Honda and Acura Appearance/Cosmetic Forums

PatrickGSR94 · 10-25-2002, 12:48 PM

Since lots of people have been asking about my wheels, I figured I would make a how-to for everyone to see. First, I'll go through the process I followed:

1. Clean off wheels thoroughly, then lay wheel/tire flat on ground.
2. Scuff wheel with sandpaper, then clean wheel again.
3. Stick index cards around edge of wheel between tire and wheel to keep paint off of tires.
4. Spray several light coats of paint onto wheel. I used DupliColor Wheel Paint, graphite color, available from AutoZone, $4/can.
5. Spray several light coats of clearcoat if desired, depending on how shiny you want the final product to be. Clearcoat will also make the final finish feel smoother.

Now, after doing that, here is what I have observed needs to be done in addition to those steps above:

- Before painting, you should use an aircraft stripper to remove ALL original clearcoat and any paint that is on the wheel to begin with. Take it down to bare aluminum.

- Clean wheel, strip off clearcoat (use gloves, and try to keep the stuff off the tires), clean off residue, clean/wash wheel again, then paint as above.

- As far as primer, I'm not sure if that should be used beforehand or not. I didn't, but you might have better results if you use it.

And now the before:

And after:

*NEW EDIT*

I touched up my wheels last week, added a bunch more gunmetal paint, and this time I used a TON of clear on top of it. Now they have a wet look to them which I think looks really nice.

Modified by PatrickGSR94 at 10:22 AM 1/13/2007

This ad is not displayed to registered or logged-in members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Honda-Tech!

typeR#0427 · 10-25-2002, 01:56 PM

thanks for the tip

TRE_ · 10-25-2002, 02:09 PM

Quote:

thanks for the tip

Ian, You need to do that to your car! Go wingless too! Looks ****ing awesome.

weakGOODJunKieS.com · 10-25-2002, 02:26 PM

s2000 antenna?

Homer_Simpson · 10-25-2002, 02:33 PM

hey patrick,

could u post some close ups of the rims?? thanks..

Will-

lilxvtecxpwr · 10-25-2002, 03:18 PM

nice...i'd think they'd look better w/ the center caps though.

i've seen some si's that color, i think that shit looks really good, id sport em.

Damon B. · 10-25-2002, 03:43 PM

I feel like I see this car everytime I open a link...

vtecnologist1 · 10-25-2002, 03:57 PM

Quote:

I feel like I see this car everytime I open a link...

yeah !!!!!! i see that thing everywhere
those pics are old too....

**** the rims, paint the car.....

PatrickGSR94 · 10-25-2002, 09:26 PM

huh? what are you all talking about? 1998? *shrugs*

I had painted my centercaps before the wheels, and put too much clearcoat... they look different than the wheels. I wanted to go with Si centercaps left unpainted but they don't fit right. Oh well, I like them fine w/o centercaps.

[Modified by PatrickGSR94, 11:28 PM 10/25/2002]

ricodemus · 10-31-2002, 08:40 AM

I'd just like to say thanks for the post. Looks good dude.

KEVlN · 10-31-2002, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Your car looks great in this pic Patty!
-kev

Jesse H · 11-02-2002, 08:12 PM

How is the finish holding up? Does it cheep or scratch easily?

EpDarks · 11-02-2002, 10:27 PM

Do you think the aircraft stripper is really necessary?

Some friends and I just sanded the wheel well, and never used any stripper, 6 months later it's doing great.

Just curious on what your thoughts are.

SOHC_MShue · 11-02-2002, 10:57 PM

nice wheels

ebelp · 11-03-2002, 05:42 AM

Good tips Patrick...that was basically my routine too. I didn't use aircraft stripper or primer though. My wheels still look as good as the 1st day and it's been about 2 months....

before

after

That 1st pic was the day after I put my Neuspeed race springs on....you can tell how much they've settled in the 2nd pic.

ebelp · 11-03-2002, 05:43 AM

Well, maybe it just the grass in the second pic making my car look low....hehe

boosting · 11-03-2002, 10:53 AM

patrick, ebelp one of you sell me your rims!!

PatrickGSR94 · 11-03-2002, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Do you think the aircraft stripper is really necessary?

Some friends and I just sanded the wheel well, and never used any stripper, 6 months later it's doing great.

Just curious on what your thoughts are.

Did your paint ever chip or flake off around the very outer edges (right up next to the tire)? If I had tires w/ rim guards, that area of my wheel might not be so exposed, but right now it is. I can take the paint off that area with my fingernail, because the OEM clearcoat is still around the outer edges of the rim, which is from me not being able to get to that part w/ sandpaper (the area where you stick index cards to keep paint off the tires).

