tires and wheels mike in Beavercreek, OH Q's about Krylon

[74tiiGolf]

You used Krylon clearcoat on some wheels. I need to clearcoat some wheels and was hoping for some specific directions or things NOT to do. Never painted wheels before but just got a set of refurbished ones and want to protect them. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Matthew

[Mike Self]

When I painted my steel wheels, I merely primered 'em (after sanding) with some Rustoleum primer. They had little rust spots on 'em even after I sanded, so was being careful. I then put a couple of coats of Krylon "dull aluminum" paint on em. They're still looking good several years later. I didn't clearcoat the steel wheels--that's just my preference, primarily because 95% of a roundie wheel is covered by the hubcap. You can clearcoat, though. Krylon makes a "crystal clear acrilic" coating that's compatible with their color spray paint.

On my factory alloys, I did clearcoat (as above) over the Dull Aluminum paint, because the factory wheels were done that way. I have one new wheel with its original paint, and it has clear over the silver paint (somewhat yellowed with age).

A wheel painting trick is to balance the wheel on a jack stand-- and scooch around the wheel with your spray can. If you have a big old bearing (I used a VW tranny differential bearing) you can put it between the wheel and the jackstand, and slowly rotate the wheel while spraying. Much easier than moving the wheel, and less likely to cause runs.

Hope that helps; happy painting.

mike

[74tiiGolf]

Thank you! The runs problem was what I was worried about. Seems like every time I spray paint something I end up with runs but most of the time, it doesn't matter. This time, it most certainly does!

Matthew

[02fanatic]

Matthew:

I've had good results painting wheels with them lying "flat"...best if elevated on a box or something solid. Key is "no wind" and low humidity. DO NOT paint in the direct sunlight.

Best results are achieved with several coats and the last coat thick almost to the point of running but not to that point....you will walk a fine line there, but will get best results that way. Runs are bad, but so is alot of overspray/orange peel look. One reason powder coating is popular is it removes the orange peel look. But, with practice, spraying will get you the look you want.

Just don't hurry the process....maybe practice on an old wheel first.

Just a few thoughts from an old timer who has painted more wheels than I care to think about (and all the work) :-)

Good Luck,

John

[74tiiGolf]

Thanks John! I figured there'd be someone with A LOT more experience than I!

Matthew

[Jim_75Sahara]

Funny you should mention that... I am going to paint up 5 steelies this weekend using Krylon dull aluminum rattle can paint AFTER using some Rustoleum primer. I had the wheels sandblasted for $100 a few days ago. (Thanks to Karl H. for the wheels!) My project won't cost me a whole lot more than the $100 spent sandblasting them. (not counting the new Avid T-4's, of course.)