Painting Aluminum Wheels

KevinA · 01-22-04, 11:05

My son has an old Mazda 323 hatchback that a previous owner put aluminum wheels on - sort of a very low ball BBS wheel (flat "lace"). Well, the lace portion is a gold color and the lip is polished (but not right now).

We'd like to paint the center black and polish the lip again. What would be the best way to prepare the lace section and what type of primer and paint should we use?

I plan on just using a metal polish for the lip and leave it at that.

SouthernZ71 · 01-22-04, 12:40

I brought an old set of alum. wheels to a sand blasting place, cause my previous attempt with sand paper, dremel and primer didn't work. (peeled within 6 months)

They used a real fine bead and blasted everything I needed (think the size they use for glass etching). I then primed and shot with a high temp paint. I saw the car recently at a car show and the rims still look like the day I painted them.

hope it helps....

kgb · 01-22-04, 12:51

If I were you I think I would send them out and have the centers powder coated. That would be the best thing.

nwf_snake · 01-22-04, 12:58

Assuming you would like to keep it low budget since it is an old car, you might try:

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/wheel.html

No black, but the charcoal might look nice.

kgb · 01-22-04, 01:07

Quote:

Originally posted by nwf_snake
Assuming you would like to keep it low budget since it is an old car, you might try:

http://www.duplicolor.com/products/wheel.html

No black, but the charcoal might look nice.

I forgot about this. My steelies for my winter wheels are coated in this. Along with a coat of their clear coat. Came out really nice and they seem to be holding up great with the snow and salt and everything.

KevinA · 01-23-04, 05:18

I'll check out the duplicolor! Thanks for the replys!

audio1der · 01-23-04, 06:16

Painting alloys is not difficult- it all comes down to prep. Make sure you prep the surface you want to paint well, removing old paint, and giving the new coat something to adhere to. When painting, do not rush the job, but use multiple thin coats. I know, I know- this is all common sense, right? That's why it's so easy.
(I have painted my own alloys- this truly is from experience)
Powder coating is more permenent, but painting ca be far cheaper.

dlw · 01-25-04, 07:37

I've painted a couple of sets of alloy wheels with the same urethane primer/paint/clear that I used on the car's bodies and they all have stood up very well. Like everyone says, preparation in the key to any paint job. This is an older shot of my CRV alloy wheels that I painted black (older shot, but they look as good today). It's snowing like h**l right now so getting a new pic is not happening at the moment!