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i mean, short of rattle can, something that'll actually look decent when it's done. i'm thinking primer, color, clear, but how many coats? what kind of paint?
Plan on painting my summer set of wheels black when it gets warm enough to do so. I know fk all about painting and im using rattlecans, but my plan is sand the **** out of it > 1 coat of primer > 2 coats of paint > 1 coat of clear. Again im pretty much winging it, but given that the wheels looks like crap as they are now due to oxidation, anything will be an improvement. I bought the paint a while back but iirc it is specifically for wheels, or at least autos, i forget. In any case just google that sht lol.
There's a lot of "how To" videos on YT. However, most skip steps for best results.
Lots of sanding , several primers, one being a filler primer to smooth out small indentations in paint and metal and again more sanding and smooth primer, then color(s) and clears.
By the time you're done, you'll be sorry you didn't buy new rims. LOL It's even worse if doing it with the tires still on the wheels.
KBS Diamond Gloss Clear (NOT rattle can but shot with a gun) using their thinner is a GREAT top coat(s).
Good luck and make sure you have an abundance of patience!
My son was able to paint the 18" Maxima wheels on the 99 model using the Duplicolor system -- followed directions. One thing we learned is to paint do the front wheels first. Let the heat from the front disc brakes cure the paint. Then move the front wheels/tires to the rear and repeat. The front wheels that experienced the heat from the disc, have held up well. The rear picked up gravel chips because the paint did not reach the same level of hardening as the front.
My son was able to paint the 18" Maxima wheels on the 99 model using the Duplicolor system -- followed directions. One thing we learned is to paint do the front wheels first. Let the heat from the front disc brakes cure the paint. Then move the front wheels/tires to the rear and repeat. The front wheels that experienced the heat from the disc, have held up well. The rear picked up gravel chips because the paint did not reach the same level of hardening as the front.
or, paint them when it's warmer out. my hyundai wheels look like crap and i'm probably going to buy new ones for that car. found some nice wheels on tire rack, prices aren't too bad.
JSutter, if you did a great job and they've held up to road conditions and of course tire shop abuse, hat's off to you. But pictures aside, if I was standing next to the wheels I could tell you right away which ones are hand shot or professionally reconditioned. Most people wouldn't take the necessary steps, after all, the title of the thread is "Is there a quick way..." which of course as you likely understand, there isn't.
What little I remember. They were purchased used and were painted black before I got them. I prepped them minimally, some sanding and cleaning. I doubt I used primer. The finish is Rustoleum metal spec spray paint. No clear. I think I mounted the tires myself. This was back in 2011. They don't have tens of thousands of miles which is in my favor. One wheel has a chip, other than that they held up well.
My father's 6th gen, I did everything while still on his car. I washed the wheels, removed the center caps, sanded, cleaned, put bags over the brakes, masked the tires and lugs. I used what ever silver I had on hand. Tire shops have added a few scuffs, that's expected for this kind of paint.
Now I have painted many other wheels and yes, some did come out iffy. Some wheel specific paints suck. I did G35x 17" for my Altima. That whatever paint I used really needed a clear. Also the wheels were used and had been poorly repainted previously so I was screwed from the get go.
The first set of wheels I painted got sand blasted first. The end result was good, however I'm not font of standing at a blasting cabinet that long ever again. 3rd Gen GXE 15" painted white! Woof! They looked okay in black with the covers off. More rattle can paint.
