My factory steelies are starting to fade and show some rust. I am thinking about painting them because I love the look of them. Is there a paint that is better than the rest or could I just use some spray can Rustoleum? Also, any tips from others that have done this?
No need for anything fancy. I've used Duplicolor "wheel" paint, Rustoleum and "tractor" paint. No real difference that I can tell.
I painted my alloys with the Duplicolor, the came out fine and touch up has been super easy. Then, I painted some wagon wheels for my FJ40 and used Rustoleum in white. Finally, I used the tractor paint on some beadlock wheels I built up.
Again, no real difference other than cost.
Just remember, prep is everything if you want them to look good and last. I scuffed everything with a "greenie", wiped with "paint prep" wipes and made sure to do a light coat, allow it to "tack" then apply heavier coat. I also sand blasted the beadlock wheels and this gives the paint something to bond with. But, doing that means you have to have all the tires removed from the wheels.
I used 3x5 index cards, stuffed into the bead and taped newspaper to them to mask off the tires in the event you didn't want to dismount them.
Good luck and its an easy job, plan a half day for sure...
search the 100 series for this. Some guys have done some very good jobs painting wheels, and there are good step by step directions on stripping, sanding and painting. Most are on alloys, but it should help for an at home near factory looking finish.