Some of the paint also flaked off that same area around the edges when I had the car aligned awhile back (the laser devices that clamp to the wheel took a bit of paint off). I'm thinking that if I had used the aircraft stripper, all that OEM clearcoat would have come off and the paint would have stuck better.

Superdragr45 · 11-03-2002, 12:04 PM

i have powdercoated wheels. is it harder to paint those than just the alloys??

ebelp · 11-03-2002, 12:12 PM

Quote:

patrick, ebelp one of you sell me your rims!!

Sure, I'll take a trade for a set of bronze C8's!

ElectronBlueGSR · 11-04-2002, 12:30 AM

I think it's best to use 400 grit sand paper, that's what I did and it turned out great.

Here's a pic of some 96 GSR rims in DupliColor Graphite Gray

We did my friend's Impreza rims cuz he liked mine so much hehe

iam7head · 11-04-2002, 12:48 AM

Here my version...
also some picture when i diy'ed..
painting the brake thingie..
saw off CAI
painting side skirt
leather kit installation
who's the DIY king now? jk

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?i...ulation_page=Y

oh yeah..some close up picture too!

[Modified by iam7head, 8:50 AM 11/4/2002]

SMZ GSR · 11-11-2002, 07:42 PM

PatrickGSR94 - Good info man, thats the same color i've been thinking about doing my 98 GSR wheels in.
Does anyone know if AutoZone carries other good colors? Like a good Bronze.

xjohnx · 11-16-2002, 06:00 AM

Quote:

I think it's best to use 400 grit sand paper, that's what I did and it turned out great.

Here's a pic of some 96 GSR rims in DupliColor Graphite Gray

Just a tip, but in the future don't waste your time with the masking tape, just put a lot of armor all tire gel on the tires, any overspray will just wipe right off.

illi Adik · 11-16-2002, 11:46 AM

How easy is it to get the paint off if I would want to someday?

10-25-2002, 01:56 PM	#2
typeR#0427 Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: under the hood of a HONDA, az, usa Posts: 3,385	Re: How-to: painting wheels (PatrickGSR94) thanks for the tip __________________ "Everyone will die, but few of us choose to live" vouchthreadhttp://www.honda-tech.com/zero...age=1

10-25-2002, 02:26 PM	#4
weakGOODJunKieS.com Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: 99,999, posts aka FrostWhiteDC4 Posts: 2,590	Re: How-to: painting wheels (HybridJDMHonda) s2000 antenna?

10-25-2002, 02:33 PM	#5
Homer_Simpson Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Westwood, Ca Posts: 1,039	Re: How-to: painting wheels (importoverdomestic) hey patrick, could u post some close ups of the rims?? thanks.. Will- __________________ doh!

10-25-2002, 03:18 PM	#6
lilxvtecxpwr Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TX, USA Posts: 1,172	Re: How-to: painting wheels (cHinKrAcEr) nice...i'd think they'd look better w/ the center caps though. i've seen some si's that color, i think that shit looks really good, id sport em. __________________ JSPEK.com Pro-Drag Racing

10-25-2002, 03:43 PM	#7
Damon B. Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Federal Way, Wa, usa Posts: 1,445	Re: How-to: painting wheels (lilxvtecxpwr) I feel like I see this car everytime I open a link... __________________ I'm DUI hardly ever caught sober, and you're 'bout to get ran the expletive over... 07 Lexus ES350 black is back. 04 ivory pearl G35 6spd-3 fun years, but gone now 99 Si type r powered-SOLD http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/emsad.gif 03 cbr 600RR-SOLD http://images.honda-tech.com/set1//smile/emcrook.gif

10-25-2002, 09:26 PM	#9
PatrickGSR94 *PnP Hater Moderator* 1994 Acura Integra Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Rich Redneck Country, U.S.A. Posts: 25,184	Re: How-to: painting wheels (chrisonepointsix) huh? what are you all talking about? 1998? shrugs I had painted my centercaps before the wheels, and put too much clearcoat... they look different than the wheels. I wanted to go with Si centercaps left unpainted but they don't fit right. Oh well, I like them fine w/o centercaps. [Modified by PatrickGSR94, 11:28 PM 10/25/2002] __________________ Please do not PM me with technical questions. Create a thread in the appropriate forum. H-T OG member #8927 class of '02 ● Koni + GC Install ● HID retrofit club member #0001

