how to refinish pony rims?

www.50resto.com Do a search for wheel paint The factory color ir ford silver argent they sell it

I used the paint from 5.0 resto. I got this stuff called aircraft stripper from autozone and it took the factory paint right off of the wheels, but watch the tire if you are doing it with tires still mounted on the rim. After i just got some automotive snad paper and sanded it until it was nice and smooth with no noticable nicks and what not. I primed and than painted them and they looks brand spankin new now

I bought 2 cans of primer, argent wheel paint, and than clear coat. I used about a can and a half of each

don't remove the factory paint all the way because the rim isn't smooth around the outside...it's rigged around...I can't explain.

anyway, just get some 2000 grit and wetsand the entire wheel to get off any contamination and whatnot.

then, spray it with the argent silver wheel paint (I got mine from Eastwood), then again use a 3000 or so grit before the clear. I did like 3 light coats of silver.

I didn't sand before the clear, and it peeled off, so I had to redo it. The next time, after I sanded it, the clear stuck fine. I guess I should've followed the directions in the first place.

i just finished all of my wheels and can take pictures today to let you see how they came out. These are the steps I took to repaint my wheels.

1) Wet sand the wheels with 600 grit sandpaper ONLY enough to make it all smooth (No need to take it down to the aluminum unless its necessary to make it smooth, might cause more adhesion problems)

2) Wash wheel and dry. Rub down with laquer thinner to ensure no grease/oil contamination

3) Cut newspaper with a hole the size of the wheel to keep the tires from getting overspray. Place on the tire.

4) Use a deck of playing cards and stick them in the opening between the wheel and tire, all the way around the tire.

5) 2 coats of primer, let sit for 15 min in between each coat

6) 3 coats of paint (I used Duplicolor wheel paint, had a lot of metallic in it and looks VERY close to factory). Still 15 min drying between coats

7) 3 coats of clear (I used Krylon Gloss)

For the center caps, use the 600 grit sandpaper and rough up the surface getting near the corners of the pony. Take piece of masking tape and cover the pony emblem with it fully. Use a small screwdriver or knife to poke around all the edges to seperate the tape on the pony from the tape on the center cap. Pull off the tape leaving the pony emblem covered with tape. Laquer thinner the surface and paint exactly the same was as you do the wheels.

I must say it was VERY easy to do and looks absolutly awesome!! Takes a little time and prep but is WELL worth it in my opinion. I'll get some pictures up later tonight.

wht93gtEd said:

don't remove the factory paint all the way because the rim isn't smooth around the outside...it's rigged around...I can't explain.

anyway, just get some 2000 grit and wetsand the entire wheel to get off any contamination and whatnot.

then, spray it with the argent silver wheel paint (I got mine from Eastwood), then again use a 3000 or so grit before the clear. I did like 3 light coats of silver.

I didn't sand before the clear, and it peeled off, so I had to redo it. The next time, after I sanded it, the clear stuck fine. I guess I should've followed the directions in the first place.

Click to expand...

2000 and 3000 grit sandpaper!?!? Why spend money on sandpaper when you could have used notebook paper . I don't see any reason to use more than 600 grit cause it takes long enough as it is to get all the imperfections out with 600 grit. Not to mention all that paint and primer WILL fill in 600 grit marks in your wheel (btw you can't feel 600 grit marks with your hand, it's smooth as a babies butt)

As long as you do 15 min intervals between coats and different paints, you shouldn't have a problem with adhesion. I left my paint for 4 hours before applying clear and it still stuck great.

/\/\/\/\/\

That looks really nice man! A friend of mine just did his the same way with the same paint and it came out really clean. They look like brand new rims!

Marlboro_Man said:

/\/\/\/\/\

That looks really nice man! A friend of mine just did his the same way with the same paint and it came out really clean. They look like brand new rims!

Click to expand...

Thanks. I was overwhelmed on how they came out and glad I only spent $30 in supplies to achieve these results. Beats getting new rims!! If it ever starts becoming crappy, I can completely redo a wheel in a 2 hour period from start to finish.

great job! i'm going to attempt mine now