Hi all,
I have for a while been contemplating painting the alloy wheels on my 1984 Audi Coupe GT in white. The alloys are currently a dullish silver finish. The alloy wheels are standard on this car (the multispoke ones)
Is it possible to paint or spray alloys at home or is professional equipment needed?
What paint or spray do you guys recommned?
Anybody done this before....any tips or advice?
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I have touched up alloys with smooth hammerite: and very successfullly.Careful preparation and no dust essential...
madf
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Flatting paper, spray paint, lacquer, elbow grease.
As said above, with all spraying related operations, preperation is the key. Make sure your existing surface is nicely flatted back to give a key for the paint to adhere to. 600-800 grit is best.
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what is flatting paper?
where would I be able to get this from?
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Flatting paper is a similar concept to wet and dry.
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Never hear of wet and dry paper :)
Where do I get it from?
is it just like sand paper?
How would I use it?
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I was thinking of using hammerite smooth aerosol spray.
What do you think will give a better finish....paint and paint brush or spray?
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I would suggest spraying from an aerosol can unless you have access to a compressor & spray gun? I would paint with a brush as a last resort as a sprayed finish would look a lot better.
Spray aerosol paint from Halfords, spray in a ventilated area and don't hold the can too close and don't spray too much. Remember, you can always put paint on, but you have to strip it down if you get a run or a thick edge.
Flat your wheel first, and "key" up the surface, spray paint and then lacquer on top when paint is dry. Sit back and admire :)
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Yes, flatting paper is a similar concept to sand paper.
Halfords should sell it.
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Yes, flatting paper is a similar concept to sand paper. Halfords should sell it.
It's emery paper. In fact I don't think sand paper has been available for several decades. What most people call sand paper is actually glass paper.
--
L\'escargot.
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Wet-or-Dry paper is a paper based, I'm sure, on Silicon Carbide and is manufactured by 3M. The grades I was able to get when I worked varied from about 280 or maybe slightly higher, to >1200 the latter being the finest.
It is best used wet, washed in a soapy or detergent-based water and in which it can be washed over and over again until it is virtually spent. This paper is not the same as Emery (Carborundum paper) as the latter cannot be used wet!
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sand paper is actually glass paper
>>
glass = reformed sand
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what lacquer are you referring to?
where is this available from?
Should i spray the wheel whilst it is upright (ie how it normally sits when on a car) or should I lay it flat on the ground?
Any techniques to spraying?
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if you dont want them to look like dustbin lids why not have them professionaly blasted and painted?
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I agree that prof painted alloys will look good, but for a tenner, you can have a go yourself first of all. If they turn out carp (which they usually will) then you can always have them done professionally afterwards.
At least you know for next time :)
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Learn something new everyday, I have always used wet/dry sandpaper for flatting, never knew there was a specific product out there.
After you price up the cost of the paper (admittedly, not much) and all the cans of paint and laquer you will need, do yourself a favour and get some quotes on having the job professionally done. A proper powdercoat job will look ten times better and last significantly longer. Alloy wheels are subjected to alot of abuse (heat, corrosive brake dust, chips, etc) and I honestly don't see rattle can paint lasting for very long.
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All available from Halfords / motor stores.
The best way to spray will depend on the wheel. Make sure you can get into all areas with the aerosol (prob best laid flat so any runs will not be as apparent.)
Spray from about 12 inches away to start with and then move closer to about 6-8 inches when you get more confident. Keep the can moving and don't spray too much in one area or you will get runs. Try a light coating all over the wheel and then go back and put another light coating on.
Very difficult to explain how to spray without showing you, but just make sure you don't put too much on. Try on an old wheel trim or something first, you should then get the hang of it a bit.
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I would definitely try the paint on something else non-porous and see what ot looks like dry, as different silver paints can look very different. Personally I think alloys look best painted silver with a good layer of laquer to give that deep finish.