10-31-2002, 08:40 AM	#10
ricodemus Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The First State Posts: 5,205	Re: How-to: painting wheels (PatrickGSR94) I'd just like to say thanks for the post. Looks good dude. __________________ 90 Civic Si 93 Integra LS-S - wrecked and stripped 01 Maxima 20th Ann. Ed. - traded in 05 Civic EX

11-02-2002, 08:12 PM	#12
Jesse H New User Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Sugar Land, TX, USA Posts: 1,975	Re: How-to: painting wheels (PatrickGSR94) How is the finish holding up? Does it cheep or scratch easily? __________________ fwd = suck МОΛΏΝ ΛΑΒΈ 99 Miata Sport 06 Triumph Speed Triple 98 CL 5-speed

11-02-2002, 10:27 PM	#13
EpDarks Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: mpls mn Posts: 2,248	Re: How-to: painting wheels (Jesse H) Do you think the aircraft stripper is really necessary? Some friends and I just sanded the wheel well, and never used any stripper, 6 months later it's doing great. Just curious on what your thoughts are.

11-02-2002, 10:57 PM	#14
SOHC_MShue Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Richmond, Va, usa Posts: 11,365	Re: How-to: painting wheels (EpDarks) nice wheels __________________ Neptune Dealer www.adrenalineautoworks.com

11-03-2002, 05:42 AM	#15
ebelp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NY, USA Posts: 11,667	Re: How-to: painting wheels (chrisonepointsix) Good tips Patrick...that was basically my routine too. I didn't use aircraft stripper or primer though. My wheels still look as good as the 1st day and it's been about 2 months.... before after That 1st pic was the day after I put my Neuspeed race springs on....you can tell how much they've settled in the 2nd pic. __________________ Vouches. AccessPhoto.com 94 GSR --> 01-0213 --> 05 STi

11-03-2002, 05:43 AM	#16
ebelp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NY, USA Posts: 11,667	Re: How-to: painting wheels (ebelp) Well, maybe it just the grass in the second pic making my car look low....hehe __________________ Vouches. AccessPhoto.com 94 GSR --> 01-0213 --> 05 STi

11-03-2002, 10:53 AM	#17
boosting Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Jackson, NJ, USA Posts: 19	Re: How-to: painting wheels (ebelp) patrick, ebelp one of you sell me your rims!!

11-03-2002, 12:04 PM	#19
Superdragr45 Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: iLLuMiNatioN 2, ObScuRiTy Posts: 2,523	Re: How-to: painting wheels (PatrickGSR94) i have powdercoated wheels. is it harder to paint those than just the alloys?? __________________ 03 AP1.......06 CBR600RR.....-Leo Vince/BMC/Factory Pro Norcal/Sacramento weekly meets promoter

11-04-2002, 12:30 AM	#21
ElectronBlueGSR Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 239	Re: How-to: painting wheels (ebelp) I think it's best to use 400 grit sand paper, that's what I did and it turned out great. Here's a pic of some 96 GSR rims in DupliColor Graphite Gray We did my friend's Impreza rims cuz he liked mine so much hehe

11-04-2002, 12:48 AM	#22
iam7head Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SoCal Posts: 17,208	Re: How-to: painting wheels (ElectronBlueGSR) Here my version... also some picture when i diy'ed.. painting the brake thingie.. saw off CAI painting side skirt leather kit installation who's the DIY king now? jk http://www.imagestation.com/album/?i...ulation_page=Y oh yeah..some close up picture too! [Modified by iam7head, 8:50 AM 11/4/2002] __________________ Honda s2000 Ap1 00' Silverstone(153lb-ft of torqueless wonders) Mazda Miata Mx-5 90' BMWjetblack(116hp of ball-less fury)

11-11-2002, 07:42 PM	#23
SMZ GSR Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Corona, CA, USA Posts: 9,655	Re: How-to: painting wheels (PatrickGSR94) PatrickGSR94 - Good info man, thats the same color i've been thinking about doing my 98 GSR wheels in. Does anyone know if AutoZone carries other good colors? Like a good Bronze. __________________ My FS/WTB Thread Updated Daily w/ new parts and all pics. www.JLBMotorsports.com http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/emthup.gif http://images.honda-tech.com/set1/smile/emthup.gif

11-16-2002, 11:46 AM	#25
illi Adik Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Frederick Posts: 3,984	Re: How-to: painting wheels (PatrickGSR94) How easy is it to get the paint off if I would want to someday? __________________ 2005 Honda S2000 1995 DB8 (Sold) 1990 Talon TSi AWD (Sold)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search