ruizs

Hello all -

I really want some darker wheels, but I don't want to get heavier Tech1's. Has anybody powdercoated their stock wheels, and/or have pics?
I'm thinking of going gunmetal gray or black - how do you think it would look with the stockers? Also, If I did so, what should I do with the plastic middle cap?

shazaam

I'm going to do this too. I was just waiting for a nice write up or something

justinh

go to autozone or advanced auto parts, buy the new wheel paint, comes in a spray can, you can get white, gunmetal/charcoal, and a clearcost. paint whichever color you want. at $4.88 a can it sure beats powdercoating. There is a guy at ttora that did this to some mickey thompson classic II or the american racing equivalent and it is nice! i will probably do this to my wheels when i move back home after school is out.

shazaam

what about the lug nuts?

ruizs

Nah, when I do it I'm going with the powdercoating. I'd rather have the durability & looks of a ceramic-like powdercoat than badly-applied and easily scratched spraypaint.

While we're on the topic, anybody know any good, reasonably priced powdercoater in the SoCal area?

ruizs

In one of the posts about the tech1 rockcrawlers they talk about where to get the black lugnuts, so no prob... Or, I could probably just throw mine in w/ the powdercoating, shouldn't cost any/much extra.

fourunnabilly

FYI-

I am having a set of 22x9.5 Helo Hawks black powder coated as we speak. They are getting 2 coats of black, and 2 coats of clear. Should be done and on the runner by friday with the new 35's.

Billy

Biff

Billy, make sure to post pics of those bad boys. Never seen 22's on a monster like yours.

oldguy

I'm not sure how reasonable but give "Primo Powder Coating" a call 714-596-4242. They are in Huntington Beach and did a good job an a project that I was doing. If that's too far from you, try the yellow pages.

Jonathan

I'll trade you my 16" factory 6 spokes for your 5 spokes and then you can paint those

rimpainter.com

Powder coat, shmowder coat.

Click me!

shazaam

yeah but wheres the write up

calg3

Just to let everyone know, I was looking at Wheelers Off Road website the other day and they now have 16x8 powder coat black alloy wheels for sale:

http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/toyblackalloys.htm

Another option to consider!

rimpainter.com

I am testing the durability before I run my mouth too much. The test period is almost over. The only part of the wheels that have suffered are the stock lugs. The paint comes off of those pretty easily. Brian recommended some etching primer. I just might try that.

Everything else is all good!

shazaam

so give the details I'm seriously considering doing this in the next day or two.

I just wish I had a nice paint sprayer instead of a rattle can.

Edit: I'll do the lugs too after I get the tires rotated

fourunnabilly

Biff my friend-

You'll be one of the first to see em...guaranteed.

Billy

rimpainter.com

You're not gonna like this, but the best way to do this right is with the tires off the wheels. I did it with them on, and it is really hard to hit the outer lip of the rim without nailing the tire - even after masking. Just a warning.

Anyway, the key is to prep properly.

Wipe the entire wheel with acetone initially. Mask off the tire. Sand liberally with 300+ grit. Be sure to hit all the sharp edges. Hit with acetone again. Heat the wheel up with a hairdryer (or leave out in the sun). Prime the entire wheel with VHT primer. Let it dry. Warm up the wheel. Spray with VHT polyurethane satin black paint. Allow ample dry time. Hit again with black if you see any missed spots. Finish with a clear enamel (high quality, non glossy).

Repeat above for the centercap.

That's basically it. After you spray the black, you are not going to want to spray the clear enamel because the finish is amazing right after the black. The clear coat adds a little bit of roughness to the overall texture which I did not like. But, clearcoat is necessary if you ever plan on washing your rig or driving in the rain.

I am going to start that write up.

shazaam

Thanks christian!

I can take the tires off, and put it on jack stands. What is VHT stand for? Where can I get it? Did you just rattle can it or did you use a sprayer?

rimpainter.com

No problem!

Very High Temperature - I think. You should be able to score VHT at Autozone or places like that. So you can take the tires off? Not just the wheels and tires off the rig - the tires off the wheels.

shazaam

oh .. never mind, I thought you just meant taking the wheels off the truck to make it easier.

Actually there is a used tire place that charges $2 to mount tires. He might do it for me, and then take it into get balanced.