How to Paint Your Wheels (the right way) - Page 2

Stee · 07-18-2006, 02:01 PM

Great write-up!
You definitely seem to have painter's knowledge- I plan on having a professional autobody shop or wheel refinisher do my BBSs when I get the chance. Is it recommended to have them sandblast the old paint off or do they just scuff it up like you did?

lackskill · 07-18-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06grip

Cool... I've been looking at the gram light 57fs... nice choice.

Great GB on here for them right now, just couldnt pass it up...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stee

Great write-up!
You definitely seem to have painter's knowledge- I plan on having a professional autobody shop or wheel refinisher do my BBSs when I get the chance. Is it recommended to have them sandblast the old paint off or do they just scuff it up like you did?

I probably wouldnt recommend a sandblast, and if you are going to spend the money on a professional job, why not get powdercoated?

Stee · 07-18-2006, 02:40 PM

Powdercoating has always been an option but some have said it weakens the wheels during the process.

06grip · 07-18-2006, 03:01 PM

Powder coating will weaken a forged aluminum wheel... period. If you use a low temp curing process (e.g. under 350 degrees) you can help alleviate this... but you still weaken the alloy to certain extent. If you are into autox or drag racing, this becomes a significant safety concern.

06grip · 07-18-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stee

Great write-up!
You definitely seem to have painter's knowledge- I plan on having a professional autobody shop or wheel refinisher do my BBSs when I get the chance. Is it recommended to have them sandblast the old paint off or do they just scuff it up like you did?

You would not want to sandblast the wheel coating off (painting bare aluminum is MUCH harder and considerably more expensive!!). The wheels already have a coating on them and the underlying aluminum has been appropriately prepped from Subaru to accept this coating. Just scuff them and shoot.

The process is really not that hard. You should give it a try, it's quite rewarding. Oh, an a decent base-coat/clear-coat spray job is going to run $300 - $400, plus the cost of dismounting/remounting the wheel. Do it yourself for $100 - 150!

DragonXero13 · 07-18-2006, 06:30 PM

Is there a way where I could paint the wheels black like yours but have a silver lip? Maybe taping off the silver part?

Is there a way where you could paint it and make it last for a really long time??

I was talking to a vendor and they said that they could ship it to someone but it would cost $600!!

lackskill · 07-18-2006, 06:43 PM

how about annodizing?

06STIlin · 07-18-2006, 06:50 PM

Great pics! I have a Black 06 too and have been playing with the idea of painting my wheels black. Looks awesome! Great job!

boost_happy · 07-18-2006, 06:57 PM

I got mine painted the color I wanted then powder coated a clear over it to seal it in forever. $400 for all wheels including balancing after. Wheel America rocks..... One day turn around, look one up, well worth the money, they do everything in house, its a chain, I think 14 stores. http://www.fixrim.com If you want a close up of mine let me know, it has a heavy metallic sparkle to it while the suns hitting it, but look dark flat all other times, me mucho happy. They repair all those winter rims as well. Good luck

wrx23x · 07-18-2006, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06grip

Thanks.

wrx23x - what color?

gunmetal with lip. i'll post pics later on

06grip · 07-19-2006, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonXero13

Is there a way where I could paint the wheels black like yours but have a silver lip? Maybe taping off the silver part?

Is there a way where you could paint it and make it last for a really long time??

I was talking to a vendor and they said that they could ship it to someone but it would cost $600!!

1) a silver lip would be relatively easy... yes, you would tape the lip using a quality painters tape and a razor blade to ensure a symmetrical edge.

2) if you follow the directions in this faq (take your time with the prep and use a quality automotive paint), the paint will last for years (unlike spray can jobs that will need to be touched up each season).

3) $600 including shipping is not surprising... do it yourself and save some serious cash.

Jag32 · 07-19-2006, 10:28 AM

Looks great.

SUBIRU · 07-21-2006, 07:44 AM

very nice write up!

***Majin*** · 07-21-2006, 07:55 AM

very nice write up and the wheels look great!

did you just paint them or did you clear them as well?

