DIY wheel painting progress

3rd July 2006, 18:22

I'm going to spray my VTS wheel black and as this is abit of a hot topic I'd get a few pics up of my progress and hopefully help a few people out on the way.

1, These are what the badboys looked like to begin with, theres a few marks but nothing major:

This one is probably the worst one out of the lot:

I set about cleaning them as they were quite dirty after been sat in a scrap yard for two years, i must warn you cleaning wheels is far more dangerous than you realise:

After surving that near death experience the wheels looked mint:

I left them on the garden to dry for abit and set about sanding them with some fairly rough sandpaper, I cheated and used a orbital sander but still had to go over the wheels by hand to get the areas the sander missed:

I'm going to sand them a bit more tomorrow and add some filler where needed.

I'll continue to update the post as I go and hope to have a base coat by the end of the week.

Tuesday's to do list = More sanding and some filler action

*If any of the moderators want me to cut the pics down or lose a few? Then let me know and I'll sort it.

Cheers

Steve

3rd July 2006, 18:30

How did you cut your finger, on the wheel?

3rd July 2006, 18:33

Quote:

How did you cut your finger, on the wheel?

Yeah there was a chip in the rim and that was the damage it took me 5 minutes to clean the blood of the wheels it went everywhere.

Blood, sweat and tears (only a few)

3rd July 2006, 20:51

coming on, don't go the lazy route and try jumping grades of sandpaper, as it'll spiol all your hard work.

and how some things can be so decieving ouch b*****d thing lol

3rd July 2006, 21:44

Thats nearly as bad as what I did to my finger trying to get your wiring sorted!... lol... ripped the skin off behind the nail disconnecting some wiring and then jabbed the point of the electrical tester into my thumb!.... not to mention the manifold burns on both our arms lol!.... your car is LETHAL!

3rd July 2006, 22:39

I've been told its a death trap a few times LOL.

I'm working my way through the grades, I love sanding its the best!

3rd July 2006, 23:05

I know!... even the little bracket I made to hold the dip stick pipe when you snapped the bolt in the thread! lol... "I'll get the sandpaper on it" lol

3rd July 2006, 23:58

How are you doing it then, down to the old grey primer or back to the metal?

Iam taking mine back to the metal.

Getting the top layers off is a piece of piss, getting it down to the metal is abit harder, but hey, will stop any bubbling in the near future. hopefully.

4th July 2006, 00:20

looking good matey

forget to tell you to use etching primer

4th July 2006, 00:36

Coming along nicely, what colour you doing them?

Edit: just read what colour lol

5th July 2006, 16:42

Quote:

How are you doing it then, down to the old grey primer or back to the metal?

I dont know mate, how far are you suppose to take them back?

I've been out sanding again today, do they still need more work?????

Quote:

forget to tell you to use etching primer

Is this a halfords jobbie and what's special about it?

Cheers

Steve

5th July 2006, 17:49

anymore progress?

5th July 2006, 17:50

Quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

anymore progress?

No I need to know how far back I take them before painting, I'll add some filler to the chips tonight. Hopefully that'll go well.

5th July 2006, 21:37

I've spent yet another evening with my beloved wheels, I've filled in all the chips,scuffs etc. I whacked the filler on quite thick sanded it down with some corse paper untill it was sitting flush with the wheel then went over it again with finer paper. I'm very impressed with the results.

Here's a before and after pic of the most damaged wheel:

B4

After

There was quite a hefty chip in the wheel I wasnt sure if I'd be able to cover it but it turned out realy welll:

I managed to get the first layer of primer on aswell, I piled it on quite thick but well spend a few hours sanding it down and building the layer up gradually.

A very sucessful evening on the wheel painting front.

5th July 2006, 21:39

you painted them grey?? nice one

5th July 2006, 21:40

Nice one ste!... we'll set up business... I'll do the engines, you do the fancy stuff lol

Quote:

you painted them grey??

Its metal primer not paint lol

5th July 2006, 21:57

Quote:

Nice one ste!... we'll set up business... I'll do the engines, you do the fancy stuff lol

That's weird, I just said that to your sister but I saw my role in the company as 2nd hand parts sales as I earn good money through that avenue.

But if your offering me a job doin fancy stuff I'm more than happy.

5th July 2006, 21:58

The wheels are going to be black.

5th July 2006, 22:08

satin black or laquered?

