Matte vs gloss clear coat on painted wheels

[Bmp1]

I’ve decided to paint my wheels graphite but wondering if I should put on a gloss clear coat or matte clear coat. Any pics would be helpfully to make a decision. Thanks in advance

 

[richardlillard1]

I prefer the wheels au natruale.

 

[baldilocks]

Duplicolor Matte clear over graphite wheel paint after about a year and a half of “light use”.

 

[Box Rocket]

When I painted my SCS wheels the graphite color I used a gloss clear. I like how they turned out.
IMG_0096 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

IMG_0083 by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

[Ghostrider I]

My steelies are glossy- I didn't know I had a choice when they were installed with my KA 02s. Nevertheless, I prefer matte.

 

[Red Merle]

I used Rustoelum Graphite and I would not recommend the clear coat. The can doesn't call for it and those that have added it have reported problems and regret using the clear coat.

Mine still look great after two years in the Rust Belt.

 

[Box Rocket]

The Rustoleum Crystal Clear can cause some wrinkling in the finish. Seems random because I've had it work perfectly sometimes and wrinkle in other times. For wheels I've found the the VHT paint is one of the best IMO. I prefer their graphite and the clear coat is better.

 

[Red Merle]

The Rustoleum Crystal Clear can cause some wrinkling in the finish. Seems random because I've had it work perfectly sometimes and wrinkle in other times. For wheels I've found the the VHT paint is one of the best IMO. I prefer their graphite and the clear coat is better.

I think spray paint in general got hit pretty hard by the EPA's new VOC requirements in the last few years. I have tried a lot of off the shelf stuff from home improvement stores and some from auto body supply stores and the only off the shelf brand I trust now is the Rustoleum Professional Series semi-gloss stuff and I had good luck with the body color match cans that my supplier makes for me which are SEM brand. I used the VHT clear coat and I agree, it's pretty good. Krylon anything and many of the other cheaper brands are really runny now and I have not had good luck with them.

The Rustoleum Wheel Paint was also pretty good and it has held up well. People have reported problems with trying to clear over it though and I would just skip that if I used that brand.

 

[Box Rocket]

The best clearcoat result I've had from a spray can is a two-part clear from the Auto Paint supply store. When I resprayed the hood on my 80 I had them mix a spray can of the Moonglow 1A6 for a perfect color match and then used a two part clear that they recommended. It has a "button" on the bottom of the can that when pressed punctures a catalyst cell inside that gets mixed when you shake the can. The nozzle sprayed a very nice pattern and the quality and finish of the clear was surprisingly good. Most people have no idea I've repainted my hood, let alone done it with rattle can.

If you want a great clear finish but are still on a rattle can budget, it's worth the few extra bucks to hit your auto body store and ask them about a two-part aerosol clear.
Untitled by Adam Tolman, on Flickr

 

[baldilocks]

I used Rustoelum Graphite and I would not recommend the clear coat. The can doesn't call for it and those that have added it have reported problems and regret using the clear coat.

Mine still look great after two years in the Rust Belt.

View attachment 1883360

View attachment 1883366

As you can see in pot #3, there are no problems with clear coat, matte anyway. Prep and thin coats is key. Based on how I use my wheels, clear coating them probably was a waste of money though.

 

[Cass007]

Rustoleum flat black. Plus side is that if the ever get nicked you just rattle and spray the spot.

 

[Red Merle]

I should have said some people have reported problems

 

[Bmp1]

Anyone used duplicolor clear? I started with the spare. I used vht and duplicolor graphite paint. I couldn’t tell any difference in the color between the 2

 

[Box Rocket]

Personally I'm not a fan of the Duplicolor paints. I prefer either the VHT or even Rustoleum.

 

[Beto Cruiser]

View attachment 1883453
Rustoleum flat black. Plus side is that if the ever get nicked you just rattle and spray the spot.

This is a really trippy photo. I'm still not 100% convinced that you don't have a mirror on your driveway.

 

[Mighty690]

Go gloss, because dirt and time will turn it matte. My $0.02

 

[Railwelder93]

Crap picture, but I used gloss clear looks good I like it.

 

[Irish Reiver]

Before I settled on colour / finish I must have tried about 10 different permutations. Eventually went with matt black. Really happy with the look. Toying with the idea of having them power coated but I keep hearing stories about the heat compromising the strength of the wheel.

 

[LINUS]

Toying with the idea of having them power coated but I keep hearing stories about the heat compromising the strength of the wheel.

Source?

My Dad powdercoats a ton of parts in his truck builds (current is a ‘47 International without a body on yet), he uses a old conventional oven & those max at what - 450*?

I don’t even think he breaks into 400’s - plus, think of all the parts like chro-moly frames that get PC’ed, so the relative low heat causing any issue to our cast 16” wheels would really surprise me.

But I’m open to hear what you know/been told - I intentionally stay back from Dad / his shop unless he asks me - he’s not one who wants unsolicited opinions on much

______________________

To the OP’s question - I prefer gloss to shed road grime, matte always hold dust & grime if you’re going to try to keep them looking clean.

 

[Tools R Us]

I prefer the wheels au natruale.

View attachment 1882954

That is an abomination, likely used the wrong clear coat.