Jag32 · 07-21-2006, 04:20 PM

You experienced painters, I would GREATLY appreciate your advice in this thread of mine... UPS butchered my Gold BBS wheel - HELP!!!!!!! *PICS*

Thanks

07-18-2006, 02:01 PM	#16
Stee Spec C Club Car: 2008 Fitrari Red Fav Mod: Getting 40mpg Location: North Jersey Posts: 1,536 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (8)	Great write-up! You definitely seem to have painter's knowledge- I plan on having a professional autobody shop or wheel refinisher do my BBSs when I get the chance. Is it recommended to have them sandblast the old paint off or do they just scuff it up like you did? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

07-18-2006, 06:57 PM	#24
boost_happy Professional STI Racer Car: 06 STI SGM Fav Mod: seatbelts Location: Dallas Posts: 694 Join Date: Feb 2006 Trader Rating: (3)	I got mine painted the color I wanted then powder coated a clear over it to seal it in forever. $400 for all wheels including balancing after. Wheel America rocks..... One day turn around, look one up, well worth the money, they do everything in house, its a chain, I think 14 stores. http://www.fixrim.com If you want a close up of mine let me know, it has a heavy metallic sparkle to it while the suns hitting it, but look dark flat all other times, me mucho happy. They repair all those winter rims as well. Good luck Last edited by boost_happy : 07-18-2006 at 07:02 PM.

07-21-2006, 04:20 PM	#30
Jag32 Professional STI Racer Car: 2006 Impreza WRX STI Fav Mod: Flux Capacitor Location: Camp Lejeune, NC Posts: 774 Join Date: May 2003 Trader Rating: (5)	You experienced painters, I would GREATLY appreciate your advice in this thread of mine... UPS butchered my Gold BBS wheel - HELP!!!!!!! PICS Thanks This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

07-18-2006, 02:40 PM	#18
Stee Spec C Club Car: 2008 Fitrari Red Fav Mod: Getting 40mpg Location: North Jersey Posts: 1,536 Join Date: Jan 2004 Trader Rating: (8)	Powdercoating has always been an option but some have said it weakens the wheels during the process.

07-18-2006, 03:01 PM	#19
06grip Junior STI Driver Car: 06 STi Location: In the dirt Posts: 82 Join Date: May 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Powder coating will weaken a forged aluminum wheel... period. If you use a low temp curing process (e.g. under 350 degrees) you can help alleviate this... but you still weaken the alloy to certain extent. If you are into autox or drag racing, this becomes a significant safety concern.

07-18-2006, 06:30 PM	#21
DragonXero13 Spec C Club Car: 06 STI Location: Washington Posts: 1,245 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	Is there a way where I could paint the wheels black like yours but have a silver lip? Maybe taping off the silver part? Is there a way where you could paint it and make it last for a really long time?? I was talking to a vendor and they said that they could ship it to someone but it would cost $600!!

07-18-2006, 06:43 PM	#22
lackskill Silver Member Car: WRB GDF-E Fav Mod: Majin Location: Birch Bay Posts: 14,594 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (9)	how about annodizing?

07-18-2006, 06:50 PM	#23
06STIlin Junior STI Driver Car: 06 STI Black/Silver Fav Mod: Heavy foot! Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 89 Join Date: May 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Great pics! I have a Black 06 too and have been playing with the idea of painting my wheels black. Looks awesome! Great job!

07-19-2006, 10:28 AM	#27
Jag32 Professional STI Racer Car: 2006 Impreza WRX STI Fav Mod: Flux Capacitor Location: Camp Lejeune, NC Posts: 774 Join Date: May 2003 Trader Rating: (5)	Looks great.

07-21-2006, 07:44 AM	#28
SUBIRU Silver Member Car: 05 STi Fav Mod: fix-it tickets Location: sj, ca Posts: 875 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (3)	very nice write up!

07-21-2006, 07:55 AM	#29
*Majin* issuer of points and bans Car: 2004 STi Location: LI, NY Posts: 12,514 Join Date: Apr 2004 Trader Rating: (2)	very nice write up and the wheels look great! did you just paint them or did you clear them as well?