Refinishing Rims (write up) Finished Product

[MuddyPaws 3.0]

Ok, since we are building a rig, I thought it would be a good time to re-do the rims.

This thread is going to document this process.

The rims are EA 589's. They have long ago stopped bepolished and were painted with Duplicolor Wheel Paint. Great stuff for sure. They have always looked silver on the old YJ. I painted them the darker graphite color once but didn't like it on the Yj so I painted over them. This time I think I want darker rims so I am going to try the graphite again.

There is also a lot of rock rash to fix up.

First thing is to get rid of the old paint. Put stripper on them and get it all off. This is what you get after that. I took a wire wheel and knocked a bit of the paint off too.

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/rim1.JPG

Some of the rash....

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/rim2.JPG

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/rim3.JPG

I will update as I make progress in my garage.

[MuddyPaws 3.0]

Alright...the tool of choice. The wizzy. :woot:

I use a brown disk for heavy removal, then the red for basic smoothing. Then I use the half wore out disks to do the final smoothing.

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/DSCF1279.JPG

The flap wheel and a die grinder makes quick work of getting inside the holes.

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/DSCF1280.JPG

All that's left is the final smoothing and then paint.

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/DSCF1281.JPG

Gotta do something about these centers. They are a bit rough.

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/DSCF1282.JPG

I always wondered why I never really had issues with holding a bead. Now there has been some light shed on this. Never really thought about it but look at the safety bead...it would be pretty hard to roll a tire off this rim.

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/DSCF1283.JPG

Nice that they put this warning on the INSIDE of the rim so you can see it.:wtf:

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/DSCF1285.JPG

[Toivo]

are you EVER gonna get new wheels lol

[MuddyPaws 3.0]

hahahahaha

not till I go full width, or find a good deal on bead locks. When I get done, these will look like new.

[Jeepr]

Nice work. I shot mine with automotive polyurethane. They have held up pretty well.

[MuddyPaws 3.0]

OK, little more work on these.

The centers were chrome plated plastic so I sand blasted all of that off. If you have never sand blasted plastic...then practice on some parts you don't need first. I have sand blasted tons of plastic and it acts different than any kind of metal. It will actually melt and burn. You need to have very fine sand. Wore out sand works best to give a good finish.

I still have to go back and touch this one up a little.

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/DSCF1294.JPG

Krylon has a new Fusion Hammered silver. This is what I will be shooting the centers with. Fusion is the shiznit for plastic.

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/DSCF1296.JPG

Then I wire wheeled the bead area on the rims and washed them with soap and hot water.

Here are two, drying and ready for paint. I'll be shooting them tomorrow. :woot:

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/DSCF1295.JPG

[MuddyPaws 3.0]

Ok, the finished product.

I mounted the rims on a tire machine for painting. I know, not everyone has a tire machine in their garage. :lol: But it makes it nice because you can rotate the rim to paint it.

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/DSCF1297.JPG

I shot them with 4 coats of the graphite paint, and 3 coats of clear.

http://www.duplicolor.com/gallery/gallery_images/wheel_05.jpg

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/DSCF1302.JPG

Finished up the centers.

http://www.timstrader.com/web/builds/rims/DSCF1298.JPG

Next pics, mounted and installed.

[Jeeptj1999]

Where did you get the clear? Never realized they sold it in rattle cans.

[MuddyPaws 3.0]

Hey Kev...got the clear from the same place I got the color. Advance Auto. This stuff can be bought anywhere just about though.

[Beefy]

How did you fix the rock rash?

Also why did you not powder coat them clear like you wanted me to do?

[Redleg]

I'm not gonna steal your idea... just borrow it...

[Grandman]

How did you fix the rock rash?

Also why did you not powder coat them clear like you wanted me to do?

Im wondering on the rock rash too ? :wtf:

Just filed them smooth !

[Rover]

Wow they turned out good. Ive been thinking about doing my stock alloys.Off the top of your head, do you know if they come in any darker colors?

[Roadhouse]

I just sanded and painted a set of aluminum wheels I bought of Ironman. I painted them a semi gloss black, about 3-4 coats. I mounted my 35" BFG's on them, I'll take pics of what they look like.

I don't have before pics...but here is pic of Alvins Sami same wheels

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/Roadhouse66/2007MoundsThanksgiving011.jpg

Mine after sanding and painting

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/Roadhouse66/ZJ%20Build/2008_01188-26-060003.jpg

[Jeepr]

Well those sure came out nice! Good work on the plastic too.