Paint 4 Wheels

Most of you know I'm on the path to paint a set of wheels. Currently, in the process of stripping the old paint and removing surface corrosion.

The old paint is amazingly tough. It resists Aircraft stripper. Wire wheel removes it with some effort.

What type of paint would you recommend? Polyurethane, epoxy, latex, acrylic??

What type of paint did Toyota use??

What have you used? Results? Durability? Experience?

BTW, wheels are aluminum alloy.

 

Ok....looks like I found the answer to What type of paint?

2K Urethane. Specifically, Sherwin-Williams Ultra 7000 system of primer, color and clear.

Considering a metallic Smoke Graphite color for the wheels under the Super White truck.

I used a 2K Urethane system on my motorcycle 10 years ago. So far, it looks new and resists gas spills on the tank.

 

OMG!!!! I knew this stuff was going to be $$$$, but criminy!!!!

Just spent $465 at Sherwin-Williams Automotive. Got Primer & hardener, Color & hardener, Clear w/flattener & hardener, Reducer. All quarts.

We discussed options, substrate materials, process and pros/cons for nearly an hour before I settled on a System. I have confidence this system will result in a good, durable appearance. The system is a fully compatible 2K Urethane base.

The local Auto Supply store, who feeds all the local body shops, didn't have a clue. He was suggesting to use an enamel base. He called a friend for assistance, then the suggestion was muddy and unsure. I don't know alot about auto paints, but I do know that enamel is not durable for application on a wheel. I only spent about 20 minutes with this supplier.

Anyhow, when all is done. I will have about $125/wheel invested with Wheels, Stripping and the Paint System. Last item to purchase will be a set of black lug nuts. The lug nuts will hold until I'm allowed out of the doghouse.

So, a BIG SHOUT OUT to Sherwin-Williams Automotive Paint shops and their knowledgeable staff.

For those interested......pics of the process steps will be posted with final results.


BTW, the Ultra 7000 is waaaaayyyyyy overkill. This system is aimed at vehicles <5 yr old with a lifetime paint warranty. Mega $$$, $350 for a quart of color, then all the other stuff gets added.

 

Pay yourself $25hr and let’s see if what the per wheel cost is when done. Look forward to seeing the final results!!!

 

Dupli-Color Wheel Paint over Rustolem self etching primer. No clear coat. Wire wheeling was a lot of effort.

 

Agreed, using a wire wheel to remove the paint and CORROSION is tough work. I've spent roughly 5-6 hours per wheel to accomplish the removal. You will see when the pics are posted why the paint/corrosion needed a wire wheel.

To have a nice clean wheel without paint chips or corrosion patches, then painting/restore would be pointless and unnecessary.


BTW, KleanStrip Aircraft stripper didn't even phase the paint on the wheels.

 

Those look so nice, well worth whatever effort you put in.

 

Ok.... to put a bow on this. The project is complete and the wheels are on the truck.

A few in process pictures and final results. Ignore the dates, I haven't reset the camera.

 

How well do the paints handle tire changes and such? Seams like it would get scratched easily and need touchup. My '06 wheels look similar in wear. Appears to be a lot of work and just wouldn't want perfect looking wheels getting screwed up from tire balancing etc.

 

Depends on the care of the installer.

At this point, mine have been through 1 install with a careful tech running the equipment. No damage.

Balance weights are the stick on type, not the type that crimp onto the edge of the rim.

The 2K urethane based automotive paint is about the toughest paint available. The success of any paint job depends on the surface prep.
I went thru many steps prior to the 1st coat of 2K primer. Wire wheel stripping to bare aluminum, hand sanding with 180 grit AlOx paper, cleaning with acetone while wearing nitrile gloves, 2nd clean with acetone moments before application of primer. Never touch the wheels with bare hands after the 1st clean. Then the application of the primer/paint/clear must be timed to assure a chemical bond between the coats. Temperature of the paints and wheels must be monitored to remain in the proper range.

FWIW, the '06 wheels were painted by Toyota or their supplier. That paint held up for many years.

It is a lot of work. I've got roughly 7-8 hours time invested per wheel. Most of that time was in the prep stages, 5-6 hours/wheel. Total cost investment is less than $200/wheel which include wheels + shipping + paints + lug nuts + mount/balance.

 

500.00 plus plus labor, your labor ? No thanks I can find factory takeoffs OEM 3rd Gen wheels for less than 500 you can locate 2nd Gen in the 250 to 350 range. Why bother painting?

 

We each make our choices for our reasons.

My labor is free. I'd rather be doing wheel refurb than sittin' in front of the TV.

I ended up with something that no one else has...........

 

My truck goes offroad. It took me a few years to trash my OEM wheels. Decided to replace the wheels since I was replacing the tires. Stock Tacoma wheels lack something. I like some of the PRO wheels but everybody has them, and a set of 5 is pushing 1K. If I bought aftermarket wheels I like, there was some probability I’d end up with something in the 1-2K range. Regardless, I’m not going to OR with 1-2k wheels.

Option 2. There are 2 styles of takeoff wheels that I like, except for the color. Both are 4Runner wheels. Waited patiently and got a good deal. DIY painted. Plus DIY repairable, until I replace them.