CruiseOrlando
Conveniently Enhanced
So I needed to rotate my tires... but I wanted to use the 5-tire rotation method. Problem was that the spare looked like crap - pitted and such from being turned face-down too many years, and with the PO not doing a 5-tire rotation, it pretty much spent its life there I believe.
I've been reading a lot of threads about folks painting their rims, and I really liked the ones that chose the Duplicolor Gunmetal Grey wheel paint. But I knew this was going to be a lot of work cleaning up this rim (and some of the others had some better days as well.
Here's what the spare looked like:
Step 1 (after cleaning) was sanding and grinding off all the pitted parts. I used 320 grit on all the rims to prep them as well and make sure the surfaces would take.
After grinding and sanding the spare, it still looked pretty bad, but a at least most of the surfaces were at least smooth at this point:
Step 2 was to prep for the primer. I stole an idea from a friend and used file-folders cut in half lengthwise. I found this gave a little more overspray protection and was less work than using 3x5 cards as I've seen others do:
Step 3 was using primer on them. I sprayed two light coats, not even looking for 100% coverage - just wanted to get them started. This helps reduce runs and the like. As directed, wait about 10 minutes between coats, then go back with a medium coat and get all the parts you might have missed before.
Oh nos! We all wear the cone of shame!
Step 4 was to sand down any rough spots with 600 grit, then re-spray lightly if needed with the primer. Then wash with soap and water, dry off again.
Step 5 was to spray the color on. As I said, I used the Duplicolor Gunmetal Grey. I really like the results. After all the hard work, even the abused spare looked pretty good:
I also sprayed with a light coat of the clear afterwards, but then ran out of time (you need to finish within an hour, so now I have to wait 7 days for the paint to cure before I can hit them again).
I also sprayed the hubs, although I realize they're going to get scratched up from putting the wheels on and off... I just like the matching look. I also removed all the remaining hubcaps, as with this color I like the look with them off vs. on:
I've been reading a lot of threads about folks painting their rims, and I really liked the ones that chose the Duplicolor Gunmetal Grey wheel paint. But I knew this was going to be a lot of work cleaning up this rim (and some of the others had some better days as well.
Here's what the spare looked like:
Step 1 (after cleaning) was sanding and grinding off all the pitted parts. I used 320 grit on all the rims to prep them as well and make sure the surfaces would take.
After grinding and sanding the spare, it still looked pretty bad, but a at least most of the surfaces were at least smooth at this point:
Step 2 was to prep for the primer. I stole an idea from a friend and used file-folders cut in half lengthwise. I found this gave a little more overspray protection and was less work than using 3x5 cards as I've seen others do:
Step 3 was using primer on them. I sprayed two light coats, not even looking for 100% coverage - just wanted to get them started. This helps reduce runs and the like. As directed, wait about 10 minutes between coats, then go back with a medium coat and get all the parts you might have missed before.
Oh nos! We all wear the cone of shame!
Step 4 was to sand down any rough spots with 600 grit, then re-spray lightly if needed with the primer. Then wash with soap and water, dry off again.
Step 5 was to spray the color on. As I said, I used the Duplicolor Gunmetal Grey. I really like the results. After all the hard work, even the abused spare looked pretty good:
I also sprayed with a light coat of the clear afterwards, but then ran out of time (you need to finish within an hour, so now I have to wait 7 days for the paint to cure before I can hit them again).
I also sprayed the hubs, although I realize they're going to get scratched up from putting the wheels on and off... I just like the matching look. I also removed all the remaining hubcaps, as with this color I like the look with them off vs. on:
