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View Full Version : How to: Paint your OEM wheels

mblouir
10-31-2009, 09:42 AM
I wrote this quite a while back (as you can tell from the truck), but thought it would be a good add here. It's an amazingly cheap way to drastically change the look of your truck if you want black wheels. When I did it it was to determine if I'd like black wheels on my truck or not. I've followed up with several guys that followed this how-to and none of them have had chipping problems. The only issue is whether or not to remove the wheel balance before painting. :lol:



First off props to zeruin for giving me the quick run-down on how to do this. I'm by no means an expert, but I thought I would share how I painted my wheels in case anyone else wanted to do the same. It is a good way to save some money and completely change the look of your truck. I'll post the way I did mine, although some of the steps are optional.


First you'll need your material:
-Duplicolor wheel paint
-Duplicolor clear coat
-Self-etching primer
-Spray can gun
-Degreaser
-Towel
-Brillo pads
-Spray bottle
-400 grit sandpaper
-Sanding block
-Masking tape
-Index cards
-Newspaper

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00920.jpg









The first thing I did was wipe down the wheels with some simple green to clean them up.
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00921.jpg








Then I used some brillo pads to scuff them up a bit and to completely remove all traces of dirt and grime. I kept my wheels really clean so this wasn't too bad, although it may be harder if your wheels are coated in crap.
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00923.jpg








After brillo pads:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00924.jpg








Then take a sanding block and sandpaper and go to town. This was the most tedious step, as you want to make sure to scuff everything up so you have a good bonding surface for the paint. I ripped up some small pieces of sandpaper to get in the smaller grooves. Then use some more degreaser and make sure everything is cleaned up nicely.
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00929.jpg








Now mask off your wheels. I used some index cards between the wheel and tire and then masked off the surrounding tire with newspaper. I also stuffed some newspaper between the spokes to avoid painting the rotors. Now use some self-etching primer. I put on two light coats with about ten minutes between coats. Working around the truck with all four tires gives enough time so you shouldn't have to wait any--just keep moving. I was diggin' the army green color, although my neighbors were looking at me like I was crazy.
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00931.jpg








After letting the primer dry for 30 minutes or so it's time to paint. Grab some of the wheel paint and do light coats. This is always my problem as I like to lay on coats heavier to make sure it's covered evenly. Trust me, light coats and you'll be fine. The first and even second coats may not cover all parts of the wheel, but after a few more light coats it will look great. Same as with the primer, if you're working around all four wheels you shouldn't have to wait between coats.






After first coat (I still think I went too heavy here):
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00932.jpg





After five coats:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00935.jpg








I let the paint dry for 45 minutes and started the clear coat. I did four light coats using the same light coat principle. You can vary this based on how glossy you want your wheels to be. Looking back I wish I'd have done less clear and gone with a more matte finish since my tires are so faded.



After first coat:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00936.jpg




After four coats:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00937.jpg







Now just let it dry overnight and you'll be set. After the first hour of drying I suggest removing all newspaper and index cards. If you leave them on and let it dry completely there is a chance it will try and tear off some of the paint when you remove it.



Letting it dry:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00941.jpg




Newspaper removed:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00946.jpg














Hopefully this helps if anyone wants to or has been thinking about painting their wheels. It was a very simple process and I'm very happy with the results.




Finished product:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00943.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00985.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/DSC00987.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee30/mblouir/1116081206.jpg


Now I just need some new tires! :lol:


There you go. Hope this helps someone. I've known a few guys to paint their winter wheels with this method to keep the look.


Not a good idea with chrome wheels unless you have access to a sandblaster or something similar. Chrome will flake, guaranteed, unless you prep it really well.
Zembonez
10-31-2009, 09:44 AM
AND they look great on the black truck. I like Duplicolor's stuff. I use their bumper coating on my Jeep's plastic parts and they look like new. It holds up well too.

Thanks for the write-up.
Stumpuller6.2
10-31-2009, 09:49 AM
neat! :thumbs:
BlackStallion29
10-31-2009, 10:09 AM
Nice write up, and they look good. :thumbs:
Bigredmariner
10-31-2009, 10:12 AM
Thanks Matt we appreciate it, nice write up.:thumbs:
ryan_h
10-31-2009, 10:13 AM
Nice job, maybe I will try that this spring. Do the have gold?


























