Repaint your rusty wheels

For a while now, I've been wanting to repaint my wheels. When I bought the car, the areas of the wheel that were exposed to the sun had faded and rusted as shown below. I wanted to refresh the paint job and make it look decent again.

http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...1&d=1307281653


So, first I removed each wheel. I used a wire brush to knock down the rust, then I used a random orbit sander to clean it down to the metal.

http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...1&d=1307281653


Next, I taped up around the tire and took some rubbing alcohol and cleaned up the wheel so it was ready for paint.

http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...1&d=1307281653


First, the wheel got a coat of etching primer.

http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...1&d=1307281653


Then, it got two coats of flat black paint.

http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...1&d=1307281653


The finished look looks pretty good IMO. Still debating weather to put the wheel covers back on or not. They're kind of beat up and could use paint too.

http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...1&d=1307281743


Here is the best before picture I had. Unfortunately I don't have any pics without the wheel covers on.

http://www.aveoforum.com/forum/attac...0&d=1307281923

I just sand blasted the five rims and had them powder coated:

Attachment 4273

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Daox

For a while now, I've been wanting to repaint my wheels. When I bought the car, the areas of the wheel that were exposed to the sun had faded and rusted as shown below. I wanted to refresh the paint job and make it look decent again.

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How long did it take them to dry? Need to do something with my rims, they look like crap.

+1 for no wheel covers. The axle nuts are a pain to remove either way.

Not real long. Of course it mainly depends on the paint you use. The label wil give you drying times. I did them leisurely over a Saturday.

I like how the paint is not faded where the hubcaps are located, means those are atleast doing their job lol. You did a nice job cleaning them up and painting them, I need to give mine the same treatment.

Sorry for bringing the thread back from the dead but I was just wondering if you left the wheel covers off of yours. I'm thinking about painting my wheels a flat black and wanted to see what someone thought about it after they did it.

That would depend on your personal preference. The hubcaps do provide protection, but are not necessary. I personally will leave mine on as long as I am usiing the factory Rims. I might paint them as well as the rim when I do the project.

I eventually ended up putting the covers back on after I repainted the covers. They were pretty scratched up from the previous owner.

Alternatively, You could've painted the wheel cover rust coloured. :p But I like the guy that powder coated. WOW. Talk about a lifetime finish. Nice. :headbang:

Hey, what kind of a paint did u use?
I used aerosol paint and not so happy with the result
Look what ive done =(
http://tuning1.net/chevrolet/5720_ch...nd_generation/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Venya

Hey, what kind of a paint did u use?

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I used high-temp aerosol. Go to homedepot and buy a can of paint for your barbecue grill. I used BLACK MATTE. If you don't clean your wheels properly before applying you will get terrible results. I used paint stripper to remove the ageing paint and clean anything from the surface. The with some fine sandpaper go over the rust areas(if any). Then give light coats moving the can from one side to another like you were using a professional paint gun. Do not spray in one spot as that will cause a bad finish and the paint will gloop and run. The technique is important.

I used a hair dryer to dry the paint faster and get it ready for the next coat. Use a cardboard box and cut out a hole for the hair dryer nozzle and a small one at the bottom to allow the air to flow through, at the opposite end of the box from the hair dryer nozzle hole. After every coat stick it the box and run the hair dryer for 15 minutes. Come back for the second or third coat, but two is usually good. On the last coat run the dryer for 30 -45 minutes. You rim should be ready to mount. Touch the paint in an obscure area. Try to dig your nail into it. If its soft leave in the drying booth(box) longer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Venya

I used aerosol paint and not so happy with the result
Look what ive done =(
Tuning Chevrolet aveo sedan (2nd generation) 1.6 116hp | American Auto Tuning - Best cars

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Saw it.. nice. However I was referring to the stock rims. It looks like yours are polished metal.

I just used a regular enamel paint from a local hardware store.