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Painting wheels?

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drooartz

drooartz

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I've got a set of minilite-style wheels on my MGB in the usual silver. I'd really rather have them in a darker pewter/charcoal grey color. I've got the wheels off the car right now as I'm dong some brake system work, and the idea popped into my head that now might be a good time to paint them.

I assume I'd want to get the tires unmounted, then paint them up. I know you can get at least some wheel paint from the parts store.

Other ideas? Thoughts?
 
Depending on how you are painting, leave the tires on. Just let the air out. I have seen playing cards inserted between wheel and tire as a mask.
 
Would be using rattle cans from the local parts store. Would certainly be easier if I didn't have to pull the tires off.
 
When using a rattle can, put on many, many, many, many,... light coats. Let them sit for a long time to allow for proper curing/closing of the paint surface. The harder the paint surface the less the brake dust will penetrate, low temp baking is preferred. Do not put demounted rims into your wife's oven! (unless you want to buy her a new one).
 
When using rattle cans... sit them in hot water for awhile before using. Makes all the difference.
 
I've had great luck painting wheels using a piece of 8" stove pipe which has been cut to about 6" length. Cut off the seams and carefully unbend it so as to prevent kinks so it will tuck itself between the wheel and the rubber. It masks about 1/3 of the wheel and leaves about 2/3 open to swing the spray can around. Keep moving it as you go around the wheel. A section of Alu, flashing should work just fine, just watch out for kinks. Put a short length of small bicycle inner tube over the valve stem. quick and easy.

Good Luck, Doug
 
Instead of the playing cards, use index cards, cheaper and larger...
 
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