Flaking paint on alloy wheels

[DIYspanner]

We bought a Nissan Primera 1.8 SX yesterday.

The paint is badly flaked on two of the wheels.

I was thinking of a hard wire wheel brush in the drill to remove the flakes, then use wet n dry to smooth down the existing paint edges, then spray some alloy wheel paint on.

Is that a suitable course of action?

 

[Burnerman]

It won't last too long I'm afraid - the best way is to take it to a wheel refurbisher or body shop (tyre off).
Your method will be ok for a temporary fix of course but once the lacquer has chipped, the corrosion sets in.
John

 

[DIYspanner]

What methods the refurbishers use ?

 

[JohnD]

If you mean the paint is coming off in flakes, rather than having been scraped off on the curb, I suspect it is an amateur repaint that is coming off. I've had that. Particularly bad on the inner part of the barrel where they had not bothered cleaning off corrosion and dirt thoroughly.

I've found a wheel specialist that removes the tyres, blasts and recoats the wheels, gives a better and more durable finish than a bodyshop repaint. Any dings or buckles can be corrected at the same time.

 

[Tigercubrider]

There are also guys who operate from vans who refurb the wheels while at your place

The better idea is to do as suggested above and find a place who blast and powdercoat the rims

 

[DIYspanner]

This is state the wheels are in -

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

There are also guys who operate from vans who refurb the wheels while at your place

The better idea is to do as suggested above and find a place who blast and powdercoat the rims

This, the vans will do it there and then, when you take it somewhere they seem to prefer to keep it overnight! In my mind a bloke working out of a van whipping your wheels off in the street in the ****ing rain and stripping/coating/baking in the back of a van won't provide as good a job as a body shop, cost will be little if any different, I had two on the front done recently, went to place with a courtesy car, many places will also give you a lifetime warranty.

 

[DIYspanner]

So wire wheel brushing with the drill, wet n dry and painting is not an option.

I found this stuff. Its anti-chip apparently!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-TECH-Ca...387876?hash=item5d35bab864:g:wigAAOxyBotTYMkU

 

[JohnD]

I find wire-brushing tends to polish the corrosion, rather than remove it.

Perhaps I'm doing it wrong.

 

[Tigercubrider]

Maybe also just price up a set of used rims in good condition, swap tyres and sell on your old ones?

 

[DaveHerns]

Your wheels look like they've been painted before so you might get a paint reaction unless you strip them completely.

 

[Belle427]

I had a set done a while ago, charged £60 a wheel but this was a professional tyre off refurbishment. If you have the patience then go for it, all the work is in the prepping but there are some good spray paints around these days.
I know people that have had good results with plasti dip.

 

[DaveHerns]

It's a 10 year old Nissan! Anything will be an improvement ! It's all to do with how much time and effort you put into the preparation. Wait till the weather improves before any open-air spraying.

 

[DIYspanner]

If I attempted any spraying with an aerosol, it would in the garage.

Can't do any harm to pick the worst wheel and see how it fairs. The wheels look a mess now so nowt spoiling.

thanks Gents

 

[DaveHerns]

What about using silver Smoothrite in aerosol form ? Just an idea.