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DIY painting your wheels

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:58 pm
by fecat
Hello,

anyone can share their experience of painting their own wheels? how difficult is it? how much do you expect to spend to DIY and take it to the shop and have it done professionally? Walking about 16" here.

anyone have a guide or step by step instruction which they can post or link here?

any special paint for the wheels? if the wheel has gutted damage, would it be appropriate to paint or should it be repaired first?

thanks

Felix

DIY painting your wheels

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:09 pm
by 16bit
1: remove wheels from car
2: if you intend on doing a really really good job remove tyres - not really a must though - if this step is taken skip tyre part of step 8 only.
3: clean the wheels with degreaser - very thoroughly.
4: rinse wheels
5: lightly sand with 360 plus grit sandpaper - not a must - if this step is skipped go straight to step 8
6: clean with soapy water
7: rinse wheels
8: mask of tyres and valves
9: do one moderate coat of etch primer (dulux is great) - let dry - NOTE: optional to do both sides, I personally did
10: repeat step 9
11: paint wheels with uht wheel paint in desired colour with light coat then let dry for indicated time on can - any good automotive or heat resistant spray paint if you can't get uht will do. just make sure that the kind of etch primer and the kind of paint is compatable
12: repeat step 12 at least 2 more times.
13: put wheels back on car
14: drink beer.

DIY painting your wheels

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:19 pm
by Fatty
hey did you notice there is a "MX5 Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres" section of the forum? i wonder, if you look in there, do you reckon there might be some information about this? just a thought.

i mean , you never know your luck. maybe someone has done a really fantastic write up about this very subject recently.

DIY painting your wheels

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:16 pm
by bigdog
Nah... wouldn't think so Fatty, I mean what are the chances of that happening? 8)

DIY painting your wheels

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:27 pm
by Hammer
fecat wrote:Hello,

anyone can share their experience of painting their own wheels? how difficult is it? how much do you expect to spend to DIY and take it to the shop and have it done professionally? Walking about 16" here.

anyone have a guide or step by step instruction which they can post or link here?

any special paint for the wheels? if the wheel has gutted damage, would it be appropriate to paint or should it be repaired first?

thanks

Felix


Check out Green Comet's thread. It talks about exactly this.

I just got myself some cheap alloys that I'll practice on. Green Comet makes it sound doable. I hope it is. 8)

DIY painting your wheels

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:30 pm
by Steampunk
Fatty wrote:hey did you notice there is a "MX5 Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres" section of the forum? i wonder, if you look in there, do you reckon there might be some information about this? just a thought.

i mean , you never know your luck. maybe someone has done a really fantastic write up about this very subject recently.


Didn't I ask you to go take a shower?
Maybe a bath?..... yeah.... a nice loooong bath :mrgreen:

DIY painting your wheels

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:17 pm
by fecat
thanks guys, will check out the Green Comet's thread.

BTW, I have been quoted from a Body Shop in Artarmon $250 per wheel. isn't that a bit steep? what is the street price to have it done? let say in bronze, 16"?

DIY painting your wheels

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:18 pm
by green_comet
I love you Fatty.... :wink:

DIY painting your wheels

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:21 pm
by bensale
I also believe there are threads by CheyneX5 and feel_ixx who have recently painted some there wheels. Possibly you'll find some good info in those. Have a bit of a search and I'm sure you'll find heaps of info.