Refinishing / Painting Wheels

[CowboyTaco]

I picked up a set of 5 FJ wheels for a pretty good deal. The dude selling them was going to try to paint them and gave up. He tried using sandpaper, which was relatively ineffective by hand.

They have some small corrosion spots where they got nicked and the paint flaked off. I've seen threads and youtube videos on restoring wheels, but I'm curious how YOU would do it.

Flap disk? Sand blaster? Sand paper? Other?



I'm not sure what I'll do with them once finished. I like this style FJ wheel much better that the ones I have. I may put them on the truck and try to sell the ones on there now. I may keep them and put some MTs on for when more fun is needed. Or I may just resell them.

 

[tex]

I painted some wheels for my old Tacoma. I used sand paper and red scoth pads. Did several coats of Dupliclor wheel paint in silver, and then 3 or 4 coats of the clear coat from the same paint line. Turned out pretty good for $30 in materials. Wheels were not perfect but they looked pretty good

 

[CowboyTaco]

would a flap disk be too much?

I think the guide I saw that had the best results used a cheap ~$20 sand blaster to remove corrosion. Trying to figure out if I can do it with what I have before spending more money....as I know I will have cost in getting the primer and paint.

 

[Silverback]

I would not use a flap disk. Hand sand it, just scuff it up. Clean very well and paint.

 

[tex]

What Sean said. I found the aluminum to be fairly soft and easy to clean with sand paper and scotch pads by hand.

 

[tx_shooter]

I would avoided powered sanding devices. The material is soft enough that a disc could really eat into it fast

 

[CowboyTaco]

I would not use a flap disk. Hand sand it, just scuff it up. Clean very well and paint.

I would avoided powered sanding devices. The material is soft enough that a disc could really eat into it fast

That was my fear. There is some corrosion that I'd like to remove. I'll try the sand paper first and see what is left.

 

[Silverback]

If its bad corrosion and I felt it needed to be hit with a power tool, I would just be really careful.