Hey guys long time no see. Last time i was on here i was having a huge problem with trying to figure out what freakin color injector went into my maxima then, autozone ordered me the wrong part 5 times in a row ( no exhageration) anyway, max is up and running and i want to paint my 17's black to go for the all black stealth look ive always wanted, can anyone recommend what i should use for a stripper and what to use for paint maybee? thanx.. o and i need a new stillen front lip if anyone has one?

 

I wouldnt strip the paint. Its just a big mess to worry with. Just clean them well with dawn and be sure to degrease them if anything else is left. Then scuff them good with a grey scotch bright (3m brand you can get from a paint supply store)...degrease and wash them again before you paint. No need to prime either unless you have chips on them and want to smooth them out.

Any black paint should be fine but I think some brand has a wheel paint. Not sure what the difference would be.

 

I knew michael would be all over this thread..

 

there is a sticky in the 4th gen section on painting wheels......

 

also wanted to add...when i say scuff them good I mean make sure there is no shiny spots left on the wheel.

You can use sand paper (600-800 grit) as well obviously but scotch brite (again not the kitchen stuff but painters scotch bright...in grey) is easier to work with on wheels and produces less sanding dust.

Trust me I have painted two sets of wheels this way with no problems.

I think autozone and other parts stores cary degreaser by the spray paints now. Just be sure when you use a degreaser that you wipe it off before it dries because if not you will leave contaminants back on the wheel and will cause it to fish eye.

 

wheels have so much grime on them that in my oppinion you would almost be better off just stripping to metal and priming with a metal etching primer. the results will be slightly better at first but your effort will pay off in the long run when you accidently knick a curb and the origional color doesn't all the sudden show through. expecially with large 17 inch rims....

 

Well like I said I have experience painting wheels with one set being really caked with ball joint grease and I havent had any problems on a vehicle I drive about 40K a year (have about 60K on the paint job).

Stripping is never a bad thing though I just think its not necessary and if you dont have access to a sand blaster its a huge mess using chemical stripper.