Topic: Painted Rims How To

[AvyPrncss]

Ok so I had a member ask me to type up a how to on painting the factory alloy rims. So here it is. Unfortunately I don't have any step by step pictures but I'll try to see if I can get some off my camera whenever I get back to New York.

Supplies needed: Scotchbrite pad (preferably the red color one you can get at an automotive store, if not the green one will work too, it'll just take a little more time and energy.), duplicator wheel paint, adhesion promoter, rim cleaner for alloy wheels, fine grit sandpaper (180)

Optional supplies: automotive painters tape (green painters tape), acetone (nail polish remover 100% acetone from any drug store) drop cloth, straight edge razor blade, large index cards, masking tape, canned air

1. After removing the center cap and the tire make sure you wash the rim with any type of alloy rim cleaner. I used ICE rim cleaner for alloy rims. Then I washed them with regular dish soap and water to remove any left over residue. You need to make sure before you begin any other step that the rim is clean and completely dry. Both sides and all crevices in the rim need to be dry.

2. Using the scothbrite pad firmly scuff all sections of the rim that are going to be painted.  Make sure you scuff the entire section of the rim you are going to be painted completely.

3. Use sandpaper to lightly go over all scuffed parts of the rim. Go in a circular motion in small circle over the entire scuffed sections. Using the canned air or a clean lint free cloth remove all dust from scuffing and sanding.

4. If you want to paint the entire rim leaving no stock coloring on the rim skip this step. Tape off areas to be left unpainted. If taping off indented areas cover entire are with tape leaving edges sticking up over flat part of rim. After taping entire section use straight edge favor to trim off any excess tape. The easiest way to cut off extra tape is to lay the sharp edge of the razor on a 45 degree angle to the flat part of the rim and trace the outline of the section. Don't worry about scratching the rim because it should already be scuffed and if you noticeably scratch it you can just re scuff that section. If you are painting just the accents on the wheel tape off the entire rim and use the straight edge razor to outline the inside of the accents.

5. If you are painting the rim without the tires mounted skip this step. Use several large index cards and slip them between the rim and tire with the longer side down. Make sure you overlap the index cards by at least 1/4 to 1/2 the size of the card. Use the masking tape to connect every single index card to the next card. Once you have completely went around the rim run a single piece of tape around all the index cards to make sure that they don't move while painting. If you have stock weights that clip onto the rim you will have to touch up the paint on the rim when you have new tires mounted and the weights moved.

6. Now that the rims are all cleaned, scuffed, and masked you have almost finished all your prep work. The last step to prep work is to use the adhesion promoter. Spray an even, light coat of adhesion promoter over the entire rim. Make sure you cover the entire rim. I sprayed half the rim by standing on the opposite side and spraying, then went around the other side of the tire and sprayed the other half.

7. Now your prep work is done time to start painting. Make sure you shake the can of wheel paint very well and spray the wheel with and even coat of color. Spray it just as you would any other spray paint. Short spray 6-8" away from the wheel. Let dry for approximately 1/2 an hour and apply a second coat. Repeat spraying until you reach the desired shade but no more then 4 coats.

8. Let all wheels dry for at least 2 hours before installing back on truck.

Part B.
If you want to have the center caps match the rest of the rims you can follow the same instructions. However if doing the center caps do not use the sandpaper. Make sure you still use the Scotchbrite pad though. I painted my center caps to matched and the just made the bow tie in the center of cap a different color. Here is a write up on how to do that.

Additional supplies needed: testors paint pen in whichever color you want the bow tie in the center.

1. Prep center cap the same way you prepped the wheel. Tape off bow tie with green tape. be careful when cutting back tape because the razor will cut the cap. The caps are plastic.

2. Do not spray cap with adhesion promoter. Spray cap with whichever paint you choose for the cap color. Let dry 1/2 hr and apply 2d coat.

3. After 2 coats let dry for an hr. Peel off tape.

4. Using paint pen color in bow tie. Let dry 2 hrs. Install on truck.

Hope this helps guys.