5th July 2006, 22:10

looking good there mate, have to get my finger out and get mine done soon

5th July 2006, 22:10

laquered I think but I'm very indecisive so that could change.

5th July 2006, 22:11

Quote:

looking good there mate, have to get my finger out and get mine done soon

It's not a difficult job but time consuming, I'm hoping the paint goes on as well as the primer.

5th July 2006, 22:12

sean - leave yours silver.........

please.

5th July 2006, 23:27

Leave them in primer lol

I like yours silver too sean

6th July 2006, 14:16

looking good mate lot of hard work but will be worth it plus fun bar the bloodshed i imagine hehe

6th July 2006, 14:32

haha Matt and Dan i'm not talking about my vts wheels, i mean my old vtr rims i have in my garage, really like fatsax's car (posi blue, black vtr rims, white tyre writing), so gonna have a bash. i do fancy having a go at refurbing my vts wheels though, in standard silver obviously

6th July 2006, 15:32

looking good mate

6th July 2006, 15:34

top effort so far !

6th July 2006, 15:35

looking good wish my cyclones cleaned up that quick wouldnt it be easyer to remove the valves

6th July 2006, 15:40

I didn't think about the valves untill it was two late but I'll remove them before I apply the paint and get some new ones when I have the tyres fitted.

I've got this comma wheel cleaner stuff with all the brushes it does a really good job but it might be a bit harsh for the wheels when there painted.

I'm getting some more primer later so I'll get sanding and add another layer.

6th July 2006, 15:48

where do you get the ally primer from i couldnt find any in halfrods

6th July 2006, 15:49

They are looking great so far mate! definately worth the bloodshed! I will be keeping a keen eye on this thread as im not sure whether to spray mine or not!

Keep up the good work :Y:
Alex

6th July 2006, 15:51

I got it from Halfords mate, but there's loads on Ebay if all else fails.

You shouldn't have any problems getting it locally though.

6th July 2006, 16:01

there looking really good mate
what colour car they going to be going on???

6th July 2006, 16:04

Cheers mate there going on a Posi blue painted beast.

I just hope that painted vts wheels dont become the new Lexus lights in a year or so.

6th July 2006, 16:16

black wheels do look hard as nails...

8th July 2006, 13:48

I've been messing with the wheels again today, I used some wet & dry action on the 1st cost of primer then did the same for the second coat.

That was all very successful so I've just applied the first coat of paint:

The black shows alot more little marks so maybe I should have spent alot more time with the primer but neverless I'm happy with the progress.

I'm off to Halfords to get some more paint now to finish them off then It's onto the lacquer.

The paint,primer & paper have come to around £40 in total which is the price most companies wanted per wheel so it's well worth the time and effort.

It's suprising how good they've turned out considering I'm in my back garden with some rattle cans.

The joy of DIY!

8th July 2006, 14:09

quality :thumbup:

8th July 2006, 14:46

looking good now mate, cant wait to see what they will look like on your car!!!

8th July 2006, 14:47

like a tractor until its lowered.

8th July 2006, 20:20

nice job mate. thinking bout doing a diy job myself.

you seen your grass tho lol

8th July 2006, 20:41

lookin smart wish i could say the same for mine

8th July 2006, 21:06

Ha ha wait till Carla sees the paint all over the lawn!... and I hope simba isn't being affected by the fumes.... or is the cat you're next spray project?....lol

Quote:

like a tractor until its lowered.

Well hurry up and get the front done and I may be able to book you into fern motorsport before trax for the rear lol

8th July 2006, 22:33

I've told Carla the lawn is crop circles nothing to do with me......I'm gonna get Simba sprayed matt black and use him as a chalk board.

I'll get the front dropped asap

8th July 2006, 23:04

Looking great so far. Black on blue is the shit, (then again, so is white lol).

8th July 2006, 23:53

looking good chap.

9th July 2006, 16:34

Had a disaster today whilst applying the final coat of paint.

Started spraying as per usual a couple of mins into the action the stupid can started dripping paint so that managed to mess the finish up with nice blobs and speckles all over the wheel.

So I've had to sand them back once ance again and will have to build the final layer up again.

On a postive note one of the wheels has had a coat of Lacquer applied and it looks mint!

Hoping to get them all lacquered tomorrow then I'll continue with my spray fest by doing the rear badges & rear windows in an attempt to get rid of those horrible white marks.

