ImPoRtHoNdA

sorry for the OLD thread...

is there something im doing wrong? after applying 2 coats of clear, it still comes out not as glossy as i want it to be. (im just looking for oem look). I only started this project so that i could fill in the curb rashes on the stock wheels. Im using the paint with the clear cap from dupli color as my clear coat

Majofo

I'm assuming you sanded down the whole wheel and not just the affected area. Did you use white primer? You'll want to apply several coats of base, get it smooth then apply several coats of clear to get the gloss.. you'll probably need to buff it down to get the right finish.

ImPoRtHoNdA

yeah i sanded everything down before i painted. However, i did not sand it before i applied the clear coat. is that something i should do?

Majofo

wet sand with 1000 grit maybe.. not necessary though.

rcknrollin

WDP with flat black stock 17" wheels. Awesome tutorial thanks man!!

meburdick

There are a variety of different "How To's" out there that have a similarity to this one, and they're all very helpful and informative. This thread definitely bubbles up to the top in terms of having so many different people chiming in to say "I did it too, and it looks great."

What I'm hoping to find out there is a paint that will color match to my stock rims so that I can do nothing more than curb rash repair. Does anyone have a source for the different factory colors from DupliColor or some other manufacturer?

For reference, in this case, I have a 2008 TL with stock 17s (the double 5-spoke wheels), and I'm going to be buying a second set of wheels so that I have one set as winter and one as summer (I want snows for the winter months). The second set of wheels will also be stock, but I don't yet know if they will be from the 2004-2006 range (solid 5-spoke), 2007-2008 range (double 5-spoke), or possibly even A-SPEC wheels. No matter what I end up with, I will definitely be interested in knowing how to color-match the wheels for straight-up repair purposes... Especially if I find a great deal on a set of used wheels that will need repair before I even install them.

Thanks in advance, and nice write-up.

ar1b3nz

Looks good and a nice little write up!!

al.c

Thanks for everyones input and follow up pics!! I'm going to have to do this soon to my rims but i think I'll wait until summer when it's warmer

m7r7m

^ lol nice thread revival guys...mrfubar if you are still following this thread, it looks like you live in Minnesota. That housing development looks nearly identical to where I grew up.

But on a thread note, love the wheels and great write up! Thank you!

sodaks2k

iTrader: (4)

Subscribed as I will eventually be "refinishing" my beat up stock wheels.

timdub-tl

Has anyone done a repaint on the chrome aspecs? I know some will see this as sac-religious but they were on the car when I purchased it - 1) I am not a chrome fan, 2) the person before me curbed all 4 of them, and 3) the chrome plating is peeling off in several places near the curb rash. I am not sure if I want to paint them or just look to unload them for $500? Suggestions

meburdick

Warning: I am not speaking from experience... I am merely theorizing...

I would imagine that painting chrome wheels (the right way) would not be a trivial undertaking. In order to chrome plate the wheels in the first place, they have to go through a variety of chemical baths and such and then have the chrome electroplated to the wheel.

In order to be able to successfully paint the wheels, you would need to basically "reverse" the entire plating process to get to the actual metal of the wheel so that you could THEN prepare the wheel for paint and apply your color / clear.

You may want to call around to find a shop that does chrome plating and ask them what would be necessary to remove the chrome and then paint. Or, you might have luck talking with someone at a body shop about it. Either way, let us know if you happen to find out anything specific.

timdub-tl

Thanks for the advice on the chrome meburdick. I was thinking it would be the same- a pain to paint over chrome. They really are not that bad just irritating because none of the scratches were from me. I do appreciate the reply.

amazo

Very clean. I was wondering how they would look like in gun-metal.

GeeteeDan

iTrader: (4)

Old write up but I'm doing this Monday and tuesday

AnthonyTL-S

ok so i need opinions!!! i have a 2007 CBP type s. i got her ( Naughty Allie ) about a month ago. the rims where redone by dealer and are NOT the gun metal like stock type s rims. the cool is like a light chrome (gay). so i want to paint them Gloss Black. can someone help me on the paint cause idk where to buy this color. thanks guys. any info will be pro

al.c

Timdub- I had a set of chrome A-Spec and I was fortunate to have a friend that had a sand blast room so I took' Em in and blasted them til there was no more shinny stuff left. It's more like a paint. Than real chrome. Anyways. Make sure to get rid of any shinny surface or the paint will peel off. = wasted time and money and more time to redo. Good luck. I painted mine a really dark grey.

sodaks2k

iTrader: (4)

Finally did mine this weekend

Tay119

iTrader: (2)

NBP on black stocks is a great look for the 3G

geekybiker

Anyone try the bronze yet?

tc5280

I just did mine too and they came out great. I think anyone doing this should have the tires dismounted first though...

tc5280

btw no scratches or scuffs when having the tires mounted either. I waited a week with the wheels sitting in my house so they could "cure" before mounting.

brookspw

Don't let her drive the car.

al.c

Check out YouTube. There's lots of info there on repairing and painting rims. Good luck

I did mine already too. http://s1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee506/Alsipad/

Tru3VoL

Awesome job all for diy! I have an 07 tl type S and the back wheels both have a little rash. I bought some factory touch up paint but have yet to take the time to try that route. I think I will and if it doesn't turn out I'll try your method. Once again props for the job well done I like the darker look on the silver as well.

geekybiker

My attempt at visualizing the duplicolor bronze.

GrwnUpRcer

someone needs to photochop me some graphite duplicolor base wheels on an Anthracite car. been really considering this.

jimstl

good write up

Pickett91

Great thread, i am just about to repaint mine too. Thanks

xX(Tee-L)Xx

Looks nice, some of my buddies did this on there rsx rims!

whipping

Siiiiickkk! Definitely painting mine black asap.

whipping

Say the forum yesterday, did it today. Took awhile and it was extremely hot but got it done and im satisfied.

whudini3000

iTrader: (1)

Worked on this mod this morning (Gunmetal Metallic) Sand>Wipe> Prime>Sand>Wipe>4 coats of Color and 3 Clear. I cant get a f'n high gloss for the life of me a and the surface is a bit rough. Wheels look great, but I prefer a high oem gloss. Any tips? Weather was 87F painted @ noon.

whudini3000

iTrader: (1)

^ Heads up if you paint with metallics ,you will have to wet sand after the clear coat cures to smooth out the finish. The flakes do not fully settle/adhere to the surface and a extra coat of color and clear may be necessary.

MattCroissant

Old thread revived! I'm going to be doing this to my 2G Stock 17"s in a couple days. So stoked gentlemen.