PDA

View Full Version : Wheel Refinishing Simplified doityourself



mbeckel
03-22-2014, 07:40 PM
Got rashed wheels? Factory paint on wheels flaking? I went through this as well and didn't want to fall victim to expensive repairs. Ok, enough cheesy saleman talk to y'all. I'll walk y'all through my experiance of refinishing my wheels and at a fraction of the cost while enjoying some drinks during the process. Warning if you are going to tackle this job, it's a time consuming process, but very satisfying in the end.

Tools/Material needed: Dremel tool (if you have deep rashing). Power drill (polish finished product). 220, 320, and 400 grit sandpaper along with s.o.s. pads. Wheel paint, I used the Duplicolor wheel paint series rattle cans, rule of thumb is one can per wheel (doesn't hurt to have left overs for possible touch ups later).

Step 1. Remove wheels from car and have tires dismounted from wheels (for best results, not a must, I did not choose to remove my tires due to wheel color choice)

Step2. Sanding, this will keep your pimp hand strong (or pimpette for females). Get a nice scuff on the surface that doesnt require added attention. Full removal of factory paint/ primer is not an absolute must, infact a little left over will create a nice chemist for new to stick to. Start with 220 grit working to 320 grit then 400 grit in a criss-cross pattern.

Step 3. Gentlemen/women start your dremels! If your wheel/wheels have deep scarring or curb rash, lightly dremel the deep area to create a smoother surface. Some of you people may not need this step.

Step 4. Time to fill the smoothened out the holes created with a hardening epoxy (IE JB Weld ect) and give it the proper time to harden and setup. Kinda the bondo effect that is used on body parts, remember less is more.

Step 5. Back to Sanding, this step can be skipped if step 4 wasn't required. If you were one of the lucky ones who gets to do this step, not to dissimiler to step 2, sand til you have a smooth surface, starting with a 220 grit to a 320 grit followed by a 400 grit once again in criss cross pattern. Once complete, go arm wrestle your best friend, they won't have a chance!

Step 6. Time to start shooting some paint, first step to a great paint job is primer. You guessed it, time to prime, I used 2 coats. Applying evenly and allow about 5-10 min between coats to setup. Usually takes 30 min to fully dry.

Step 7. Back to the sanding we go. I promise that your forearms will look similer to popeye's when you're done. This time only a nice like scuffing to allow base coat to stick. This time only using a s.o.s. pad, same criss-crossing pattern.

Step 8. It only gets easier, base coats are simple, I used 3 coats base. Allowing 10-15 min of setup time between coats. Should take base coat 30-45 min to setup.

Step 9. Yay no more sanding, that's right we're going straight to clear. I used 3 coats of clear as well, may want to go up to 4 if your car makes heavy brake dust. Allow 10-15 min between coats.

Step 10. After paint is cured completely (usually 24 hours) polish your wheels. I like using a drill with the power cone. Wipe clean and enjoy that shine!!!!

Step 11. Remount tires and remount to car.

Step 12. There is no step 12! But enjoy your refreshed wheels!

I hope this helps y'all out. PM me if you have any further questions for me, I'll be happy to help. Pics to be posted next.

mbeckel
03-22-2014, 07:52 PM
12992

After primer

12993

After base coats

12994

After clear coats

12995

Before and after effect. I polished them on the car the next day.

mbeckel
03-22-2014, 07:54 PM
FYI I forgot to mention in my step by step what to use to clean the wheels following the prep work. Buy a couple cans of Brake cleaner, it should work perfectly for this project. Sorry I forgot that!

Avetiso
03-22-2014, 07:56 PM
Awesome. Can't wait to try it this summer.

mbeckel
03-22-2014, 08:02 PM
When it comes time to shoot paint, place a small piece of masking tape over the little "m" emblems on the wheels to preserve them

Sent from in the bushes

HockeyGoon
03-22-2014, 08:03 PM
I may have to stop by your house one day so you can touch up my wheels, lol

mbeckel
03-22-2014, 08:06 PM
I may have to stop by your house one day so you can touch up my wheels, lol

No problem, it's relatively simple, just time consuming

Sent from in the bushes

Avetiso
03-22-2014, 08:07 PM
When it comes time to shoot paint, place a small piece of masking tape over the little "m" emblems on the wheels to preserve them

Sent from in the bushes
I'll probably remove and replace them after it's dry.

mbeckel
03-22-2014, 08:09 PM
I'll probably remove and replace them after it's dry.

