

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kenchan

i suppose if you include shipping and mount/balance it will be more like $400 at the end...(?)

painting the wheels is by far the most economical as you dont even have to remove the tires and no shipping involved. just patience and time. ofcourse in my casei dont have much time to spare so i'd probably drop them off at a wheel repair shop to have them painted professionally.

370guy

I'm going to try and paint them. I enjoy doing stuff myself. But if for some reason they don't out PERFECT (I'm OCD when it comes to my car haha) I will have no hesitation in having the powder coated

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TypeOne

I think it really depends on what you define as the "right" way to do it...

Powdercoating can be done right and it will last. But if it does chip, you're screwed.

I've had a few sets of powedercoated wheels on my old track cars and while they looked great, they started to chip around the lug holes and hub of the wheel. Since, I started having wheels scuffed up, shot with etching primer and then having them sprayed single stage paint.

I haven't had a wheel chip since. My Weds we done that exact way and still look brand new. Got chips? Get some touch up paint that is mixed specifically for the color on the wheel.

The most expensive part about it was having the tires demounted / mounted and rebalanced after.

Not to mention, with single stage paint, you aren't limited to any particular color... anything is possible.