Flat Black Wheels

[4WDlifeform]

Hey guys. I have a moderate experience with painting, but I have never done a flat black job. I have the "ecco" wheels (I think is how they are referred?) But, I really like them, and I want to keep them, but I think I'd like them a whole lot better in a flat black. Currently they are silver/grayish.

I realize Im painting wheels, and I do wheel, usually every-other weekend when weather is nice. I understand that its probably going to chip... but, what is the BEST thing I can do? Maybe keeping in mind, easy touch-ups?

With flat black, I'm under the assumption that there will be no clear coat? that would ruin the "flatness" right? Could I use a more "strong" paint? maybe even spray-on bed liner, without the texture though? i understand that is flat in color, and could hold up to abuse? What about Epoxy paints? Caliper paint? Let me know what you guys would suggest.

Also, I'm going to paint these with tires on. Any tips would be good in regards to this too. I have used playing cards to wedge in for four-wheeler wheels before. Other suggestions?

Sorry to throw a bunch of questions, but wanted to get it all out there. Thanks in advance!

 

[old_man]

The best way is to pull your tires, then have them powder coated. You can do it yourself with about a hundred bucks worth of equipment. The second option is to use automotive acrylic enamel paint with a flattener added. Third is one of the new dual stage paints where you paint it a flat black and they have a special clearcoat that is flat as well.

 

[4WDlifeform]

Thanks for the tips. Powder coating (as much as I would love to) is really going to be a hard one for me. I never powder coated before for one, and pulling tires, oven... all extra expenses I really should avoid right now. I do hope to have a powder coating system some day!

I also do not have air system with paint gun... so two is out of reach for me as well. Could you give me more info on the dual-stage paints though? I have not seen these before... That also require a gun? I was looking to get away with this by using rattle-cans... if its not recommended by you guys, then ill wait for better equip, though I have seen some great work on here with can jobs. Thanks!

 

[4WDlifeform]

OK... I think I'm leaning toward High Gloss Black now. My girl talked me into "shinny" wheels haha and I really think I would like the "shinny-ness" myself.

Here is what I think I'm going to do... Sand and rough all the current paint on the wheels. Self-etching primer (seems like that stuff is talked highly on here) and then either Rustoliums or other high brand of High Gloss Black, and a High-end Clear to seal the deal. I have seen some gun-metal paint jobs on here, and looks like with that process, I should get a nice, shinny wheel! Any tips? sound good to you guys?

 

[Tdad]

I painted my OE wheels with Duplicolor wheel paint.
Scuff them with light paper or a scotchbrite pad, clean them off and then spray with Duplicolor self-etching primer. Follow that up with the paint. I bought 2 cans of each to paint 5 wheels and had some left over.
It's been on for 2 years without a single chip.

Here's a wheel right after painting:

They don't look that glossy once fully dry. Here's a pic of them on the Jeep:

 

[old_man]

Looks nice.

 

[kf_chris]

I cleaned mine, little scuff, taped off the tire (it takes a while). Sprayed with some spray bomb stuff. It looked good and still does now that the wheels are on my dad's jeep. No reason to have a beauty queen I think.

 

[4WDlifeform]

I painted my OE wheels with Duplicolor wheel paint.
Scuff them with light paper or a scotchbrite pad, clean them off and then spray with Duplicolor self-etching primer. Follow that up with the paint. I bought 2 cans of each to paint 5 wheels and had some left over.
It's been on for 2 years without a single chip.

Here's a wheel right after painting:

They don't look that glossy once fully dry. Here's a pic of them on the Jeep:

Looks good. You did not mention a clear coat. Did you clear them? The look you have, was what I was first considering... I think I want something really glossy though...

 

[Tdad]

Looks good. You did not mention a clear coat. Did you clear them? The look you have, was what I was first considering... I think I want something really glossy though...

No, no clear coat on mine. Duplicolor does make a clear coat though.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

A single layer or 2 of clear should not "gloss" it up too much.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

i want to rhino line my wheels...





