Painted some rims today... just sharing

[eswanson]

I went over to Ron's shop today and after having the rims blasted and working out most of the kinks in the spokes I finally got to painting. Not a bad first shot. For those who want to know, that is a very hot red that is a Ford color according to paint and body shop. They are going on my Huckster. I may put black caps in there to go with the other black pieces.

[Purdy Swoft]

Looks good!!!!! I really like red wheels.

[Doug in NJ]

That garage floor is going to forever remain red, with a couple of gray circles...

Doug

[broommaker]

The wheels really look great!!!!!

[Ross/Kzoo]

I thought they were blue. Why can't I see them now?

[Joe Young]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Like your wheels, but I tried something different. Made an electric wheel rotator using a grill motor. The speed is just right and you can get paint in all areas without runs. Can do one each day by sandblasting, prime with 2k primer and paint 2 hours later. Used Dupont Centari enamel which gets dust free in 10 minutes. Hope you don't mind me adding my idea. Joe Young Slapout, AL

[eswanson]

Joe, I don't mind. I had them sandblasted by someone else (I don't have that gear to do it well). I then primed them all in the morning. After Lunch I painted them. Both with the paint and the primer I hit the spokes first (back side first then the front). Then I hit the rest of that side and once dry I flipped and did the rest. These were all done by 3. Good times.

[Peter J]

Eric,
No insult intended but did you use a rattle can(s)? I'd like to paint some rims myself but I don't have a painting rig (or the know how).
They look great by the way.
Pete

[eswanson]

Pete,

I didn't use rattle cans. I used a HVLP gun and PPG paint. The guns were from Harbor Freight so they were economical. The lower pressure means you don't need that large of a compressor to make it all work. The know how was shared to me buy two guys who have done it before. Mostly, read up on it, practice on cardboard and give it a try. The mindset that says I can do this if I work at it will help ya through the hard spots. Also some great folks helping teach you will also do wonderful things.

Eric

[RUNNERBUN]

Looks like a very nice job there. Painting wheels well is not the easiest job to do as you need to get at the wheel from many different angles. I have painted wire wheels from 2 Model T Fords and a Model A ford with quite respectable results by mounting a front wheel stub axle complete with bearings and hubs in a solid work vice at an angle of approx 45 degrees to the bench. Spinning slowly by hand I was able to paint both sides of the wheel in the one go. By using some old wheel nuts in place will prevent any paint getting under the nuts which would only peel off the very first time you bolt the wheel to the car. Also handy is a light plastic drop sheet to prevent painting your workbench the same colour as your wheels.

Runnerbun

[Pilotdave]

Some really clever ideas to make the painting process go better. Thanks.

[Peter J]

Eric,
Thanks for the encouragement. I'll check out the stuff at HF. I only have a pancake type of compressor and was hesitant about getting a paint gun then finding out I didn't have the air volumn.
Pete

[eswanson]

Pete,

The pancake should have enough pressure, you may have to do some shorter periods of painting but the rims should be okay to do. I have a 5hp 20 gallon and it did my cowl just fine with an HVLP gun.

Eric

[Stinch]

Originally Posted by Joe Young

Like your wheels, but I tried something different. Made an electric wheel rotator using a grill motor. The speed is just right and you can get paint in all areas without runs. Can do one each day by sandblasting, prime with 2k primer and paint 2 hours later. Used Dupont Centari enamel which gets dust free in 10 minutes. Hope you don't mind me adding my idea. Joe Young Slapout, AL

Nice set up and a great idea. Thanks for posting, I've been trying to figure out how to paint my wheels and this looks great.

Rich