Joined
·
8,406 Posts
:coolnana:If any of you folks have stock wheels that were bright silver when new, but now, after 4-5 seasons the silver is disappearing, you can try the Duplicolor refinish paints. Just did mine in Graphite today 3 coats paint, 3 coats clear coat and they came out awesome. Nice alternative between the black and silver wheels out there. Silvers look dirty in 50 miles, blacks are cool when shiny and clean, but I wanted a little different look without going to Lotus yellow etc. and graphite never loks dirty! Look up wheel refinishing on Google and watch the Duplicolor video.
I did as follows.
1. Strong dishwashing liquid scrub with 3M kitchen scrub sponge, then 3M tampon fine wet scrub all at same wash. 320wt sanding sponge to smooth out any defects
2. Thorough rinse, towel dry
3. Filler Primer (Duplicolor) amazing stuff made my curb trashed edge disappear after 5-6 coats (takes 15seconds/coat done in sun every 5-10 minutes) Start on your worst wheel first so you can do multiple rounds of prime.
4. 150wt fine emory sand paper to smooth out the rash till almost gone, then 320wt sponge to finish. You could rewash, but I used my compressor and air nozzle to blast everything clean. Hand inspect.
5. 3 coats wheel paint in your color choice
6. 3 coats clear coat
It was a crystal clear, calm sunny day so I worked at edge of garage out of sun, but put wheels out in sun to dry between coats. Supposed to keep 10minute intervals between coats so I did 2 wheels at a time.
Always wanted to do this, it was a lot of work, no its not a professional perfect job but I did it, it was fun, it looks great and including the mount/dismount (I have a Coates balancer) only cost $71. In other words, probably less for all 4 than 1 wheel at a refinishing shop. If one gets scraped or damaged, no biggie, easy to redo!! BTW went to tire shop ~9AM, starting cleaning wheels at 10AM, finish last wheels with a few breaks at 1:30 PM. Baked in sun all afternoon , remount at 4:30PM, balanced by 5:30, back on car by PM!!! Even found time to wash my X5 in that time frame while letting my fingers rest.
Will post pics once car is out tomorrow in sun
I did as follows.
1. Strong dishwashing liquid scrub with 3M kitchen scrub sponge, then 3M tampon fine wet scrub all at same wash. 320wt sanding sponge to smooth out any defects
2. Thorough rinse, towel dry
3. Filler Primer (Duplicolor) amazing stuff made my curb trashed edge disappear after 5-6 coats (takes 15seconds/coat done in sun every 5-10 minutes) Start on your worst wheel first so you can do multiple rounds of prime.
4. 150wt fine emory sand paper to smooth out the rash till almost gone, then 320wt sponge to finish. You could rewash, but I used my compressor and air nozzle to blast everything clean. Hand inspect.
5. 3 coats wheel paint in your color choice
6. 3 coats clear coat
It was a crystal clear, calm sunny day so I worked at edge of garage out of sun, but put wheels out in sun to dry between coats. Supposed to keep 10minute intervals between coats so I did 2 wheels at a time.
Always wanted to do this, it was a lot of work, no its not a professional perfect job but I did it, it was fun, it looks great and including the mount/dismount (I have a Coates balancer) only cost $71. In other words, probably less for all 4 than 1 wheel at a refinishing shop. If one gets scraped or damaged, no biggie, easy to redo!! BTW went to tire shop ~9AM, starting cleaning wheels at 10AM, finish last wheels with a few breaks at 1:30 PM. Baked in sun all afternoon , remount at 4:30PM, balanced by 5:30, back on car by PM!!! Even found time to wash my X5 in that time frame while letting my fingers rest.
Will post pics once car is out tomorrow in sun
