How I Painted my Steel Wheels
#1
How I Painted my Steel Wheels
A few months ago I purchased a complete set of spare wheels with a new set of steel wheel lug nuts I purchased from Rovers North. Originally, the wheels were in decent condition, but were galvanized grey. After consulting with a automotive paint store and multiple sources on here, I decided to simply hand sand them down with 220 grit sandpaper. (I thought I took pictures, apparently not.) So, after multiple "wheel sanding parties" with some buddys we got them sanded down to how I wanted then.
Next, I waited for a pretty day to begin painting. For maximum adhesion I used Rust Oleum Self Etching Primer (5).
I did three solid coats at intervals throughout a few hours and only used a little over two cans. I thought for sure five wouldn't be enough, it was overkill.
After letting the primer dry a few days I waited for another pretty day to attack the final coat. I went with a gloss black for a number of reasons. I was torn between gloss and flat but am glad I went with gloss. The gloss matches my ARB bumper and soon-to-be roof rack, also. I am pleased with it. Disco Mike referred me to the Rust Oleum Commercial grade aerosol. I picked up another five cans of that and certainly wasn't close to using it all.
After three solid coats and letting the wheels lay in the sun a few hours I was ready to get them mounted!
I knew a guy at the tire shop so I was able to get them swapped out for $15 each. I also had the opportunity to mount my new matching spare!
Before:
Ugly mismatch spare:
After:
Matching Spare:
Pardon the ugly mud in the middle...
I couldn't be happier with the result! What do you all think? You like?
Sticky?
All Landy needs now is a good detailing for once!
For sale/giveaway: Four Range Rover Classic Great Divide Wheels. Good condition with nuts.
Next, I waited for a pretty day to begin painting. For maximum adhesion I used Rust Oleum Self Etching Primer (5).
I did three solid coats at intervals throughout a few hours and only used a little over two cans. I thought for sure five wouldn't be enough, it was overkill.
After letting the primer dry a few days I waited for another pretty day to attack the final coat. I went with a gloss black for a number of reasons. I was torn between gloss and flat but am glad I went with gloss. The gloss matches my ARB bumper and soon-to-be roof rack, also. I am pleased with it. Disco Mike referred me to the Rust Oleum Commercial grade aerosol. I picked up another five cans of that and certainly wasn't close to using it all.
After three solid coats and letting the wheels lay in the sun a few hours I was ready to get them mounted!
I knew a guy at the tire shop so I was able to get them swapped out for $15 each. I also had the opportunity to mount my new matching spare!
Before:
Ugly mismatch spare:
After:
Matching Spare:
Pardon the ugly mud in the middle...
I couldn't be happier with the result! What do you all think? You like?
Sticky?
All Landy needs now is a good detailing for once!
For sale/giveaway: Four Range Rover Classic Great Divide Wheels. Good condition with nuts.
#2
#5
I do like em. I also like your RR wheels. I'm still thinking whether to do both trucks and probably will.
I use the etching primer as well. makes all the difference. Honda....you consider painting the bottom of your grill and the plastic under the headlights black? Might mean up the front.
I use the etching primer as well. makes all the difference. Honda....you consider painting the bottom of your grill and the plastic under the headlights black? Might mean up the front.
#6
SanJuan, thanks man. I detested those RRC wheels. But good idea, I haven't thought about that. For a few weeks I ran around with a Beluga Black grill installed. It certainly changed the look of my truck. I may look into that. I would just hope the black colors wouldn't clash..
ylo; thank you. That's a good point. But, more work :/ Maybe this summer. Lol
#7
I remember you hating those wheels. Wouldn't be my first choice either but they look good on your rig.
Your truck is already white and black. I did the ghetto grill, bumper, stinger and those plastic bits under the headlights flat black and they have the appearance of a single unit...kinda. The rest of the truck is beluga so it isn't a big diff and I haven't put it all back together but in my mind I like the look. I hope to get it back together real soon.
Your truck is already white and black. I did the ghetto grill, bumper, stinger and those plastic bits under the headlights flat black and they have the appearance of a single unit...kinda. The rest of the truck is beluga so it isn't a big diff and I haven't put it all back together but in my mind I like the look. I hope to get it back together real soon.
#8
It's to anyone. No need in over thinking a process. Tires don't need to be off, you don't need primer, it's just a rattle can job. The black won't show up on the tires, so overspray doesn't matter. And they're gonna get chipped and dirty regardless so just re-spray the area as needed. No need for all that hard work. The result would have been the same if you'd just cleaned em, brilloed (word?) em and sprayed them. Five mins per wheel. Maybe two coats to look extra pretty.
#10
It's to anyone. No need in over thinking a process. Tires don't need to be off, you don't need primer, it's just a rattle can job. The black won't show up on the tires, so overspray doesn't matter. And they're gonna get chipped and dirty regardless so just re-spray the area as needed. No need for all that hard work. The result would have been the same if you'd just cleaned em, brilloed (word?) em and sprayed them. Five mins per wheel. Maybe two coats to look extra pretty.
What he did will deliver a cleaner and longer lasting finish though.