I plan on painting the wheels on my blazer black. obviously there is a cleaning process so that the paint doesn't peel off. But beyond that is there anything you guys would recommend for painting wheels. my buddy insists that you have to take the tires off to paint them but I'm lazy and would like to avoid that if possible haha. any suggestions would be helpful I've never painted anything before.

 

You may consider plasti dip. Works pretty well and can be peeled off later if you don't like it or if it needs to be touched up.

 

You dont have to take the tires off, but its easier.

Their is whats known as the "buisness card prep" where you stick business cards between the tire and wheel to prevent over spray. A few of my friends have done this with good results. Taping off the whole tire is safer if your not sure about your skills.

Now, wash the wheels and use a really good degreaser and stiff brush to get all the gunk and brake dust off. You want them clean as possible for the paint to stick the best.

Since you have never painted before, lets stop talking about paint, and talk about plasti-dip. Its a rubberized coating available in numerous colors in aerosol cans, or custom colors can be mixed in gallon tins. I would use plastidip instead because should you ever change your mind you can just peel it off. No sanding off the old paint or painting over multiple layers of paint.

With plastidip you have to go slow and apply several thin coats. 5 coats is the magic number for the best ability to peel off. You need to do this in a well ventilated area because any contaminants will show through to the final product (just like paint really). And spraying it on too thick will cause it to be goopy and look bad. Thin, even coats!

I plan on plastidipping at least the front end of my truck to protect it from rocks and stuff during the winter. If properly applied its pretty durable. Id probably do 6-8 coats for added durability myself.

 

If you decide to to paint your rims take them off the truck clean them very well then scuff em really good with Scotchbrite, blow off all the dust then wipe em down really good with acetone or some wax & grease remover like M-600... good get yourself some 2" wide painters tape ( I like the green stuff by 3M) tear off pieces about 6 inches long... tuck in the edges really well near the rim with a bondo spreader all the way around then tape over all the holes on the backside of the rim... take your time prepping each wheel now you're ready to paint! put on about 3 or 4 thin coats give each coat about 20 minutes in between coats... then throw on a few coats of clear to lock in that shine! try the Rustoleum "Hardhat" gloss it comes in many colors that is the BEST spray paint out there in my opinion...Good luck post pics when your done>>>

 

i am not doing plasti dip. if i paint them its going to be flat black. thanks for all the help though guys. shouldnt be too hard.

 

Before I used Rustoleum flat black. First I wetsand and clean the surface, apply primer then paint.

 

Bro really the best option would be to clean them scotch bright scuff them let em dry then spray really thin coats stand about 2 feet away and don't be dissapointed when the first coat doesnt really cover it

 

Here's a pic of my tire I did recently