Anyone know the correct method to respray clear coat on original alloy wheels?

[Kernal]

I recently picked up a set of 40th Anniversay 80 series alloy wheels in surprisingly good shape for being almost 20 years old. Problem is that the previous owner (lady) took a scrubbing pad of some sort to "clean up" the wheels before she put them on the market not knowing they had a clear coat. So she ended up putting a bazzilion superficial scratches in the clear coat. They are not deep enough to feel, but enough to notice, so I would like to refresh the clear coat without messing with the painted dished areas.

My question is for any auto painters out there; could I take a 3M pad (which type?) and lightly scuff up the rest of the factory clear coat of each wheel then (find someone to) shoot some catalyzed clear coat over them? I'm not interested in rattle can paint or clear, these wheels, other than the micro-scratches in the clear coat, are in excellent condition.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

If you are taking it to a shop to have them shoot the clear they will prep the wheel (any good shop would) before they paint. I'd let them do all the work personally. But, if you're trying to save a few bucks get the 3m #7448 Ultra fine pads. They are 1000 grit IIRC.

Jason

 

[Kernal]

Jason, thanks. I'm hoping to save some money by doing the labor myself then find a one man shop to spray them for me. I probably overpaid a bit for these wheels so don't want to sink much more into them, mostly looking to protect them so they look good longer than my original alloys. Those started to corrode under the original clear coat just a few years after being exposed to Florida's salt air.

 

[PAToyota]

Any decent shop is going to want to do the prep work themselves or they won’t guarantee their work. As for rattle cans, a good compromise is Eastwood’s 2K clear. It’s expensive for a rattle can, but cheap compared to having a “pro” do the work.

Eastwood 2K AeroSpray™ High-Gloss Clear

 

[Kernal]

PAToyota: Since posting this I've talked to a couple of auto body shops so passing this on: both shops said about the same thing as a previous poster; scuff up with ~600+ grit pads so the clear coat will have something to bite onto, then shoot them with clear coat, same stuff they use when painting a vehicle. But that makes me wonder if there is something made specifically for wheels what with the brake dust and all?? Been trying to get in touch with a local mobile wheel repair guy to ask what type/brand of clear coat is best for wheels. He usually charges $125 per wheel so likely won't use him for these.

My local paint shops wanted between $60-75 per wheel to shoot the wheels, one said I could save a bit if I scuffed them up myself, but I agree, better to let him do the work so if anything is messed up it's on them.

I checked out the Eastwood product, it's a catalyzed acrylic urethane (33% solids) so should last a long time, $22 per can, but Eastwood is out of stock until the end of May.

 

[Splangy]

Why not just buff the scratches out instead of reapplying clear coat? You'll need to get rid of the scratches before going over them with clear, anyways.