I used to have an 1984 80 quattro with BBS RA cross-spoke alloys. A previous owner had sprayed the wheels with some quite dull silver paint with no laquer, and they looked a bit of a dogs dinner to be honest.
Your wheels are the multispoke Ronals aren't they, it could be a bit of a pain to sand all the individual spokes, and you would be best getting rid of any oxidation if you want the new paint to last.
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As Rich 9-3 says, if they are wire wheel / multispoke, then don't bother way tooooooooooooooo long to do them.
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I have a horrible feeling, with the questions you are asking, that they will look a mess afterwards.
If you've never done this before I think you will be disappointed with the result.
Martin
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I have for a while been contemplating painting the alloy wheels on my 1984 Audi Coupe GT in white.
Looking at your other posting (How much is my car worth....opinions? - www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=43635 ) changing the colour of the wheels could have a knock on affect to the price of the vehicle as it would no longer be standard.
That aside, white wheels on a red car would look daft, IMHO.
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Aluminium won't take ordinary paint. It needs a special primer first.
Are you taking the tyres off to do the job? If you don't it will look awful round the beading. If you do, you will chip the new paint when you put the tyres back on. Then they'll need re-balancing.
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im putting newspaper and masking tape around the tyres
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im putting newspaper and masking tape around the tyres
No comment.
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Here's a suggestion: with the wheel off smear a generous coat of washing-up liquid - or something more stable like petrolium jelly - around the bead and the tyre. Relatively simple to clean off afterwards when the paint/laquer has dried
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Do bear in mind aluminium is very difficult to paint successfully because of the durable oxide layer that forms on it - this lessens the paint's adhesion to the metal.
The suggestion above to powder coat the alloys would work out better, IMO.
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I have to agree with Dynamic Dave - white wheels on a red car would look naff.
I have sprayed lots of alloys (and steels) and they all looked excellent and lasted better than many factory coatings/paint.
Here are a few tips....
Remove wheels from car and lean against an old bucket at 45 degrees or so.
Wash and dry them all over/both sides with detergent (not waxy shampoo)
Mask the tyres perfectly - paint on a tyre looks hideous, even a dot of it.
Then wipe with cellulose thinners before painting to remove handling grease.
Use a white primer.
Paint them a very light silver (alloys are a very pale silver and often look darker than expected!)
Allow 100ml of paint and 50ml of clearcoat per wheel (I found acrylic laquer best for wheels)
Press and release the spray nozzle at the side of wheel to prevent splutter.
Don't use a can until empty as they start to splutter and ruin the finish.
Spray the nooks and crannies first and finish with the main facing areas.
Use multiple light coats.
Make your final coat thicker to bring up a gloss especially with clear coat.
If the paint runs, or a fly lands on it, or the metallic curdles, just leave it to dry, car aerosol paint has so much thinner in it, the drips will all but disappear, don't try and mop them, or pull flies out!
Spray from the bottom and work your way up when doing heavier coats this helps prevent running where the wet paint meets the unpainted area at the wet bottom edge.
Metallic flakes will even and settle as it dries.
You can fill small imperfections and scratches with normal isopon white sandable filler.
Good luck!
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Don't worry if you do get a little paint on a tyre. A little matt black paint carefully applied (two coats may be needed) then tyre polish or black shoe polish works wonders.
yes I am a bodger. Yes it works...
madf
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cherry blossom or kiwi? i think we shuld be told.......
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I misread the original post, I read "...Audi Coupe GT in white" and thought it was a white car, and assumed you would be painting the wheels silver. Didnt see your other thread till later.
I have to agree with Dynamic Dave - white wheels on a red car would look naff.
I think white wheels only look okay on a proper rally car. I think I remember seeing a few white Audi 90's with white wheels but that was in the early 90's. But on a red car you'd be best with silver wheels IMHO.
;o)
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wack some savage 500 wheel trims on it held on with boot laces
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