Hi all, just getting started into modifying my JK and i'm looking to paint my stock rims black. I've seen a lot of threads and photos of people who have already done this but i'm not sure if I want to go the powder coating route or just spray paint them.

Could someone help provide me with the pros and cons of both? And if I go the spray painting route, what is needed to do this (ie. steps, is sanding necessary, which type of spray paint).

Thanks in advance, I appreciate it.

 

The pro's are :
It gives you something to do.
It doesn't cost much.

The con's are:
It will take some very careful prep work to get full coverage/ no silver left anywhere.
Even if you achieve perfect results, in the end you have a jeep with black wheels.

 

Technically you should sandblast the wheels. However, spray paint will scratch off, that is a given. Powdercoating is much more durable and will stand the test of time. As far as powdercoating goes your looking at 40-60 a wheel for just the sandblasting and powedercoating alone, nevermind taking the tires off and back on.

 

just spray paint em.....

pro- waaaay cheaper, if you hate finish product you can buy black wheels for cheaper than sandblasting and powdercoating. I dont think powder coating is all that tuff, although obviously way better than spray paint.

neg is it will scratch but if you have the rattle can still, itll be an easy fix job haha

 

Is there a specific type of spray paint to use, or will any type off the shelf work? I wouldn't mind having a little 'glossy' finish instead of a "look I spray painted these" look.

Also, do I have to do anything to the color that is already on the wheels? Do I have to sandblast the previous color off or can I just spray paint over the stock wheels?

Finally not to switch gears too much, but if the final product is crap and I want to get black rims, is it as simple as going down to an automotive store and picking any black rim off the shelf and putting the stock tires on those? (sorry it's probb a dumb question, but I don't want to be a fool going into this)

 

Any help with this?

 

I did it. There are several pictures in my-project-jk. After Camp Jeep, I ended up with some rock rash, and I decided the black would hide it better. I used sandpaper to rough them up. Cleaned them Windex Wipes (acetone would be better, but...). The key is Self-Etching Primer. I found it at a car store, made by duplicolor. Ugly green primer, but as soon as you use it you know why it's recommended.

Two coats of primer and three coats of Rustoleum Hammered Black. It's kind of a semi gloss, and the hammered look hides the rock rash better, IMO. I took the wheels off (so as to not spray on the brakes ((almost did that))). Leaned them up against the fence with some cardboard behind them. I had planned on touching them up as needed one by one as I rotate the spare in, but it's been 5 onths and 8000 miles and there are no scratches or flaking.

I didn't do the backside, but I recommend you do. I'm going to do it eventually, If I don't find my dream wheels (and a way to pay for them) first.

 

Black stove paint or hi temp black paint will do. Spray can are alot cheaper to buy

 

Wow great answer, how long did it take for the tires to dry during each phase? IE. How long did you wait in between primers and then the rustoleum? And then the final product before you put the tires back on?

 

Something to keep in mind with the spray paint is how easy it will or won't be to clean when it gets muddy. A gloss with a clear coat will be easier to clean than a flat would be. There is a thread that talks about someone had their wheels powder coated in satin, (a cross between matte and gloss) and they said that the satin was easy to clean. I don't know if that would apply to the satin spray paint or not, but it may. You may want to test several different finishes for how easy they are to clean before you pick one.

As far as prep work, it has a lot to do with which wheels you have. If you have the styled steel wheels, they are already painted, so I'd sand them down, prime them, than spray them. For info on masking, or how to paint them if you have the alloys, check this thread.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...y+paint+method

As far as replacement wheels go, some auto stores have them, but many of the forum sponsors carry them for better deals. I picked up crager soft 8s at Summit Racing for a good deal. (They aren't a sponsor.)

As a suggestion, do the spare first. That way if you don't like it you still have 4 matched wheels on the ground.