refinishing wheels?

[greg donovan]

i got a set of the 15" Turbo wheels the other day. they last saw use as rally wheels. needless to say they are in dire need of a refreshing.

what is the best method to get them prepped for paint?

take them and get them sandblasted?

-or-

bust out the drill and some abrasive attachements and get to work?

they will be painted w/rattle cans so the prep is obviously the most important.

next comes repainting.

i assume i should prime them first, someone suggested using zinc chromate. is that a bad idea?

when i do this should i only pant the face and the inside of the wheel or should i paint the bead and the surface that is under the tire as well?

should i paint the mating surface of the wheel to the hub or leave that bare metal?

and should i follow up w/a clear coat? and would that go over the entire wheel as well?

my other set of turbo wheels (the winter set) were painted by the previous owner and i think he just shot them w/some antrhacite colored wheel paint and called it good w/no prep or clear. they are chipped and dont look that great. i would like these to look better as they will see summer duty on my 95 wagon.

i have poked around the few other threads and i have a few questions that weren't asked or answered in those.

[Brice k]

Go to an automotive pain supply store and pick up some "aircraft" stripper. It comes in paint on form, or aerosol can.

Just spray/dab that stuff on and wait till the old paint bubbles off.

then clean up with a wire bursh, sand the wheels (ruff them up a little to give the primer somthing to hold on to), apply primer, and finish paint.

Powder coating is a very nice option, but cost $40 per wheel and up.


Brice

[greg donovan]

Go to an automotive pain supply store and pick up some "aircraft" stripper. It comes in paint on form, or aerosol can.

Just spray/dab that stuff on and wait till the old paint bubbles off.

then clean up with a wire bursh, sand the wheels (ruff them up a little to give the primer somthing to hold on to), apply primer, and finish paint.

Powder coating is a very nice option, but cost $40 per wheel and up.


Brice

a shop here will bead blast them for 15-20 per wheel and it will take a week to get them back as they do it in their spare time.

chemical stripping sounds much more affordable. granted it wil be more work on my part but that may be the way to go for me as i would rather spend the 60-80 dollars towards a used TMIC.

[206er]

the aircraft stripper still takes some serious elbow grease and is GROSS. I have used it on a couple motorcycle tanks with crappy old paint and it still took several applications.
Ive seen used blasting cabinets for sale for like $50. I would get one but no room for it.

[greg donovan]

closer inspection has revealed that only the face of the wheel is painted.

so that will sove me a TON of work

[Radial GT1]

I sandblased mine, but also had to use aircraft stipper because that paint is TOUGH! And to cut down on blasting time. It is very hard to do lots of blasting when it is 95 outside and your wearing a suit.

Next it was Dupont etch primer on all 4. Than 4 layers of 2001 mazda miata silver with blue pearl mix. Lots of wet sanding, and 4 layers of clear with more pearl in the clear. They look SNAP!

Granted this was all done with professional paints and supplies. You know a body guy by chance? All he needs is some extra silver paint lying around and a couple bucks for the etch primer.

[Radial GT1]

Also if you don't paint both sides, your paint will seperate from moisture working in between the layers from the other side.