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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: INGERSOL on July 26, 2004, 02:21:22 AM

Title: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: INGERSOL on July 26, 2004, 02:21:22 AM
OK, I decided to wait until next year for the new wheel/tires.  But in the meantime, I want to change the look of the truck a little.  

I want to paint my steel wheels black.  I hate sanding.  >:( I hate sanding so much.  Any advice on painting a steel wheel (that seems to have a layer of clearcoat on it already) that wont involve sanding?

Has anybody tried to apply rhinoliner or any of that "pickup truck bed spray" stuff to a set of steel wheels?  I hear that stuff is incredibly durable.  I saw a commercial on TV where they sprayed a concrete block with rhinoliner and threw it off a 5 storey building.  The block bounced!  It didn't shatter or crumble...it bounced.  I hear you don't need to do much prep work before applying this stuff (see: I hate sanding comment above).  

Any advice opinions?
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: Bigzook on July 26, 2004, 02:32:09 AM
if you can find a cheap place to do it , have them powdercoated.
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: INGERSOL on July 26, 2004, 03:02:56 AM
American Racing makes some el-cheapo steel wheels (chrome, white, black) for $50 each. This project involves only my own labour and some paint.  No big dollars.  And powdercoating costs money.  

Other suggestions?
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: d-mcg on July 26, 2004, 03:06:15 AM
you could sandblast them.
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: INGERSOL on July 26, 2004, 03:07:10 AM
Do you have to remove the tire from the rim to sandblast?
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: d-mcg on July 26, 2004, 03:33:16 AM
not too sure, but i think it would be a good idea to take the tire off. mabey tape it off?
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: explosivo on July 26, 2004, 03:40:05 AM
Tape it at the very least...
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: INGERSOL on July 26, 2004, 07:36:33 AM
Do you have to sand if your going to spray automotive paint onto the wheels?  I hate sanding, and sand blasting will cost money.  Next year I plan on getting a new set of wheels...so this painting thing is just a temporary step until the replacement (thats why is supposed to be a low-bock, no-buck project).
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: JokerWhiskey on July 26, 2004, 07:49:20 AM
if you're only going to have them for a short time, just rough them up a little with some sandpaper , rinse 'em, throw a coat of primer on them. then spray em with whatever color you're going to use and call it good.
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: 87Sam87 on July 26, 2004, 08:51:06 AM
You may want to try some Appliance Paint they use for ovens. You can get it at Home Depot. You could also try a heavy duty Epoxy Paint that you can also get at Home Depot. I don't know if you'd have to sand to use these paints or not.
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: Rhinoman on July 26, 2004, 09:07:31 AM
I use a wire brush attachment on an angle grinder, its a lot faster and a lot less effort than sanding and leaves a nice finish for ther paint to key to. I find the flat type with the wires sticking out the diameter much more effective than the cup type. I prepped an entire 410 chassis using this method, took a while but was a good job.
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: TN_Tracker on July 26, 2004, 09:25:13 AM
Like Rhinoman said, wire wheel on a grinder or you can use one in a drill. I did and it worked great. There is also a product called Liquid Sandpaper and it works fine on stationary stuff but I don't know if it would give a good enough "tooth" for painting wheels.
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: Maiden Hell on July 26, 2004, 10:21:02 AM
Quote
if you're only going to have them for a short time, just rough them up a little with some sandpaper , rinse 'em, throw a coat of primer on them. then spray em with whatever color you're going to use and call it good.


That's exactly what I do once a year.  My rims look rather sharp, if I do say so myself.  :P
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: explosivo on July 26, 2004, 10:22:52 AM
Just grab the wire brush you use to clean your barbeque, rough up the wheels, and brush on Rustoleum ;)
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: 90Stomper on July 26, 2004, 01:50:29 PM
i wanted to do the same thing once and just used soapy water and steel wool, rinsed it off, dried, cut a peice of cardboard like a moon and bought some cheep wally world satin black for about 2 bucks a can.  i just wanted to get through the winter.  they looked so good and lasted almost 4 yrs before i changed them.  no other prep and no primer, they were that crapy silver before. :P
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: 92Sidekick4x4 on July 26, 2004, 07:34:55 PM
i sand blasted mine, then primed them and then painted them, they turnd out great
Title: Re: PAINTING STEEL WHEELS
Post by: Charlie on July 26, 2004, 07:42:19 PM
We do powdercoating where I work and I can assure you plain enamel paint sticks OK to powdercoat, in fact we often use it to touch up if the paints a bit thin. I painted my wheels with thin coats from a spray can, the main problem you get orange peel due to oil wax contamination, just use lots of thin coats.  

Regards Charlie