Has anyone painted part of their 18" wheels?
if so, got pics?
link to specific post:
https://mbworld.org/forums/4931725-post2077.html
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I'm just asking bc I am by NO means, a car painter or a mechanic...
However, I am pretty artistic and have a steady hand..
Can this be done by myself?? Could you possibly post a step by step with the required materials?
Looks SWEET!
I first cleaned the whole rim with rubbing alcohol to get any dirt or oils up.
I then lightly sanded all there areas where i am painting with 400 grit sandpaper so the paint will adhere better. be careful not to scuff up any of the polished section of the rim. then wipe down everything with a damp cloth.
Next i masked everything off with blue painters tape that i didn't want to paint or get overspray on, (i got 2 different widths of tape).
After i sanded and cleaned everything i sprayed on a first light coat, and let dry for about 30 mins, then wet sanded with 1500 grit sandpaper to smooth out any imperfections. then sprayed 3 more heavier coats waiting 30 mins and wet sanding in between all. I let everything sit overnight to dry all the way before the next steps. (when you wet-sand it will make the paint a dull finish which is okay)
The next day i wet-sanded with 1500 then with 2000 to smooth out all the way and prepare it for clear coat. Then cleaned everything again, and re-taped areas that the tape had come off from all the sanding. I then sprayed to heavy coats of clear to give it a nice shine. and let it sit for a couple of hours to dry, now you can remove all the tape, and your done.
I wanted a even higher shine so i then wet sanded with 2000 grit knocking of any high spots in the clear coat. and compounded it to a higher shine. You might want to do this too if your clear coat didn't spray on perfect and you see little imperfection.
The materials i used was:
- Blue painters tape, 2 or 3 different widths.
- 400, 1500, 2000 grit sandpaper (usually have to get 1500 and 2000 at a auto store or body shop)
- Rubbing Compound (make sure it says will buff out 1500 or finer scratches)
- Rubbing alcohol
- VHT Wheel Paint
- VHT Clear Gloss
- Goof Off Or Acetone for any unwanted overspray
I attached a picture of the paint i used. hopefully i didnt miss anything. i am sure there are other ways to do this, but this worked great for me.
I first cleaned the whole rim with rubbing alcohol to get any dirt or oils up.
I then lightly sanded all there areas where i am painting with 400 grit sandpaper so the paint will adhere better. be careful not to scuff up any of the polished section of the rim. then wipe down everything with a damp cloth.
Next i masked everything off with blue painters tape that i didn't want to paint or get overspray on, (i got 2 different widths of tape).
After i sanded and cleaned everything i sprayed on a first light coat, and let dry for about 30 mins, then wet sanded with 1500 grit sandpaper to smooth out any imperfections. then sprayed 3 more heavier coats waiting 30 mins and wet sanding in between all. I let everything sit overnight to dry all the way before the next steps. (when you wet-sand it will make the paint a dull finish which is okay)
The next day i wet-sanded with 1500 then with 2000 to smooth out all the way and prepare it for clear coat. Then cleaned everything again, and re-taped areas that the tape had come off from all the sanding. I then sprayed to heavy coats of clear to give it a nice shine. and let it sit for a couple of hours to dry, now you can remove all the tape, and your done.
I wanted a even higher shine so i then wet sanded with 2000 grit knocking of any high spots in the clear coat. and compounded it to a higher shine. You might want to do this too if your clear coat didn't spray on perfect and you see little imperfection.
The materials i used was:
- Blue painters tape, 2 or 3 different widths.
- 400, 1500, 2000 grit sandpaper (usually have to get 1500 and 2000 at a auto store or body shop)
- Rubbing Compound (make sure it says will buff out 1500 or finer scratches)
- Rubbing alcohol
- VHT Wheel Paint
- VHT Clear Gloss
- Goof Off Or Acetone for any unwanted overspray
I attached a picture of the paint i used. hopefully i didnt miss anything. i am sure there are other ways to do this, but this worked great for me.
















