Painting my wheels

Chadly

Chadly

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Not the Cobra's, I bought a set of snowflakes at the junkyard and want to paint them like this:
customsnowflakes001.jpg


Got some questions for yall. They wheels are in good shape, no rusting, and minimal clear coat pealing on one rim only. I have access to a sand blaster, should I use it? will it be too rough for the aluminium? Will it be ok to just sand them down a little by hand? Whats the best way?

Can I just use regular spray paint?

Should I paint the entire wheel or leave a silver rim like Jamie did in the pic above?

Sorry bout all the questions but you guys are the experts.
 
I recommend powdercoating...

The powdercoater would know the best way to prep it.

Sandblasting would depend on the type media used, but would probably be fine. If you leave the outer lip bare though, you'll need to mask it off or else the blasting will dull the finish.
 
How much $ would that be? On a budget here since I work for the govt and the pay sucks.
 
sandblast then aluminium polish lip. then for painted surface use a self etching primer that is designed for the heat and to bond with aluminium. sand smooth then paint center and clear entire rim

or if they are just winter wheels and you dont mind doing it every year just blast the clear off the lip, polish, tape off and spray bomb away dont forget to clear the lip
 
+1 for pc/ polished lip. Plain flakes are the worst.

If you don't want to shell out the money for pc'ing i'd just rattle can them like zmt said. Duplicolor makes a wheel specific paint/clear coat ($7~ea) that works ok. If I had some flakes to mess around with i'd just get the proper primer and some cheaper black paint/cc and layer it on.

P.S. You could alway's plasti-dip em'.
 
Have never been able to get rid of a vibration since I bought the cobras in 2003. They are in good shape cosmetically, but between 40-60 the steering wheel shakes, also between 70-80. I've tried everything but they only fix was when i switched to octastars from the 94 and it was smooth as ice. Sold the 94 with the o-stars so the cheapest route was to get some OEM wheels and I like the look of painted flakes. I have seriously considered selling my car but decided against it, just gonna fix the things I dont like about it, wheels, blend door (again), blower motor connection under kick pannel, sunroof, etc.

Thinking I might just go with the rattle can and touch it up once a year. Not going for show quality, more for ride quality. Once I get it done the cobras will be for sale for pretty cheap if anyone is interested knowing the problems I have had with them.
 
I know you say budget is an issue but there are many good wheel shops that can most likely fix your Cobras. Maybe just do them one at a time. Weld Craft comes to mind but I am sure there are places in your area where you will not have to ship them.

http://www.weldcraftwheels.com/index-3.html

you can even get an estimate with a picture sent to them.
 
man GET THE COBRAS STRAIGHTENED!!!!! like $100 each, and well worth it. have you ever replaced the tires?


and you are in cali... bet there are 5 placed within 100 mi.
 
Ive gone through 3 sets of tires on these wheels, and new rotors too.

I'm in CA, but in the middle of nowhere. Palm Springs is the closest place that might have something and thats 70 miles away. I might call around and see who can do something, but most likely just gonna sell them. Thanks for the advice though.
 
Chadly said:
Have never been able to get rid of a vibration since I bought the cobras in 2003. They are in good shape cosmetically, but between 40-60 the steering wheel shakes, also between 70-80. I've tried everything but they only fix was when i switched to octastars from the 94 and it was smooth as ice. Sold the 94 with the o-stars so the cheapest route was to get some OEM wheels and I like the look of painted flakes. I have seriously considered selling my car but decided against it, just gonna fix the things I dont like about it, wheels, blend door (again), blower motor connection under kick pannel, sunroof, etc.

Thinking I might just go with the rattle can and touch it up once a year. Not going for show quality, more for ride quality. Once I get it done the cobras will be for sale for pretty cheap if anyone is interested knowing the problems I have had with them.
Click to expand...

I know how you feel. That's exactly why I got rid of my 19's. The steering wheel shake was killing me at certain mph. Nothing fixed it. Switched to my crappy 10 spokes, they look horrible but the ride quality was worth it. I'm putting some minty chrome 20 spokes on in a couple week's so that it's somewhat presentable.
 
Think I might give the plasti dip a try. Been reading up on it and it seems to be fairly easy.

So what do yall think, paint the entire wheel or leave the lip? I cant decide.
 
I have a pic of my 96 and i painted a set of spare snowflakes and leaving the lip makes them look tiny. I say paint them complete.
 
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