How To; Paint your wheels w/ out removing them

[WSP Jeep]

So I have been getting a ton of PM's about how I went about painting my wheels and what products I used. So here is a quick write up;

Products needed;
Two cans of Krylon Rust Tough Flat Black spray paint (semi flat black is also a good option)- $5 a can.
One small package of plastic painters drop- $2.50
One or two blocks/pads of sand paper, I used one intended for finishing- $3.00
Roll of Painters tape- $3.00
Deck of cards- $1.50
One can of Dupli-color clear coat- $5
One plastic spray gun- $4

Start by lightly scuffing up the original clear coat with the sand paper. After all of them are sanded, wipe them down thoroughly with windex and let them dry. Tape off your lug nuts with painters tape, stuff the plastic in between the wheels and the brake parts, and then use the deck of cards and place them in between the wheels and the tires. You wheels should look similar to this;

http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx25/WSPJeep/IMG_2639.jpg
http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx25/WSPJeep/IMG_2640.jpg

Start out with really light coats, followed by some heavier coats, and let them dry for 15 or so minutes in between. Once you do your first few coats, pull the plastic out (so it does not get caught in your calipers), and drive your Jeep forward to rotate the wheels. Re apply the paint to the areas in need. Double check all angles, wait a few hours and spray them down with a clear coat. I only applied two light coats of clear.

And there ya go;

http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx25/WSPJeep/IMG_2645-1.jpg
http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx25/WSPJeep/IMG_2646.jpg

[amarkmtu]

What are you gonna do when you have to get a new set of tires and the wheel weights have to be moved around? Thanks gonna be quite the project to get the spots where the wheel weights are feathered in.

[GR33N D3M0N]

thanks for the write up!! im gonna be doing this soon hopefully...

[StoneCold]

Excellent! I'm getting some paint tomorrow, providing it doesn't rain (the joys of living in Scotland:o)

[amarkmtu]

Everyone post pics of their projects... I am always checking in and seeing how the projects turned out.

I have a black WK and would like to do the same thing when my tires get changed over in a few weeks.

[GR33N D3M0N]

^^^yea, im probably gonna take my weights off, and paint it, cuz im probably gonna get tires next week...or when i get new tires, ill have them put the weights inside...

[WSP Jeep]

Ya about the weights, I wanted to remove them but couldnt so I just painted them. Its going to be easy to just tape off the spots where they were once I remove them so Im not worried about it.

[DAVY27]

dam those looks great! saving up for the gloss black reps but i might have to do this in the meantime! +rep

[GR33N D3M0N]

http://tapa.tk/mu/a6890960-ef56-eb48.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WSP Jeep]

Looks good man!

[Megatron]

http://tapa.tk/mu/a6890960-ef56-eb48.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Whoa, what happened to your roof rail? :eek:

[GR33N D3M0N]

haha i took em off paul...workin on how to make it look purty...and thanks Matt...this is what gave me the balls to do it haha

[WSP Jeep]

No problem man, I figured a bunch of guys needed a quick and easy guide to make their WK stand out.

[GR33N D3M0N]

i was asked if i bought new wheels haha, i love it!!

[dmlong47]

yea i got props from the guys at the dealer on mine and always get asked where i found that color of stock rims

[WSP Jeep]

Haha yes its the new trend at JG, deckacardpaintjob.

[Knightrider03m]

When I get my winter tires put on, I'm going to do this.

[Knightrider03m]

Whats the longevity of this paint?

[DAVY27]

BIG thanks to Matt (WSP JEEP),Moe (Gr33n D3mon) and Jeep06 for the tips and info! i used Duplicolor Engine Enamel DE1635-Ford Semi-Gloss Black and finished it with Duplicolor Wheel Coating HWP103-Clear. Came out pretty good imo!

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/011-19.jpghttp://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/012-14.jpghttp://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/014-12.jpg

[GR33N D3M0N]

Lookin sharp :thumbsup:

[Megatron]

Sick, dave put a black grill on that :pimp:

[DAVY27]

thanks Moe and Paul! changes the looks of the WK completely. gonna keep these until spring when i get srt reps!

[Megatron]

thanks Moe and Paul! changes the looks of the WK completely. gonna keep these until spring when i get srt reps!

:eek:

[OBXJeep]

Whats the longevity of this paint?

I used duplicolor engine paint and the duplicolor wheel clearcoat this past NewYears and I'm still going strong. Thats living on a place with plenty of sand and salt air blowing around. Not to mention the beach driving trips whenever possible.

