I'm looking at some OEM G35 Rays wheels, but I'd like to paint them in gunmetal or matte black. Just wondering how much work you put in to refinish them.
Just a matter of scuff, clean, spray? I can sandblast if required, but that might make the finish too rough.
#4593229 - 03/15/1008:41 PMRe: Who has painted (verb) or powdercoated wheels?
[Re: Impulsive]
CommonGutterTrashCommonGutterTrash
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Registered: 09/16/02
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I'm doing a set right now. these are from '97 so they've been around the block. all of them had gouges in the powder coat, and 2 had curbage.
on all of them, I had the PC sand-blasted off, and then I started in with primer/sanding. Best results were with sanding the original primer down smooth, and then a re-shoot of filler primer, and then another 400-grit sanding... then a spray of rustoleum wheel paint, and then a quick 1000 grit sand to smooth, and final coat of wheel paint.
Here's some pictures. There's one where the scratches were deep-enough to have to use aircraft remover to get them to bare metal, and I had to sand a TON. the curbage was filled with JB where it was really deep, and sanded/primed where it was just a deep paint scuff.
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Craig R. 2000 9-5 Gary Fisher Wagon 1995 850 T-5R 1996 Galant
Ive never had it done myself, but Ive had a TON of friends who have, and powdercoating is the WAY TO GO unless you want to invest a TON of time and effort like craig did above.
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#4593574 - 03/15/1011:40 PMRe: Who has painted (verb) or powdercoated wheels?
[Re: GB]
00Formula00Formula
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I've sanded and painted wheels with automotive grade paint. After a year they had multiple chips thru not only the clear coat but also the base color. I've never done poweder coating, but if you have that ability, I would try it over just painting from my experience.
#4593895 - 03/16/1007:05 AMRe: Who has painted (verb) or powdercoated wheels?
[Re: Impulsive]
CommonGutterTrashCommonGutterTrash
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Post Master Sr
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Loc: Boston MA
From what the powder coating guy said to me, they had to be sand-blasted to metal on all surfaces.
Then he would acid-dip them, and coat them. It was $500 for a set of wheels up here, or $300 if I sand blasted them, myself.
I agree that PC is the best option, but the wheel paints that rustoleum/duplicolor sell are pretty tough. I'll have done 3 "thin" coats of paint, and a clear before I'm done. The wheels I painted won't be used much. it was more for the experience.
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Craig R. 2000 9-5 Gary Fisher Wagon 1995 850 T-5R 1996 Galant
Registered: 03/03/02
Posts: 4795
Loc: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
I just sanded the original color to scuff it up a bit, primered and then went spray bombing away. Best finish? Nope. Been a couple months and no chipping either. They are wheels, honestly, they don't have to be perfect with a mirror shine. It took me about half a day screwing around to finish. If you are planning on painting the wheels with tires on them get index cards!
I'm not planning on keeping the color for much longer. Not sure if I want to go back to black wheels or trying something different (graphite, white etc..)
Edited by Slow_V6 (03/16/1008:39 AM)
_________________________ 2021 Toyota Supra 3.0 premium 2021 Tesla model 3 performance
Personally, I like the hypersilver finish on the G35 Rays. Matte black would look kinda cheap on them. Having said that, I think powdercoat is the way to go, if you don't want to spend 6-8 hours doing the prep/paint yourself.
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Selection is limited but the Duplicolor wheel paint holds up REALLY well even without a clear coat. I've also done Powdercoating. Powdercoating is the way to go if you don't mind spending the cash. I would indeed sandblast them before hand though. The powdercoat adds some thickness.
#4595620 - 03/16/1003:16 PMRe: Who has painted (verb) or powdercoated wheels?
[Re: Chris92Sc2]
CommonGutterTrashCommonGutterTrash
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Loc: Boston MA
so... I spent today finishing these thing, since I'm dripping snot out of my nose.... fucking dirty customers....
remember... these were in REALLY rough shape. you'd need to spend WAY less time if your wheels are un-scratched. you could get away with sand-blasting to primer, and painting/sanding/painting/clearing.
here's some progress pictures:
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Craig R. 2000 9-5 Gary Fisher Wagon 1995 850 T-5R 1996 Galant