Not a bad idea, just a little tip to help save a few bucks. Especially if replacement isn't required

Sent from in the bushes

NoVAphotog
03-22-2014, 08:46 PM
12999

13000

mbeckel
03-22-2014, 08:48 PM
12999

13000

Very fixable

Sent from in the bushes

slater
03-23-2014, 11:31 AM
awesome write-up, thanks! especially enjoyed step 12, and the popeye/armwrestling comments. :)

will likely be tackling this myself this summer as well, thanks to your DIY!

peter

mbeckel
03-23-2014, 01:11 PM
awesome write-up, thanks! especially enjoyed step 12, and the popeye/armwrestling comments. :)

will likely be tackling this myself this summer as well, thanks to your DIY!

peter

It's a great result in the end. And I had a great time doing it. This was a must share. Keep us posted on how your project turns out

Sent from in the bushes

NoVAphotog
03-29-2014, 04:27 AM
Very fixable

Sent from in the bushes

Where can I find paint that matches the factory silver?

mbeckel
03-29-2014, 04:41 AM
Where can I find paint that matches the factory silver?

Check out bavauto.com for their repair kit. I used duplicolor wheel paint on mine, but I went black

Sent from in the bushes

ELCID86
03-29-2014, 08:12 AM
Where can I find paint that matches the factory silver?

The guy that did my front clip also does wheels if you are interested. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mirror-Image-Paint-Solutions/258369717530450

mbeckel
05-16-2014, 09:26 AM
Bump. Fix your wheels peeps! If you want, I'll do it for you, pm me if needed

Sent from in the bushes

bshovers
05-16-2014, 09:43 AM
Check out bavauto.com for their repair kit. I used duplicolor wheel paint on mine, but I went black

Sent from in the bushes

Bavauto has a kit and a DIY video. I think the German paint is a brand called WURTH. I've seen a few of these DIY threads for wheel rash and I know there's a cheaper alternative paint that is very close to the color of the German paint mentioned early. Because the German paint is expensive.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mbeckel
05-16-2014, 09:45 AM
Bavauto has a kit and a DIY video. I think the German paint is a brand called WURTH. I've seen a few of these DIY threads for wheel rash and I know there's a cheaper alternative paint that is very close to the color of the German paint mentioned early. Because the German paint is expensive.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That it certainly is, I used duplicolor wheel paint on mine. I painted mine gloss black

Sent from in the bushes

bshovers
05-16-2014, 09:45 AM
I just googled German alloy paint and I'm pretty sure this is the stuff. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/17/y8y4ybu7.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WOLFN8TR
05-17-2014, 07:51 AM
Wheel repair kit on BAVAUTO- $60

http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/17/sezu7eny.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/17/ujydehep.jpg

bshovers
05-17-2014, 10:46 AM
I feel like that doesn't have enough putty for four tires.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ELCID86
05-17-2014, 01:41 PM
Wheel repair kit on BAVAUTO- $60

http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

I need to do that on several of mine.

mbeckel
05-17-2014, 01:55 PM
I feel like that doesn't have enough putty for four tires.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It should be if used sparingly. Trust me, less is more

Sent from in the bushes

mbeckel
08-28-2014, 05:38 AM
Bump for anyone who needs this

ELCID86
08-28-2014, 05:47 AM
I wish there were other sources for the kit or Bav didn't charge $10+ for s/h.

mbeckel
08-28-2014, 05:51 AM
I wish there were other sources for the kit or Bav didn't charge $10+ for s/h.
I think they have to charge it because it's a hazardous material. It sucks, but it's still better than how much it costs to have someone else do this.

ELCID86
08-28-2014, 07:25 AM
I think they have to charge it because it's a hazardous material. It sucks, but it's still better than how much it costs to have someone else do this.

Very true. Best quote I've had is $80-90/wheel.

mbeckel
08-28-2014, 07:26 AM
Very true. Best quote I've had is $80-90/wheel.
$320-$360. Compared to under $100. No brainer to me