Help! Painting my own rims black

[Doomsday2005]

I have seen some post in here of people painting their own rims black so I decided to try it myself. I am using Duplicolor products and I get the sanding, priming and black part just fine, the clear is another story. I can't seem to get an even shine with the clear, if i coat one area, the surrounding areas turn dull, I coat the area that turned dull and the other area turns dull. What would happen if i sanded off all the clear and just went back flat and left them. Thanks to any that respond.

[jsharp]

Paint them and then take them to a auto body shop to clear. Should be cheap and will give you shine and good protection against wear for a good while

[Doomsday2005]

Wow! Quick response appreciate it!

[Doomsday2005]

Could I run them flat black? Has anyone done it? Will it stay on?

[jsharp]

It will stay but with a can spray It will be more likely to chip and collect water spots and such Your really better off to clear them for the protection so all your hard work is not wasted!

[hunterv6]

after clear dry rubbing compound will make them shine as well. try very light coats of clear it sound as thought you are spraying to much clear on a area.

[Doomsday2005]

Thanks Jsharp! I appreciate your responses, this forum is awsome. I just bought my car in Oct and was looking to do some things to make it different. Checked into powder coating and got mixed answers on the heat issue with the break down of the rim. I also wanted to do some of the stuff myself so it would be more personal. I have been successful so far on the blackout of the tail lights and bezels, engine cover and fuse box cover and changing the bowties. But these wheels are a nightmare as I am very maticulous andcan see the smallest imperfections.

[Doomsday2005]

Thanks Hunter!

[CyberBri]

plasti dip them mofo`s or get a painter to do em mine charged me 100 bucks n i bought the amterials and there painted flat

[scythezo6]

If you can afford to powder coat the rims I would go that route. Its more durable than paint but I understand your wanting for DIY. It sounds like you are spraying the clear coat either 1) to close to the rim or 2) not spraying the rim evenly & quickly in multiply coats.

Plasti-dip is a good option here too as its reversible and easy to handle. Plasti-dip can be purchased from a hardware store.

For the clear coat: Try keeping the spray about 6-8 in away from the rim and spray on light coats in an sweeping pattern over the whole rim. Let the coat set for about 15-20in (as the clear sits it will set and flatten in an even coat). Repeat 2-3 more times with your last coat being slightly thicker (don't over do the last coat because it will start to form bubbles). Let the cleared rims sit some where clean and dry out of direct sun light at least for about 8 hours (overnight is best). Take your rims into an area with good lighting (or outside in the sun) and inspect your work. If the clear was runny you can gently sand the run spots down and hit them with a couple light coats.

[Doomsday2005]

Got them all done yestrday, here are a couple pictures.