[DGoral31]

guys this thread rocks! i am SO going to do this on my WK... how is the paint holding up?? no chipping or anyhting??:confused:

[OBXJeep]

I had a little chip but that was from a mechanic. The great part about diy paint jobs like this is, I taped it off and fixed it myself. But like I previously said, the wheels have held up to the day in and day out wear and tear of island life.

[GiggityGiggity]

Hey guys, i don't know if you can get this stuff in the US, I'm sure you can, not sure what its called state side but Home Hardware here in Canada sells this stuff called Plasti Dip. Its got a million and one uses, essentially was developed to put a rubberized/plastic coating on handles of tools, etc... but we've found it stand up really well to the elements and is fairly durable and because it stick to just about any surface with out the need for prep or primer its fantastic product for automotive use.

Some people have used it to pant fender flares, body panels, trim and even wheels! It stand up to drive thru car washes and regular hand washes as well. The best part.....it peels right off like a banana peel if you want to remove it. I'll be doing some tests this weekend on my spare rim to see first hand how it works out on my WJ wheels but so far from the people i have been talking too its a great alternative to paint. Apparently if it chips off or peels in areas a spot job repair is possible and not noticeable. Thats another immediate advantage over paint imo.

Heres a link to an old car club i used to frequent and where I found out about it....

http://hondaprelude.to/forums/showthread.php?t=117519

[GR33N D3M0N]

Hey guys, i don't know if you can get this stuff in the US, I'm sure you can, not sure what its called state side but Home Hardware here in Canada sells this stuff called Plasti Dip. Its got a million and one uses, essentially was developed to put a rubberized/plastic coating on handles of tools, etc... but we've found it stand up really well to the elements and is fairly durable and because it stick to just about any surface with out the need for prep or primer its fantastic product for automotive use.

Some people have used it to pant fender flares, body panels, trim and even wheels! It stand up to drive thru car washes and regular hand washes as well. The best part.....it peels right off like a banana peel if you want to remove it. I'll be doing some tests this weekend on my spare rim to see first hand how it works out on my WJ wheels but so far from the people i have been talking too its a great alternative to paint. Apparently if it chips off or peels in areas a spot job repair is possible and not noticeable. Thats another immediate advantage over paint imo.

Heres a link to an old car club i used to frequent and where I found out about it....

http://hondaprelude.to/forums/showthread.php?t=117519


:eek: awesome!!! im gonna do this when i repaint mine!!!

[GiggityGiggity]

:eek: awesome!!! im gonna do this when i repaint mine!!!

Cant wait to try that stuff myself. Comes in spray cans and in paint cans. You can dip it, brush it or spray it, spray is the key!

[GR33N D3M0N]

yea, their site says that Ace Hardware sells it...im gonna check it out after work...

[DGoral31]

You guys think we need to clear coat the Plasti Dip stuff?? I wonder how many coats of spray these guys are using as well

[GR33N D3M0N]

You guys think we need to clear coat the Plasti Dip stuff?? I wonder how many coats of spray these guys are using as well

Idk, I wonder if it's a flat finish

[DGoral31]

Plasti Dip ... is this the stuff?

http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Intl-11203-Plasti-Dip-Spray/dp/B000LNOOEO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1288371480&sr=8-1-catcorr

[GiggityGiggity]

^yup thats the stuff

They say you only need to coat the surface so it looks wet, that's it. One coat is whats needed 99% of the time. It dries flat but they have a clear if you want to give it a gloss finish. Again, this is second hand experience I'm sharing, my first trial with the product will be tomorrow. I'll start a new thread with pics then so as to not hijack this thread any further with Plasti Dip.

[RedRocker]

Crap. Now I have to black out what's left of my chrome, not like I didn't have anything else to do.

I wonder if it'll affect backup sensors? (I suspect so, but only one way to find out.)

[RedRocker]

YouTube has a bunch of vids on Plasti Dipping various items. Here's a guy who did the rims on his GTI:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WS14Jnyf5Q

[DGoral31]

anyone else thinkin what im thinkin???? BLACK EMBLEMS all. day. long. :D:D:D:D

[RedRocker]

anyone else thinkin what im thinkin???? BLACK EMBLEMS all. day. long. :D:D:D:D

I have a bunch of emblem takeoffs and a spare chrome grill I'll be experimenting with this weekend.

[GiggityGiggity]

Group buy? LOL

[OBXJeep]

I tediously taped off the emblem to black it out. But I think it was easier than having to remove it and than get it exactly centered and stock looking afterwards. It would've driven me crazy if I couldn't get it just right.

[DGoral31]

ya right?! you did every emblem like that... dam, that must have taken for ever! how about posting some pics? :)

I tediously taped off the emblem to black it out. But I think it was easier than having to remove it and than get it exactly centered and stock looking afterwards. It would've driven me crazy if I couldn't get it just right.

