Show your painted or powder coated "black factory wheels"
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Mundelein, IL
Here's mine painted...
Up close....
A quick rundown....
I took off all 5 wheels leaving the jeep up on jackstands. I suppose 1 or 2 at a time would work, but I wanted an "assembly line" so I could work through all five and by the time I was done with number 5, number 1 would be ready for more work (for the most part). Tires were left on for the whole process.
I sanded each wheel inside and out with a fine grit paper.
I let some air out of each tire to allow me to wedge posterboard between the rim and rubber. I cut a bunch of small pieces of the posterboard with small curves to shield the tire from spray and carefully set it up.
I used self etching primer first on the front and back of each wheel. I put a few light coats and lightly sanded just to make sure it was smooth all around.
After the priming was all set, I used Rustoleum Hammered black spray paint. Once again, set the posterboard template and several light coats on each wheel inside and out. I didn't really worry about making sure the inside was perfect, but I wanted it to be black. I used quick strokes on the outside taking a lot of care to make sure it looked great.
I let everything dry overnight and threw the wheels back on the next day. It's been well over a year and I've only had to touch up one spot. The reason I used the hammered paint was so any touching up would be easy. The textured finish allows you to kind of spray and go if you need to do anything rather than redoing all the prep work.
I think the whole thing cost me about $30 or so. I didn't want to powdercoat since any chip or gash requires a full redo of the wheel.
Up close....
A quick rundown....
I took off all 5 wheels leaving the jeep up on jackstands. I suppose 1 or 2 at a time would work, but I wanted an "assembly line" so I could work through all five and by the time I was done with number 5, number 1 would be ready for more work (for the most part). Tires were left on for the whole process.
I sanded each wheel inside and out with a fine grit paper.
I let some air out of each tire to allow me to wedge posterboard between the rim and rubber. I cut a bunch of small pieces of the posterboard with small curves to shield the tire from spray and carefully set it up.
I used self etching primer first on the front and back of each wheel. I put a few light coats and lightly sanded just to make sure it was smooth all around.
After the priming was all set, I used Rustoleum Hammered black spray paint. Once again, set the posterboard template and several light coats on each wheel inside and out. I didn't really worry about making sure the inside was perfect, but I wanted it to be black. I used quick strokes on the outside taking a lot of care to make sure it looked great.
I let everything dry overnight and threw the wheels back on the next day. It's been well over a year and I've only had to touch up one spot. The reason I used the hammered paint was so any touching up would be easy. The textured finish allows you to kind of spray and go if you need to do anything rather than redoing all the prep work.
I think the whole thing cost me about $30 or so. I didn't want to powdercoat since any chip or gash requires a full redo of the wheel.
Thank you! Finally answer to my question. I wasn't sure how to go about doing mine. I didn't want to have to put my rid up on jackstands and be with out my Jeep (My daily driver) while my rims were out for powdercoating. Thanks again for all you wrote.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Mundelein, IL
WOW!
Those look great! I take it, your Jeep was up on jackstands for a week while you had them out for powdercoating?
You said about $85.00 per wheel?
Did they take the tire off for you and put it back on when finished?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 154
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From: BOOMER SOONER!! (Piedmont OK)
i sanded with red scotch brite pads then wiped down with lacquer thinner then a tack cloth. kinda wished i woulda used self etching primmer but only because i had to grind some rock rash off and paint dosent like to stick to raw aluminum. i painted with pj1 satin black case paint. this is epoxy paint. 8 dollars a can, used 3 cans.
i took the tires off to do this
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Piedmont, NC
I had my factory Sahara wheels painted Black by a local paint & body shop guy (on the side). They were going to be about $85 per wheel, but the price jumped to about $140 per wheel when I added the Sunburst Orange painted wheel slots (inserts) and the center cap too.
The guy (Mike) did a great job. He painted the entire wheel black (front and back sides), plus coats of clear-coat. He kept the tires on the entire time, but he did knock the wheel weights off so I could have them re-installed on the inside of the rim. I took the unbalanced rims to my local dealer who balanced them with weights on the inside.
I know to each their own, but I have received many positive comments on these wheels. I'm glad I spent the money for the look that I wanted.
Here they are:
The guy (Mike) did a great job. He painted the entire wheel black (front and back sides), plus coats of clear-coat. He kept the tires on the entire time, but he did knock the wheel weights off so I could have them re-installed on the inside of the rim. I took the unbalanced rims to my local dealer who balanced them with weights on the inside.
I know to each their own, but I have received many positive comments on these wheels. I'm glad I spent the money for the look that I wanted.
Here they are:
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 800
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Brighton, MI
Attachment 26744
Attachment 26745Here is mine with the Duplicolor spray on bedliner. Has been on for 5 months now without any problems.
Attachment 26745Here is mine with the Duplicolor spray on bedliner. Has been on for 5 months now without any problems.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
yea jack stands for a week and no they do not have tire equiptment, I had pepboys take them off and mount them for me. 425 for powdercoating and 200 for wheel services.
Last edited by limj23; Jul 10, 2009 at 04:38 AM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: BOOMER SOONER!! (Piedmont OK)
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Cumming, GA
I had my factory Sahara wheels painted Black by a local paint & body shop guy (on the side). They were going to be about $85 per wheel, but the price jumped to about $140 per wheel when I added the Sunburst Orange painted wheel slots (inserts) and the center cap too.
The bit of color really set them off. They look great.
Jon.
