diy wheel refurb

[Rob72]

im gonna try a diy job on my willy wheels cos there lookin rough and my budget wont entertain a professional job.

ive already got the correct colour of paint ..just need to get a couple of rattle cans made up.

im looking for a few pointers on how i should prepare them for a respray.

p.s. im not bothered about the rim.

[MatrixGuy]

Where did you get the paint from mate? I really want to do mine but worried i will botch them.

[northy]

Use paint stripper to strip the paint off...it will take you a good 3 hours to do one wheel completely. I found it best to do it in layers. 1st app removed the laquer, 2nd gets the gold soft, 3rd gets it all off.

Etch primer

Paint rear of wheel Grey (as per original)

Paint front of wheel gold

Get the rim cut

Laquer the full wheel

[16v_paddy]

I refurbed my wheels myself (not willy wheels like, ph2 valver)

1st thing is to get them shot blasted, I wouldnt bother ****in around sanding them down, too much ballache and theres a good chance it wont be very even. I paid £20 a wheel

When thats done get some chemical metal or a wheel repair kit to fill any kerb marks etc (if there is any), then rub it down so its flat & even.
Give them a clean with paint prep wipes then a tack cloth to get rid of all the dirt

Then give them a good few coats of primer, I would use the best part of a full tin to do willy wheels as you wanna make sure you get a decent coat on the bits around the side where the gaps in the wheel are

Next give them a light rub down with some 800 grit wet paper. Then give them a thorough clean with some degreaser and a tack cloth. I didnt use any degreaser and 1 of my wheels had to be done all over again as this tiny bit of grease completely ****ed up the paint

Now the paint, give the wheel a light dust coat, for willy wheels you'll have to pay particular attention to the sides of the spokes, leave it to dry for 10 mins or just start on the next wheel.
Now give it a good coat of paint in nice even strokes, start with the spokes 1st. Leave them 4 about an hour then apply another coat then leave to dry overnight. Repeat the above the next day then leave 24 hrs again.

Net job is to rub the wheels down with some 1500 grit wet (or finer) A thorough clean and degrease again. Now they're ready for laquer.
Same process as the paint, I used almost a full tin on each wheel, apply a good coat, leave for 20-30 mins, then another coat. Repeat this for each coat (3 or 4 its up to you really) Leave for 24 hours and job done.

I can put some pics up later

[Rob72]

Where did you get the paint from mate? I really want to do mine but worried i will botch them.

got the paint from a local spraystore, its actually subaru gold but the guy told me its a good enuf match..was alot cheaper than the renault paint aswell.

p.s. thank alot for the advice lads..really appreciate that.

[Daz.]

close isn't good enough! I'd only ever refurb them with proper paint.

[summeh]

got the paint from a local spraystore, its actually subaru gold but the guy told me its a good enuf match..was alot cheaper than the renault paint aswell.

A good enough match in his opinion. So long as your happy with that though I guess!

[drsmith1979]

i'd second the blasting comment, most places local will do them for 'cash in hand'... then i would high build prime them to remove any small imperfections sand them back and then start with the coats.... most willy wheels are covered in brake dust or mud anyway so i wouldn't worry about the colour too much unless you are looking for a collectors finish.... which if you were you would get them professionally done anyway so its a no brainer

[Rob72]

close isn't good enough! I'd only ever refurb them with proper paint.

my supplier knows his stuff.
there,s about 20 different shades to chose from...

[Yanoo_]

I think Akzo R9312 is a really good choice.
The left cup is the painted, the right one is the original:


R9312 is slightly lighter than the original, and not so "deep", but enough good match.

I'm satisfied with my refirbished wheels: