Some help here, please?

I'm about to repaint (again) my old bundt-style alloys, and I'm wondering what simple tips you can give . I particularly want some sheen and reflective qualitieas.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Pick a silver color close to what you want and follow with a good couple coats of clear. Surface prep is most important.

__________________
95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

PJG:


The clear coat seems to actually dull the finish.

I know surface prep is critical (must be absolutely smooth).

What silver, for gloss (brand, etcf), would you recommend?

And then, what clear?

And any tips about the use of the clear? Like how long after the color is sprayed should I spray on the clear, how many coatd, and time between coats?

Wurth makes an excellent wheel paint. Base is 'Metallic Silver', 082 181 - A. Clear coat is 'Transparant', 0892 180 - A. However, I'm informed that Wurth may not be available in the US, only Canada.

__________________
1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

Don:

Thanks.

Have you reapinted the wheels on your 380SE?

Can you give me any surefire tips to make certain gloss is high, and not a dull finish?

Thanks again.,

Bob

We use the standard basecoat we use on car bodys, along with the same clearcoat. Shine should be as nice as you would want, and should hold up nicely too. If you don't do this on a regular basis, painting into the little holes on those rims can be a little tricky. A novice will either get it too dry in the holes, or run it onto the floor. Takes some practice.

__________________
95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

PLg:

OK. You know your stuff. Spoon feed me:

Idnetify EXACTLY the paint I need, brand and number and where to get it, and approximate cost?

Where can I get this?

Should I sand down the old paint, first; and if so, which grit do you recommend? Do you also recommend a primer, and which one would you use?

Thanks again.

PJG56 is right, in that application is a skill thing. Yes, I have done my wheels, but they're not the 14" originals, they're the flat 15" type, and much easier to do than the ones I think you have. IMO, Wurth has a very 'soft' spray, 10X easier to use than typical rattle can stuff. You really need to use their product to appreciate this.

I use Wash & Wipe to clean first, then apply the Wurth base. It dries in less than 1/2 hour at room temp. Spray the clear in overlapping strokes, and try for a final 'wet' coat to enhance gloss. Just don't overdo it so it runs. If it does, let it dry, then sand it smooth and touch it up.

I'm assuming you don't have a proper spray gun for this job, though, so getting the paint from the paint supply store probably isn't an option. Besides, and depending on the brand (I use Dupont), the minimum reducer quantity is a gallon, you'll need one for the base and maybe a different kind for the clear, plus hardener, plus a minimum of 1/2 pint of base (assuming you can find the right silver/aluminum color) and a liter/quart of clearcoat. Quite an expense compared to 4 spray bombs of Wurth.

__________________
1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

I would listen to Don. Our spray guns cost in the neighborhood of 5 to 6 hundred dollars each, and this is a skill that you can't quite learn on line.

__________________
95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

Some of the info here might give you some ideas...


http://www.msdra.com/alloy_refinishing.htm