Painting alloys, lazy and cheap option
Discussion
The situation: Picking up an MX5 at the weekend, can't wait! 1990 Mk1 with a few battlescars
The problem: It's got shockingly awful goldy bronze coloured wheels
The question(s): What's the best cheap DIY option. Can I paint them with the tyres on? What colour? the car is red. I'm thinking black or white
The problem: It's got shockingly awful goldy bronze coloured wheels
The question(s): What's the best cheap DIY option. Can I paint them with the tyres on? What colour? the car is red. I'm thinking black or white
The lazy option is spending £50/wheel on a professional refurb. The cheap option is spending two hours and £20/wheel in abrasives, materials and paint.
Herein lies the problem. I always figured that my eight hours would be better spent doing something else and by doing sweet F.A. and spending £160-200, I can get a proper job done.
Herein lies the problem. I always figured that my eight hours would be better spent doing something else and by doing sweet F.A. and spending £160-200, I can get a proper job done.
It can be done, but is much easier if you keep the original colour. (or take off the tyres).
I've rubbed down alloys, painted and lacquered with careful masking without problem.
It's a measure of time & cost.
Might be easier to pick up a set of used wheels/tyes.
Or buy new ?
Or as Hustle says - a refurb ?
I've rubbed down alloys, painted and lacquered with careful masking without problem.
It's a measure of time & cost.
Might be easier to pick up a set of used wheels/tyes.
Or buy new ?
Or as Hustle says - a refurb ?
Painting wheels is a giant PITA. You strip the old paint off using Nitromors then have to rub them down then prime them evenly then paint them evenly. I GUARANTEE that after one you will think it worth getting them refurbed. I did once do a set of R5 Turbo wheels but they were relatively easy as they were mainly flat like these:
As above, surface prep is very labour intensive. A half-way house I have arrived at before was to dismount the tyres and have the wheels shot blasted- then you can get on with the fun bit. You're still looking at £30/wheel though really so only £10-20 cheaper than a proper refurb and the finish will be inferior.
selwonk said:
liking the look of this. Anyone tried it?HustleRussell said:
As above, surface prep is very labour intensive. A half-way house I have arrived at before was to dismount the tyres and have the wheels shot blasted- then you can get on with the fun bit. You're still looking at £30/wheel though really so only £10-20 cheaper than a proper refurb and the finish will be inferior.
Done this too, way more hassle than it was worth and the finish was less than spectacular. Live with them or pay to get them done.
If it's just shed money a tin of hammerite and a brush may be your best option!
noell35 said:
agreed, buying replacements is prob the long term solution. I think they look so awful though that I was hoping for a quick temporary solution, sorry should've been more clear in my first post.
The wheels aren't nice enough to spend £50 each...we're well within shed territory!
In that case minimal prep. Wash, dry and that'll do unless they are flakey. One or two cheap cans of paint and some maskin tape. Job done. The wheels aren't nice enough to spend £50 each...we're well within shed territory!
Or brush paint them with hammerite.
300bhp/ton said:
In that case minimal prep. Wash, dry and that'll do unless they are flakey. One or two cheap cans of paint and some maskin tape. Job done.
Or brush paint them with hammerite.
that's my sunday sorted, brush is probably best...i can leave them on the car. havin said that as i'm buying a convertible sports car for the first time it's bound to piss it down this weekend!Or brush paint them with hammerite.
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