DIY Wheel Paint- Thoughts?

[DGS]

I have stock wheels on my 2018 JL Sport. I don't mind the shape, but for me, I'd prefer them to be black rather than the stock silver/grey. I've seen a video or two of people doing the paint themselves. Essentially cleaning/degreasing, sanding, spraying with automotive paint then finishing with clear coat. Is this a good idea or a total waste of time? The final pics I saw looked good but I also have no idea of how they looked 5K, 10K, or 15K miles later.

Anyone out there have real life experience doing this?

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[kah.mun.rah]

It's all in the prep. I don't have the patience for that so would either have them powder coated (about $100 per wheel) or just sell them and buy a set of wheels the color you like.

 

[Trekkor2020]

Kay.man.rug is correct. The prep is vital to the outcome. I’ve done two sets of wheels before they had tires mounted. Lots of cleaning, degreasing, scuffing, multi coats, clear coats. First time using spray cans. 2nd time using catalyst two part with spray gun. I was happy with the results on both, but off-roading will cause damage. I didn’t have any from street driving. Powder coati g in my area is $150-200 per wheel. So, paint was much cheaper.

 

[Terrymo]

I’d vote to get them bead blasted and powder coated if you really love the wheels and know for sure you will keep them, Are there other black OEM or aftermarket wheels you could buy instead?

 

[grimmjeeper]

I will agree that it's all about the prep. The prep quality can make or break your paint job.

It's not a difficult process but you have to be a little OCD and really focus on every last detail. And doing that is very time consuming so patience is also required.

But it can be very rewarding to have done it yourself. If you think you can do it, give it a shot.

If you don't quite want to do the stripping and other prep work, you can probably find some shop that can fully bead blast the wheels clean. Then it's just a matter of washing the dust off with a good paint prep spray and shooting the paint on.

 

[ASSFROW]

https://www.amazon.com/DipYourCar-H...16&sprefix=wheel+hyperdip,aps,182&sr=8-6&th=1

 

[Bill_BCNtoNY]

Just painted mine gold with rattle cans (couldn’t find the right paint to use the gun), and it was a chore. Turned out ok-ish from 10ft, and that’s about it:

in any case, if I understad correctly what you want to do… have you considered getting a set of these instead?
https://ebay.us/m/cYM2os

If you wanted them matte, painting these is probably a lot easier than painting the wheels. I only found out they existed when I was halfway through my paint job, or I would have gone with the covers.

 

[DGS]

Thanks all. I had no idea that wheel skins existed. I think that might be the winning solution.

 

[D00KEY]

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/painted-my-stock-wheels-great-improvement.8459/

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

Plasti Dip

 

[Gregj]

Four years ago I painted theses wheels with Duplicolor wheel paint. I just scuffed them good with a scotch brite pad degreased them and many coats later I sanded off the area to highlight what I wanted. Added a little red Jeep and clear coated them. Been happy with the results.

Take your time and they can come out great.
Gregj

 

[MntGoat]

Well, I say buy an old oven, dual voltage powder coat gun and some powder and go for it.

You'll need an air compressor.

Sand,clean....and learn to paint. You'll be hooked.

PC is bought by the pound, I used about 3 pounds for my 5 wheels, had to re-do several ... because of the color change to get them to match

 

[Trails]

Whatever you choose, it seems that a flat (not glossy) finish would be easiest to touch up after trail rock rash. Don't sress over the finish. They're going to get dinged up anyway, unless you keep it on the pavement.

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