Rustoleum High Performance Wheel Paint - Long Term Review

I painted up a set of 14" steel wheels before mounting some snow tires for this winter using Rustoleum's High Performance Wheel Paint. I'd painted wheels before using general indoor/outdoor enamels, but even when fully dry the coating was quite soft and prone to scratching.

Attachment 8644

Prep details:
Sanded w 80 Grit to knock off the rust, followed up with 220 and 320 grit to finish off.
One Coat of Rustoleum Clean Metal Primer
Two Coats of "HP Wheel Steel" silver paint
Two Coats of the "HP Wheel" Clear

Finished Product:

Attachment 8645

You'll want to give the primer at 2 - 3 hours to fully cure before applying any paint. The wheel paint dries quickly, only 30 minutes was required between coats. After letting the paint fully dry for 24 hours it leaves hard coating, so its got lots of promise!

I'll update the thread after winter for some final thoughts.

Looks nice. I've always just used normal paint (which is softer). I haven't had too many issues, but the wheel paint sounds like a nice/better alternative.

The tire shop didn't do much damage while mounting up the snow tires, some scratches around the outside lip of the rim, nothing unexpected. However there was more chipping than I expected around the lugnuts. The wheel hub flexes a bit when you torque the nuts down, and of course the harder paint won't flex with it.

What snow tires do you use?

I plasti dipped my wheels, which was easier than spray paint because you can just put tire shine restore oil on them and peel off the over spray after.

I picked up a set of Yokohama IceGuard IG52c from Discount Tire Direct while they had a rebate going. I'm interested to see how they'll do.

Finished Product:

Attachment 8654

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thud Slamrod

I picked up a set of Yokohama IceGuard IG52c from Discount Tire Direct while they had a rebate going. I'm interested to see how they'll do.

Finished Product:

Attachment 8654

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I have been very happy with Discount Tires Direct, I run studded Hankook I-pike on all 4 wheels, Love them. I been mounting all my own tires for years, all I do is add 3 oz. of balance beads to each one and go, works great! :D

One winter in the books and the finish held up great! No visible blemishes in the paint at all besides where it was scratched during install. Tires were impressive on the snow and ice as well, great value for the money.

Attachment 9135

Thats great. Thanks for the update.