:viking:

 

[urban yan]

Also, I'm going to paint these with tires on. Any tips would be good in regards to this too. I have used playing cards to wedge in for four-wheeler wheels before. Other suggestions?

Most guys use index cards, so you were pretty close using playing cards lol..
BTW. I did a quick google search for "duplicolor wheel diy", and this was one of the first threads I found.. it seems fairly comprehensive.
http://search.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2383991

i want to rhino line my wheels...
:viking:

I had mine powdercoated hammertone

 

[4WDlifeform]

For once, central PA has seen an above average day!! We hit mid 50s with clear skies! wow! So, certainly took advantage of that! Went shopping, and ended up getting some paint and prep supplies, and painted my spare rim as the "guinea pig" before conquering the main 4.

Here is how it turned out:

I apologize for the grainy pics... low lighting... But, I give myself a 9 out of 10 on the job. I used rustolium primer, krylon gloss black (for metal), and some sort of high dollar clear coat that I cant remember what its called right now...

What I did:
Sanded the rim with 50 grit. Then with 150. Cleaned and scrubbed.
light coat of primer, 2 medium coats of primer. Sanded and smoothed with 800 grit.
Light coat gloss black. 3 more "medium" coats.
Let dry to touch. Applied decal.
Two medium coats of clear.

What I think I will change:
last coat of clear needed to be heavier

Let me know what you guys think! Tomorrow they are calling for as nice, or better weather here, so I think I'm going to go ahead with the rest of the wheels while the weather is good here. Ill post up with better pics, and hopefully pics with wheels on the jeep!

Something else I'm pondering... After the wheels completely cure, say in 2 days just to be certain, how do you guys feel about a coat of wax?? I'm thinking this will help repel mud/salty slush, improve the finish, and even protect it from abrasions? Anyone against this? for it?

Thanks guys for all your feedback and advice!

 

[urban yan]

I would prefer a satin finish myself, and it looks like some of the index cards got stuck to the paint, but other than that I think you did a great job. Good luck with the remaining rims.

 

[4WDlifeform]

Thanks. The rims were a bit wet when I sat the cards in, so some kinda ripped when I pulled them out. The paint was not compromised haha. Ill have to pick that stuff out.

 

[xjchris98]

Try using playing cards instead of index cards :thumbup:

 

[4WDlifeform]

Try using playing cards instead of index cards :thumbup:

Actually used an old deck of uno cards haha. But yeah... gonna use a more "wax coated" card next time haha

 

[4WDlifeform]

I hate to read through a thread, and never see a happy ending. Here is my "happy" ending haha.

Just finished up all the painting today. And miraculously, we had yet, ANOTHER nice day here in central PA!! So, got a few shots of the finished work to share with you guys.

I decided to conquer the bed lining from the trim down. I used the Dupli-color roll on style. Used it before, and I think its as close as you can come to the real thing. Also, Trimmed the front bumper and bed lined that as well. Installed tow hooks and brackets.

The wheels did not turn out as nice as the first "trial" spare rim did. For some reason, the clear coat cracked on one wheel, and was foggy on the others. Nothing changed from the first wheel I did... I recovered as best as I could. Im hopping that a good coating of wax can help shine them up. All in all, im happy with the result! Looks almost like a whole new jeep!

Also to mention, I ran out of body molding tape for the side trim... So, just picture in your minds that its there! :looney:

 

[hubs97xj]

Like the lights in the bumper. What kind/what are they from? Bought some lights to do just that, but they are too deep to fit where I want them.

 

[4WDlifeform]

Like the lights in the bumper. What kind/what are they from? Bought some lights to do just that, but they are too deep to fit where I want them.

The lights in the bumper are actually motorcycle driving lights haha. They were sitting in the "junk" pile in the garage, so I thought i'd give them another shot at life. They are an enclosed bulb type, similar to our headlights (but round). I had to cut a 4" hole and I used a massive rubber washer type thing to press them against the edging on the holes that were cut. They are difficult to aim though... they are still shooting too low. I wired them right into the factory driving light circuit.