All good fun!

9th July 2006, 16:40

get one of these mate : clicky

9th July 2006, 16:54

Quote:

get one of these mate : clicky

I wish i would have known about that bad boy a few days ago it would have made life alot easier.

11th July 2006, 20:36

After many hours of labour the wheels have just received their final coat of lacquer.

I'm really impressed with the finish just need to clean the tyres now and get them refitted although the wheels are not going onto the car untill after its been lowered (End of this month).

etc....

11th July 2006, 20:43

look very nice mate!

11th July 2006, 20:44

Nice job mate.
It looks like you have got a really good finish on them.

11th July 2006, 20:45

They look amazing for a few rattle cans and some filler.

Even if i do say so myself.

11th July 2006, 20:52

there lookin good mate

11th July 2006, 22:04

Ok steve.... now its time to re-paint my wheels, from dirty white to aquafresh sheen! lol.... they look awesome!...

11th July 2006, 22:18

You have done a top notch job there mate... how much would you say it cost you in total for all the paint, filler, laquer etc etc..?

Looking forward to seeing them on your car after it has been lowered :Y:

Alex

12th July 2006, 08:01

I spent around £40 on paint but you probably dont need to use as much as me, I laid on loads of layers and just kept sanding them back.

The filler was £5 and a few sheets of sandpaper.

I'd budget for £50 and you should have some change.

12th July 2006, 11:03

looking good mate. should look mint on the car

12th July 2006, 14:35

they have turned out real well matey! and you saved a packet doing them yourself !

12th July 2006, 15:43

There all the same colour now that they've dried the above picture gives the impression I've used four shades of black.

Thanks for the positive comments once again.

12th July 2006, 15:47

look real sweet. black and blue goes hand in hand...

12th July 2006, 15:49

brilliant job mate,how low are you going

12th July 2006, 15:52

I have 35mm will Eibachs I went for quality over looks but the vts engine pushed the front down so I'm hoping it drops a little lower. I'll do the back to match.

12th July 2006, 15:55

should look good,people say that you shouldnt go down any lower than 40mm because of the handling but iam down 60mm and the handling is really good.

12th July 2006, 16:02

I dont want to go to low as the roads are awfull round here there full of potholes and speedbumps so I was worried about catching my manifold.

I also wanted abit of comfort its no fun driving round avoiding every single stones or crisp packet in the road.

12th July 2006, 16:04

its not that bad

12th July 2006, 16:06

I'm gettin old I've drove round in stupid cars for years I'm looking for a little bit of luxury nowdays.

I do love the look of a slammed saxo though.

13th July 2006, 21:23

had a go at mine how many layers of each did you have to do primer,paint and lacquer

14th July 2006, 07:28

they look really smart :thumbup: i might have a crack at doing mine myself now

14th July 2006, 07:33

There looking pretty damn shiney it looks like a good job and I used 3-4 layers of each paint but went abit crazy with the lacquer as I'm paranoid about them chipping.

14th July 2006, 07:40

oh rite lol only did 2 layers of paint but used 1 can per layer! will do about 4 lacquer tho

14th July 2006, 07:44

It should be fine. My wheels were quite damaged so that may have accounted for alot more paint.

14th July 2006, 22:47

They look great matey!

17th July 2006, 19:45

Saw them in the flesh on Saturday... they've come up realy well and unless you get up realy close you wouldn't know they were a DIY rattle can job!....

17th July 2006, 19:58

Quote:

Saw them in the flesh on Saturday... they've come up realy well and unless you get up realy close you wouldn't know they were a DIY rattle can job!....

Lovin your work!

I've just got to fit them now.

18th July 2006, 00:25

I should be a mobile mechanic mate... thats around £30 you owe for replacing that burst bottom hose lol!.... I hope the lowering epic goes to plan.... if not we can get 10 bags of gravel from homebase on the orbital for £15! did mine a treat this afternoon!:

This is how you lower a car cannock chav style!.... 5 bags for the garden and 5 for the boot lol

18th July 2006, 00:54

lol loving the lowering!

18th July 2006, 07:35

Quote:

This is how you lower a car cannock chav style!.... 5 bags for the garden and 5 for the boot lol

LOL,

What I like about this method is its fully adjustable, you just throw a bag out when you want to go abit higher.

22nd July 2006, 16:47

There fitted now and look mint:

http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40926