Paiting the rims.

[kellyyysayss]

I browsed about three threads, and I get the whole idea of masking and painting. Seems easy enough.

Do I have to sand down my rims? They're the original VW stock rims (2000) in case that helps.

I know I'll need an etch-primer, and paint, and clear coat/seal.

I want to do red, or black and red. What do you guys suggest?



Or should I just keep them silver?

[Wingnut_rb]

Your best bet is to sand them first with Scotch Brite green scrubbies. They are great cuz they flex around all the contours of the wheel and also are really fine. (no deep scratches to show through your paint.) Sanding gives the paint something to "grip" onto. I think red and black would look good with the scheme you've got going on...more black than red I think though. If you don't sand all the way through the paint you don't REALLY need to prime first.

[windie809]

black on the main "spoke" part and then red on the lips - does that make sense?

[kellyyysayss]

@Wingnut: So, I only have to scrub a little? No primer, just paint?

@Windie: Mhm, makes perfect sense!

[Wingnut_rb]

Originally Posted by kellyyysayss

@Wingnut: So, I only have to scrub a little? No primer, just paint?

@Windie: Mhm, makes perfect sense!

No you do not need to prime. Primer helps paint stick to metal, but since there is already a coat of paint there, paint sticks to paint just fine. But you do have to "scuff" the paint to help it grab on, hence the scotch brite. It works 2 ways if you use the scotch brite with soap and water, removes road grime and scuffs at the same time. Dawn dishsoap works best as it is made to cut through grease. You don't have to sand alot, just enough to knock down the shine. For added protection add lots of thin coats of clear.

One more thing, You can put enamel paint over laquer but you can't spray a laquer over enamel. It will wrinkle and destroy your fresh paint job and you will most likely have to start over.....so I would make sure everything you buy be enamel just to be safe and save yourself frustration! Or if the color that you want is only in a laquer, try to buy everything (paint and clear) in laquer. Hope this helps.