Yes I'm joking
mblouir
10-31-2009, 01:09 PM
Glad to add it! Hopefully it helps somebody down the line.

Nice job, maybe I will try that this spring. Do the have gold?





Yes I'm joking

You're in luck. (not joking :lol:)

http://www.duplicolor.com/gallery/gallery_images/wheel_05.jpg
jhoff8487
10-31-2009, 02:33 PM
I may have to try that on my stamped steel stockers before I throw them back on for winter. I just hate those wheels...maybe I'll mess them up and it'll really force me to buy some alloys! :thumbs:
BuckFeverZ
10-31-2009, 02:41 PM
Looks pretty good :thumbs:
DV2000NJ
10-31-2009, 06:48 PM
I may have to try that on my stamped steel stockers before I throw them back on for winter. I just hate those wheels...maybe I'll mess them up and it'll really force me to buy some alloys! :thumbs:

Do you have the chrome ones?
mblouir
10-31-2009, 07:27 PM
Do you have the chrome ones?

That's the only thing I forgot to mention. Not a good idea with chrome wheels unless you have access to a sandblaster or something similar. Chrome will flake, guaranteed, unless you prep it really well.

Won't let me edit into OP but at least it's the first post on the second page.
dietz4ibanez
10-31-2009, 07:42 PM
Great write up man and good job! How long did it take you to do all 4?
daddy
11-01-2009, 12:34 AM
Do you have the chrome ones?

That's the only thing I forgot to mention. Not a good idea with chrome wheels unless you have access to a sandblaster or something similar. Chrome will flake, guaranteed, unless you prep it really well.

Won't let me edit into OP but at least it's the first post on the second page.

I added it to your original post for you! :thumbs:
mblouir
11-01-2009, 08:04 AM
Great write up man and good job! How long did it take you to do all 4?
Took a full day. Most of the time was spent on prep work and waiting on each final coat to dry a bit. Actual painting time wasn't that much as I just kept doing laps around the truck since enough time passed by the time I got back around to do the next coat. I started around 10AM and pulled the index cards and newspaper out around 6PM.

Prep work is most important, and it would be even better if you could take your wheels and tires off of the vehicle to do it. The only reason I didn't do mine is because I'm short on time and need the truck every day.



I added it to your original post for you! :thumbs:
Thank you!
Black02Silverado
11-01-2009, 08:17 AM
They look really good. You have the same issue as I, I like to put the paint on heavy and that isn't a good thing. Light coats are way better. Thanks for the write up!
Z71 Kris
11-01-2009, 08:38 AM
awesome write up, and they looked great...
stadt11
11-02-2009, 01:48 PM
How they holding up?
mblouir
11-02-2009, 03:39 PM
I gave the wheels and tires away but they were sitting out back in the weather for a few months.

I had them on for a while and was really rough on them. They help up like champs. :thumbs:
Draenor
11-02-2009, 04:10 PM
This is awesome. I have some horse trailer wheels that need to be redone. I am gonna try this first to see if I like it. If I screw up, I'll go get 'em p-coated.:thumbs:

Question. D you drive around as fast as you can go, to get the paper off? :jester:
mblouir
11-03-2009, 08:38 AM
With the truck running stock back then, going wide open would have been just enough to turn the pages. :lol:
V8 Power
07-31-2010, 09:08 PM
I've been wanting to do this to my truck's wheels all summer but couldn't find a good write-up until now. Thanks a ton.

One question though, I want mine to be almost flat black so if you put enough coats of black on do you even need the clear coat at the end? If so maybe just one coat of clear so it doesn't get too shiny.
mblouir
08-04-2010, 11:25 PM
Yeah the lower the # of clear coats you use the less shiny it will be. I would highly recommend using it, though, otherwise the paint will fade (or worse) in a short time.
Draenor
08-05-2010, 09:18 AM
How is this holding up? No flaking, peeling, etc?
mblouir
08-05-2010, 09:59 AM
I took mine off when I got the new wheels and tires. When I took them off they had been on for a few months and showed no signs of wear. Two things in hindsight: should have taken more time and wet-sanded so the clear was smoother.......and I should have taken off the wheel weights first (in case they need rotated). Other than that no issues.