[GiggityGiggity]

Plasti Dip was sold out so I wasn't able to try it out for you guys today. Should be in on Friday....perfect timing. Get my Wild Peaks same day.

[OBXJeep]

ya right?! you did every emblem like that... dam, that must have taken for ever! how about posting some pics? :)

well I removed all the emblems except the 'Jeep' ones. Just so happens that I noticed a couple of chips on the front emblem when I was washing it today so I'll probably tape off and redo them monday or tues since I'll be off but heres a pic from after I did them the first time....

http://jeepgarage.org/picture.php?albumid=19&pictureid=211

[DGoral31]

yesss, looks awesome! i love the red/black look... im shooting for the silver/black... i will for sure post pics when i get that done.

[OBXJeep]

Thanks. Yea, the "bloodied" look (phrase coined by Scott) is one of my favorites.

[JDubya]

I tediously taped off the emblem to black it out. But I think it was easier than having to remove it and than get it exactly centered and stock looking afterwards. It would've driven me crazy if I couldn't get it just right.

That's what has kept me from removing my emblems to paint them. I also wasn't sure is I wanted black emblems but the PlastiDip is a good idea. If I don't like it, it'll peel right off! I forgot it came in aerosol form, I've always just used the can in which you dip things.

How large of an area did you tape off to prevent overspray? I'm thinking about using a cardboard box around the emblem to make a mini spray booth...

[OBXJeep]

That's what has kept me from removing my emblems to paint them. I also wasn't sure is I wanted black emblems but the PlastiDip is a good idea. If I don't like it, it'll peel right off! I forgot it came in aerosol form, I've always just used the can in which you dip things.

How large of an area did you tape off to prevent overspray? I'm thinking about using a cardboard box around the emblem to make a mini spray booth...


I used newspaper. Just taped off all the emblem stuff and than taped the newpaper up to the edge of the hood and taped it down til about half way down the bumper. And all the way across.

I still haven't had the chance, or motivation when I did have the chance, to re-do mine. I'm off tomorrow so maybe I'll knock it out than and be able to post pics.

[DGoral31]

I used newspaper. Just taped off all the emblem stuff and than taped the newpaper up to the edge of the hood and taped it down til about half way down the bumper. And all the way across.

I still haven't had the chance, or motivation when I did have the chance, to re-do mine. I'm off tomorrow so maybe I'll knock it out than and be able to post pics.

Hey man, that would be really good... I really want to paint mine black as well... i wish Jeep made the emblems one eblem instead of separate letters, i guess thats what we get when we buy a product that has such great attention to detail :)

[ckrawler]

looks good

[patches4231]

just got mine done last night. used the kyron tough rust flat and dupi-color clear. i decided just to completely cover my wheels with plastic. one of my first times with spray paint:D sorry for bad picture quality. its all a blackberry can do
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j402/patches4231/IMG00004-20101123-0134.jpg
http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j402/patches4231/IMG00002-20101123-0134.jpg

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j402/patches4231/IMG00003-20101123-0134.jpg
http://jeepgarage.org/%3Ca%20href=%22http://s1084.photobucket.com/albums/j402/patches4231/?action=view&current=IMG00004-20101123-0134.jpg%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=% 22http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j402/patches4231/IMG00004-20101123-0134.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22Photobucket% 22%3E%3C/a%3E

[OBXJeep]

ok finally re-did the emblems and since it was nice and since I was bored and it's been on my to do list. I painted my rear diff cover too :D. Think I'm gonna paint the shocks black before work tomorrow.

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/cheftonyd/FxCam_1290524540882.jpg

I used (and broke the corner off) my license to push the tape in behind the letters and a small flathead screwdriver to get in down and around the inner part of the P and Es

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/cheftonyd/FxCam_1290525549803.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/cheftonyd/FxCam_1290525799490.jpg

Same with the back

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/cheftonyd/FxCam_1290529276493.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/cheftonyd/FxCam_1290529599768.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/cheftonyd/FxCam_1290528683333.jpg

And the rear diff

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/cheftonyd/DSCN2018.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/cheftonyd/DSCN2020.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab66/cheftonyd/DSCN2021.jpg

[DGoral31]

OBX thats awesome!! Thanks a bunch... i tried to give you super rep power points but apparently i have given out too many in the last 24 hrs so i will be sure to give you +1 as soon as i can.... I will definetely doing the same thing soon. Did you sand down the emblems at all??

