Darranh Posted January 2, 2020 Report Share Posted January 2, 2020 I'm just about to refurbish the steel wheels on my 63 TR4. Do I powder coat or spray? Currently sprayed silver with lots of chips, rust and paint runs so not looking good. Can tyre fitters fit without damaging paint / powdered coating? On a seperate note I've just spent the past few days installing mass loaded vinyl (sound deadener) to the floor area, water proof foam carpet underlay, finished off with new loop pile carpet. It's made a massive difference as took the car out for a New Year spin on some of New Zealand's chip seal roads. My day job is an acoustic consultant, so I've got a trained ear and would recommend it to anyone. Plus I've just fitted a high torque starter while the interior was out - another recommendation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 2, 2020 Report Share Posted January 2, 2020 (edited) Hi Darran, whichever coating you use make sure you do not paint the area under the attachment nuts. Just a thin flash of Aluminium spray or similar The paint can cause the torque on the nuts to slacken. Roger PS - that also includes the face of the wheel against the hub. Edited January 2, 2020 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keith1948 Posted January 2, 2020 Report Share Posted January 2, 2020 Hello Darran I would also like to have views on this as I have a set of wheels ready for painting. First step is to remove old paint and neutralise any rust. With powder coating then if you scratch the wheel then it has to be sent for powder coating again I believe. With paint you can touch it up if scratched. Haven't made my mind up yet which route to take. As for tyre fitters not damaging the finished surface - it depends on how careful they are. Biggest problem seems to be attaching or removing balance weights around the rims. Looking forward to views of others Keith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted January 2, 2020 Report Share Posted January 2, 2020 I advice paint, if necessary it is easier to remove. I let nothing powder coat anymore since I sadly had the learn that. Ciao, Marco Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted January 2, 2020 Report Share Posted January 2, 2020 Hi Darran ~ I'd have the wheels sand blasted (or whatever you call it) and then sprayed Silver. Much easier to refurbish yourself afterwards. Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted January 2, 2020 Report Share Posted January 2, 2020 +1 above, even moving a balance weight will damage powder coating, plus you can make four wheels look like new for two rattle cans of wheel silver. John. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darranh Posted January 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2020 Thank for the feedback. I was keen on the powder coat for hardness but will now get them spray painted. Much easier for future touch ups and yes to the balancing weights - I've got a few ghost marks on the existing wheels where weights have been before. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted January 2, 2020 Report Share Posted January 2, 2020 You can put the weights on the inside if there is room Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Moltu Posted January 4, 2020 Report Share Posted January 4, 2020 Powder coat silver with lacquer. lasts a lot longer than paint on wheels. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don H. Posted January 6, 2020 Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 (edited) I have yet to see a powder coat that matches (or comes close) to the warm silver metallic paint of the orignals. For a solid color there are probably decent options. Paint for me, not powder coat, for all the reasons noted earlier in the thread, plus the appropriate color match to original. Here's my spare wheel, a 48-spoke 4-inch wire to fit better in the wheel well on my TR3B, rattle-can sprayed and clear coated. Shown next to the reproduction MWS wheels on the car. I don't have any images of the wheel prior to sandblasting, but the finish was rusted pretty good. It looks near new now with paint + clearcoat. The paint I used, Eastwood Detail Sliver, is a great match for the original wheel silver and sadly seems to be discontinued as a product. Edited January 6, 2020 by Don H. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keith1948 Posted January 6, 2020 Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 What about the area inside the wheel (inside the tyre). Red primer? or silver top coat? Keith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted January 6, 2020 Report Share Posted January 6, 2020 +1 for painted wire wheels on TRs, my favorite Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darranh Posted January 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2020 I think the most cost effective approach is for me to paint the wheels with rattle cans - as mentioned I can then touch up as necessary. For originality - would it still be appropriate to lacquer the wheels too as I wasn't looking for a high gloss appearance. Can anyone post a photo showing a steel (disc) wheel with a glossy finish.. Mine are very shabby and anything will be a big improvement. Thanks Darran Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hawk Posted January 7, 2020 Report Share Posted January 7, 2020 Not sure if this is what you are looking for but this is mine ..... wheels painted silver with a couple of coats of clear. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gary Flinn Posted January 8, 2020 Report Share Posted January 8, 2020 (edited) Had the Rims on My 5 Blasted, Etch Primed and then Stove enameled in black. It didn't costs a fortune (Around £40 a Wheel) and the specialist will be able to get a much better and longer lasting finish Regards Gary Edited January 8, 2020 by Gary Flinn Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keith1948 Posted January 8, 2020 Report Share Posted January 8, 2020 Has anyone any experience of using a two pack resin primer on wheels? Keith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dellow Posted August 26, 2023 Report Share Posted August 26, 2023 On 1/8/2020 at 1:29 PM, Gary Flinn said: Had the Rims on My 5 Blasted, Etch Primed and then Stove enameled in black. It didn't costs a fortune (Around £40 a Wheel) and the specialist will be able to get a much better and longer lasting finish Regards Gary Hi where did you get your wheel done? Near Ripley? Regards Richard Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveB66 Posted August 26, 2023 Report Share Posted August 26, 2023 Richard I hd my TR6 wheels blasted, primed and enameled silver several years ago and they still look good despite being used in the winter with winter tyres. I used The Gatemaker at Unit 9, Sitwell Business Centre, Heage Road Industrial Estate, Heage Road, Ripley DE5 3GH. Worth a try if you are looking local to Ripley. Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malbaby Posted August 26, 2023 Report Share Posted August 26, 2023 May be a good idea to have the rims tested for any runout before the final paint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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