Painting Rims! How do I do it?

[giantkiller]

I use the snap on plastic rim protectors. They come in packs of 2 but I always use 3. So I don't have to worry about moving one. While you are in the middle of working the tire irons.

So far I haven't had to worry about the powder coater not masking off the threads, and bearing recesses. But you can make sure when you drop them off. I'm sure there are some idiots out there in the powder coating business.

[FJ_Hooligan]

If they do coat a bearing surface, Aircraft Paint Stripper works just as well on powder coating.

[Bones]

I painted my rims with a spray can in a charcoal grafite colour. Seems to be holding up well so far with no chips and easy to keep clean. How I did it was mask bits off I didn't want painted mount on axle stands and spin slowly while spraying. Easy to do and in my opinion turned out pretty good.

[Sparky84]

I painted my rims with a spray can in a charcoal grafite colour. Seems to be holding up well so far with no chips and easy to keep clean. How I did it was mask bits off I didn't want painted mount on axle stands and spin slowly while spraying. Easy to do and in my opinion turned out pretty good.

Looks good Bones,
but I do know that I am crap with a can of paint with the exception of gal spray which gets used regularly at work (but it doesn't have to be good just rust protection)

[PaulG]

but I do know that I am crap with a can of paint with the exception of gal spray which gets used regularly at work (but it doesn't have to be good just rust protection)

Now son you'll never get far in life without some self confidence   ....  Sorry, the cranky old man inside me is coming out.

Just practice on some scrap, or better yet go to a wreckers. Get yourself any banged up cast wheel cheap so you can trial on prepping , masking, painting, etc. If you're still crap you're only out a few bucks. If it turns out ok then you're a pro!

There's tons of instructions on YouTube. Just view as much as possible, as some can be very good and some should be smacked up side the head.

https://youtu.be/gUV6SfVV7Kw

Then post some before and after pics of  your trial and bask in the comments you will get. Then go for the real thing.     Get to it laddie! 

[ribbert]

I painted my rims with a spray can in a charcoal grafite colour. Seems to be holding up well so far with no chips and easy to keep clean. How I did it was mask bits off I didn't want painted mount on axle stands and spin slowly while spraying. Easy to do and in my opinion turned out pretty good.

Looks good Bones,
but I do know that I am crap with a can of paint with the exception of gal spray which gets used regularly at work (but it doesn't have to be good just rust protection)

Sparky, time to learn, it 'aint that hard.

The decision may be made for you though. I get a lot of sandblasting and powder coating done and I would be surprised if by the time you have them blasted, coated, new bearings and tyres on and off, you had any change from $400 - $500. Does the rest of your bike warrant that expense?

You were blown away by how good Fred's powder coated wheels looked, well, painted ones look just as good (IMO even better)

There is a distinction between rattle can paint and VHT wheel paint. Despite being called paint, it is a specially formulated polyurethane coating deveoped just for that application.

The underslung caliper below has probably done 100k. It's low to the road and cops all the rubbish thrown up by the front wheel and oncoming vehicles. It has no chips. It is painted with VHT wheel paint.



You can see a couple of dents where it's been hit hard but it doesn't chip. Being paint, it can also be touched up.

My bike is very original and pretty clean and I've spent a fortune on it but I wouldn't even consider dropping that sort of money just to refinish the wheels.

Just a thought.

IMO

Noel

[PaulG]

Also - not wanting to sound redundant - but it's the prepping that's as important (if not more so) than the painting.  If a paint job looks like crap it's most likely due to a lacklustre prepping.  It's not uncommon to take at least 2-3 times as long prepping as it does to paint.  No rush-no pressure. Just take your time.

Good luck if you decide to go this route.   

[Sparky84]

Now son you'll never get far in life without some self confidence   ....  Sorry, the cranky old man inside me is coming out.

Dad, I'm not lacking in self confidence.......I don't think so, am I?

I just know my boundaries 

There is a distinction between rattle can paint and VHT wheel paint. Despite being called paint, it is a specially formulated polyurethane coating deveoped just for that application.

That's good to know that it's a bit tougher than normal.

Also - not wanting to sound redundant - but it's the prepping that's as important (if not more so) than the painting.  If a paint job looks like crap it's most likely due to a lacklustre prepping.  It's not uncommon to take at least 2-3 times as long prepping as it does to paint.  No rush-no pressure.

That's what scares me, the Prepping, as you said it's everything and it does take the most time.
I hate painting at home due to the Prepping, so long, so boring.

No pressure from anyone does make it easier. 
Ok when I get the wheels I will post pre painted with chips and all

Cheers Alan

[Bones]

Prepping, yes forgot about that. Front wheel didn't take much just a rub down with some fine wet and dry paper and water to remove any dirt etc... The rear took a lot more because it was white when I got it so painted the whole thing with paint stripper and got to it with a scraper etc to get it all off. I wanted the polished edges so the most tedious is masking everything up before painting. Beer helps too.

[CutterBill]

You didn't replace the valve stem?   

[Bones]

A steel 90 deg stem was fitted with the new tyre Bill.

[ribbert]

A steel 90 deg stem was fitted with the new tyre Bill.

Good choice Tony.



Fully inflated to dead flat in less than 20 seconds.

Noel

[ribbert]

Nice Tony!! Must be a QL thing, no shiny rims down this way.

Noel

[racerrad8]

Nice Tony!! Must be a QL thing, no shiny rims down this way.

Noel

If you want to go all the way, I sell a raw, uncoated aluminum 90* valve stem that can be polished as well.

10mm Aluminum Valve Stem 90*



They also come in black too.

Randy - RPM

[X-Ray]

Mmmm, Powdercoating vs Paint? If you get a top quality powdercoater who knows what they are doing, how to prep, and doesn't do industrial type jobs like fence panels etc, then go for it. The guy I used last time does custom bikes/cars etc, and his prep work, attention to detail is simply amazing, as is the finish. On my wheels I don't have the rough casting of the rims anymore, its been filled, so nearly smooth, makes cleaning as easy as pie. I  paid a lot more than $50.00 per wheel to get done, ($250.00 per wheel with the hub) but the results I am extremely happy with. For my newest FJ, I will probably do as Bones and Noel have done and paint, I really can't afford to powdercoat at this stage.








Heres my wheel rebuild pic gallery http://s367.photobucket.com/user/raywise_2008/library/FJ1200%20Powdercoating%20Wheels%20and%20New%20Tyres?sort=2&page=1 has some gory bearing removal pics etc   But yes, I am glad I did it. These bikes are deserving of some dollars being thrown at them.