[OBXJeep]

hahaha, yea I just got done flipping threw that whole Rep thread. :lol: Appreciate it though

But yea I sanded a little bit. I did two or three coats and sanded between them; just on the front emblem. A few pits on there, I guess because of the bugs and rocks. I followed it up with a coat of automotive clear from dupli-color.

[DGoral31]

+1 rep SON!

[OBXJeep]

haha thanks

[B.P.O.D]

nice work!

[Chuck]

Seriously Davy, I'll pay you to paint my wheels :D

[DAVY27]

LOL Charlie. I'll be more than happy to help yo.just buy me lunch :) LOL. just let me know and we can finish this up in a day! maybe even the calipers too?

[hella_wk]

Very nice! will be doing soon!

[hella_wk]

BIG thanks to Matt (WSP JEEP),Moe (Gr33n D3mon) and Jeep06 for the tips and info! i used Duplicolor Engine Enamel DE1635-Ford Semi-Gloss Black and finished it with Duplicolor Wheel Coating HWP103-Clear. Came out pretty good imo!

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/011-19.jpghttp://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/012-14.jpghttp://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/014-12.jpg

WOW! looks really good dude!! how many can's of paint did you buy?
also did you sand and prime them before you painted?

[DAVY27]

thanks alot! My wheels were in pretty good condition so i lightly sanded them with 400grit and then prime. 2 cans of paint (engine enamel) and 1 can of duplicolor wheel clearcoat

[sexyjeep06]

BIG thanks to Matt (WSP JEEP),Moe (Gr33n D3mon) and Jeep06 for the tips and info! i used Duplicolor Engine Enamel DE1635-Ford Semi-Gloss Black and finished it with Duplicolor Wheel Coating HWP103-Clear. Came out pretty good imo!

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/011-19.jpghttp://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/012-14.jpghttp://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/014-12.jpg

NICE!! :thumbsup:

[Teb10]

DAVY27, i'll prob take a similiar approach...Rims look awesome

[DAVY27]

thanks fellas, appreciated! One of my fav mods so far, changes the look of the rig. Even got several compliments at the dealer when i had the Jeep in for some work.

To those doing it, make sure you sand the lip and lug nut area real well. I may have not or rushed through it and paint is starting to chip there. Barely noticeable but it gets to me lol.

[DGoral31]

DAVY did you paint your wheels while they were on or did you take 'em off???

[DAVY27]

i did em while it was on. if you can, do it with it off, much cleaner with the spray paint. I have a few oversprays spots but its not noticeable unless you're real close.

[lbaisburd]

can this be used to spray the tail lights? will the lights still be able to be seen? and will it melt or peel?

[DGoral31]

can this be used to spray the tail lights? will the lights still be able to be seen? and will it melt or peel?

tail lights are MUCH easier to remove than wheels are ... no use in keeping those on if you're going to paint them. Also, that paint ^^^ will block any light coming from your tail lights and is NOT RECOMMENDED . If you want to paint your tail lights black get it professionally done or go buy a can specifically made for that application such as... http://www.amazon.com/VHT-Nite-Shades-Taillight-Bundle/dp/B001THRG9Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311183801&sr=8-1

[DAVY27]

can this be used to spray the tail lights?
yep
will the lights still be able to be seen?
nope
and will it melt or peel?
nope

if DIY ill go with link above^^. Ill recommend giving it to a pro

[lbaisburd]

can this be used to spray the tail lights?
yep
will the lights still be able to be seen?
nope
and will it melt or peel?
nope

if DIY ill go with link above^^. Ill recommend giving it to a pro

Thanks. Do u know anything about this? http://www.amazon.com/VHT-Nite-Shades-Taillight-Bundle/dp/B001THRG9Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311183801&sr=8-1

I've heard good things so I was thinking of trying. If not, then professional will be next step. I figure it should be easy to remove just in case.

[DGoral31]

Thanks. Do u know anything about this? http://www.amazon.com/VHT-Nite-Shades-Taillight-Bundle/dp/B001THRG9Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311183801&sr=8-1

I've heard good things so I was thinking of trying. If not, then professional will be next step. I figure it should be easy to remove just in case.


that stuff sucks... at first it looks good but after about 2-3 weeks the paint gets a dull look to it. Get them professionally done and they will look 10x cleaner

[DAVY27]

^agreed. i seen several tinted tails go dull driving around and i cant have that on my jeep.

[lbaisburd]

that stuff sucks... at first it looks good but after about 2-3 weeks the paint gets a dull look to it. Get them professionally done and they will look 10x cleaner

sounds like going pro is whats going to happen

[DGoral31]

sounds like going pro is whats going to happen

just be aware there might be warping involved post tinting :rolleyes: