Wheel Painting Advice

[SickE30]

Ok I know that header paint has worked for a few of you guys so I'm going with that. Just want to dress up the bottle caps a bit. Tired of buying 225/45 17 tires. I'll put them back on with the addition of the GTS kit this spring. But anyway. Do I need to sand the wheels first then paint? Primer @ all? Or do I just wash and spray pretty much? I'm doing it tonight so some quick replys are appreciated. Thanks guys.

[OOMPH!]

I'm not really sure what paint to use but I would just scuff the wheels up with some sand paper, wash them real good, then spray them with the paint, and spray with some clear coat. Hopefully "rayz" and "Digitalwave" will chime in because they have already done all of this.....

[spud814]

For me i just used high temp engine paint, washed, let it dry then mask and spray i didn't even bother to sand it or anything. But i did wash it with a scotch pad b/c my brake dust were really stuck when i got the car with the wheels, so tha tmight of sanded it a little bit, but i had my wheels for 2 years now and it hasn't chipped or anything yet. I heard other guys did sand it down, but i'm not sure, i know i didn't, just washed and sprayed.

[UNHCLL]

Washed them with a scotch brite pad and Costal Power Clean.
Then I painted them. Used Würth silver paint, and Würth clear coat.

Before and after pics:






I had just washed them, so the "pitting" is actually water spots.
New emblems make a huge difference as well

[Rob]

an easy way to prevent overspray on the tires is to stick a bunch of index cards between the tire and wheel, all around the rim. works great for us.

[Werksmini]

What about the black part in the middle, is there a certain method to tape it off or a certain type of paint?

[UNHCLL]

What about the black part in the middle, is there a certain method to tape it off or a certain type of paint?

What are you talking about? The wheels should be all silver?

[Digitalwave]

I used engine paint, I don't think I'd use it again. Does Wurth sell black wheel paint? If I were to use engine paint again I'd use a good clear coat over it.

[Werksmini]

What about the black part in the middle, is there a certain method to tape it off or a certain type of paint?

What are you talking about? The wheels should be all silver?

As a response to TJ's comment.

Im almost positive that wurth dosent sell black paint. But ill just use a sturdy clear coat, if and when I end up doing it. Thanks.

[Rob]

we've had great success with good ole fashion krylon, not too expensive. I dont know how much the wurth stuff is though

[Inspar8r]

Are you guys wet sanding and buffing afterwards as well? or just pulling a spray and go?

POerhaps i'll write up a paint finishing article to healp you guys out. Jordan swears by the Hard Hat shit or whatever, i just need to find it to see if it's really that good.

[Digitalwave]

Are you guys wet sanding and buffing afterwards as well? or just pulling a spray and go?

Spray and go... they are bottlecaps for Pete's sake...

[SickE30]

right on TJ if we can get some good weather down here I would already have it done. But little bit of sanding spray header paint on clearcoat it. Call it a day.

[UNHCLL]

Are you guys wet sanding and buffing afterwards as well? or just pulling a spray and go?

POerhaps i'll write up a paint finishing article to healp you guys out. Jordan swears by the Hard Hat shit or whatever, i just need to find it to see if it's really that good.

With proper aplication of quality products, there should be no need to wet sand afterwards. I didnt on mine and they came out perfect.

[KenC]

TJ,
How did you go about masking off the rim of the bottlecaps?