(i got this from General Kratos on MNSC)
Tired of your plain rims? Or just dying for a new look? Paint them up and you'll see its a world of difference.
THINGS YOU WILL NEED:
Air Craft Stripper- $9 @ PepBoys
1 2" brush .69cents @ fleet farms
Small can or container for the paint stripper
1 pair of rubber glove(thicker the better)
1 plastic scrubber(if you want)
Primer $4- i used Duplicolor only "Ground Coat" @AutoZone
Duplicolor"Graphite" Paint $6 @ AutoZone
Duplicolor "Clear" coat $5 @ Autozone (only if you want to)
Painters tape 2" $5 @home depot(if your cheap you can use basically any other tape that sticks as well)
*Warning* this Aircraft stripper is hard stuff, do not get it on your skin or you will feel a pretty good burning sensation for a while. please use proper PPE and slow your strokes down. Step 1:
Apply a GENEROUS amount of aircraft stirpper onto the rim in area's you want to clean or strip of unwanted crap. THIS STUFF IS HARDCORE and it will strip powdercoating too, trust me, i did all 4 17" rims before. You let it sit for 10-20 minutes before you take a plastic scraper or anything you want to clean it off. If its paint your stripping, most of the time it can be just sprayed off! After 20 minutes or so it should look like this:
After you attempt to clean off the unwanted stuff, you will notice there are still some areas that need to be stripped off. Repeat step 1.
Now that your rims are completely bare or clean, make sure your rims are fully clean and dry before this process, if your anal about it, scrub the sucker down with scotch bright pads and sand paper if you want. Just make sure to rinse them with water and dry it before you begin.
If you are not stripping paint or powdercoat and just cleaning it. I recommend using scotch bright pads to clean the rim first, then start step 2.
Step 2:
Lightly wet your rim on the very edge of the lip, face it down on a big sheet of paper or cardboard. Now that you have your wet outline print on the paper/cardboard, you can cut out that circle, cut it 1/4" bigger.(you'll see why). Now,Tape where the tires meet the rims as far into the rim as possible, incase of any leaks from the paper cover. Now lay the cover over the rim/tire. Tape that down as well. The 1/4" bigger that you just cut out now will allow you to tap the cover to the existing tape ON the tires. DONT FORGET TO TAPE THE VALVE STEM!
Step 3:
Once you have everything tape down, you can now apply your first layer of Primer and continue to apply according to directions. I usally give it 3-4 coats of primer. After the primer stage is done, it should look somewhat like this:
Step 4:
Wait till the primer is completely dry(depending on weather), then apply your paint. Repeat until the number of coat is satisfied. I believe the rule of thumb is to wait 10minutes. DO NOT RUSH. IF ANYTHING, wait till at least the paint is "Tacky" before you apply the next layer. The last thing you want now is for the paint to run! Once your done painting, you let it sit till the paint is dry. You then take the paper/cardboard cover off. Take the first layer of tape that was in step 1 off the tires as well. The results should look somewhat like this:
The center cap, your just gonna have to use your imagination. If you must know pm me.
Step 5: (if you want only)
When the paint is completely dry, it should be nice and glossy regardless what color you go with. If you should want it more glossy or better protection from the enviroment, apply the clear coat till your statisfied with its shine/protection. I say 3 layer should do the trick.
Well, its all done now! Your car just got a new look now! What are you waiting for? Put them on!
HERE ARE SOME BEFORE AND AFTER PICS OF MY PAST EXPERIENCES:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
BEFORE:
AFTER:
