How to Paint Your Wheels (the right way) - Page 4

06grip · 07-23-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonXero13

Thanks a lot will do!

Though I really hope that I find some place that will powdercoat my wheels for 40 a peice!

remember, you get what you pay for. You may find a shop that will powdercoat your wheels for 40 (which is a deal I would be weary of, BTW), but they will surely use a high temp bake and cure process. Further, powdercoating WILL weaken an aluminum wheel (even if you use a low temp process... although to a lesser degree). As I stated earlier, if you are into drag racing and/or autox, this becomes a significant safety concern.

DragonXero13 · 07-23-2006, 06:33 PM

How would it weaken the wheel?

06grip · 07-23-2006, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonXero13

How would it weaken the wheel?

The powdercoating process relies on heat (typically 400 - 450 degrees F) to heat and cure the alloy. Excessive heat weakens aluminum (to what degree depends on how excessive the heat).

06grip · 07-23-2006, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pc06sti

How long did you wait between each of the 5 coats that you applied?

With the spray gun, I would spray one wheel at a time... by the time I finished a coat on the 4th wheel, I'd start with the next coat on the first wheel. This essentially allowed for ~5 minutes between coats.

DragonXero13 · 07-24-2006, 01:34 PM

How long did it take to paint the wheels? Powdercoating will take two weeks and I can't take that with my Daily Driver. I don't drive the car every day but .. How long would this whole process take?

06grip · 07-24-2006, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonXero13

How long did it take to paint the wheels? Powdercoating will take two weeks and I can't take that with my Daily Driver. I don't drive the car every day but .. How long would this whole process take?

Two days.

Day one: run to discount tire and get the tires dismounted, get the wheels home, prep, scuff, spray, let them dry (12 hours in a dry climate, 24 hours in a humid climate).

Day two: get up and get the tires remounted.

Done. Paint them... you will not regret it.

DragonXero13 · 07-24-2006, 03:17 PM

This is going to be hard .. I do'nt have an extra car and no one would be able to take me anywhere .. -.-

06grip · 07-24-2006, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonXero13

This is going to be hard .. I do'nt have an extra car and no one would be able to take me anywhere .. -.-

Hit up one of your buddies for a ride (actually two rides). It is not as hard as you may think. Hell, if I were in Washington, I'd help you myself.

**WESTI** · 07-24-2006, 08:38 PM

i dodnt think i'm brave enough to do something that extensive to my wheels

JustinH · 07-24-2006, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WESTI

i dodnt think i'm brave enough to do something that extensive to my wheels

+1

i sure as h3ll would not do that since im an idiot, paying 300-400 to get it done is not bad to ensure a good result.

lilmilan00 · 10-19-2006, 05:57 PM

Hey nice work man i just went out today and spent 133.37 on all that stuff, and im looking to paint the rims tihs weekend. oh yeh im painting them gold..lol

06grip · 10-21-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilmilan00

Hey nice work man i just went out today and spent 133.37 on all that stuff, and im looking to paint the rims tihs weekend. oh yeh im painting them gold..lol

Good luck (you'll be fine)... feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

ilami01 · 10-21-2006, 10:29 PM

looks great, good writeup but more pics next time!

**SCOOBYTRAP** · 11-10-2006, 02:04 AM

I am all prepped and ready for paint. There were a couple small/tight spots that I accidentally went down to the bare aluminum- everything else is good, down to factory primer. Should I prime the entire wheel or not worry about these small areas of bare AL and just paint over them? Thanks, nice write up.

Atomic · 11-10-2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonXero13

How would it weaken the wheel?

The factory wheels are forged. The forging process aligns the metal grain so that they run in the same direction (also called hard working the metal). This gives the metal more strength. This is why forging is stronger than casting an equivalent part (no alignment of grain). When you heat the wheel int he powder coating process it allow the aligned grains to migrate (no longer aligned). This will definetly weaken the wheel (or any forged metal that is over heated)

Finally got to use my ME degree...........

07-23-2006, 06:33 PM	#47
DragonXero13 Spec C Club Car: 06 STI Location: Washington Posts: 1,244 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	How would it weaken the wheel?

07-24-2006, 01:34 PM	#50
DragonXero13 Spec C Club Car: 06 STI Location: Washington Posts: 1,244 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	How long did it take to paint the wheels? Powdercoating will take two weeks and I can't take that with my Daily Driver. I don't drive the car every day but .. How long would this whole process take?

07-24-2006, 03:17 PM	#52
DragonXero13 Spec C Club Car: 06 STI Location: Washington Posts: 1,244 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	This is going to be hard .. I do'nt have an extra car and no one would be able to take me anywhere .. -.-

07-24-2006, 08:38 PM	#54
WESTI Gold Member Car: 06 WRB STI Fav Mod: HKS CARBON TI Location: Irvine, Ca Posts: 5,226 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	i dodnt think i'm brave enough to do something that extensive to my wheels

10-19-2006, 05:57 PM	#56
lilmilan00 Amateur STI Driver Car: 06 WRX Location: FL / NC Posts: 10 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Hey nice work man i just went out today and spent 133.37 on all that stuff, and im looking to paint the rims tihs weekend. oh yeh im painting them gold..lol

10-21-2006, 10:29 PM	#58
ilami01 Senior STI Driver Car: White 06 STi Fav Mod: Forged Bypass Location: Dallas Posts: 378 Join Date: Feb 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	looks great, good writeup but more pics next time!

11-10-2006, 02:04 AM	#59
SCOOBYTRAP Gold Member Car: 05 STi CGM Fav Mod: JDM Foglights Location: NY Posts: 484 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	I am all prepped and ready for paint. There were a couple small/tight spots that I accidentally went down to the bare aluminum- everything else is good, down to factory primer. Should I prime the entire wheel or not worry about these small areas of bare AL and just paint over them? Thanks, nice write up.