The right way to clear coat wheels?

[vetteboy86]

So as soon as spring hits I am going to detail the crap out of my wheels, instead of buying new ones. I stripped them about two years ago, and they look good, but I am going to try to really shine them up. After I shine them up, what is the correct way to coat them to keep them safe from chemicals and the weather? Thanks, Craig

 

[mkapp7879]

I used Dupont ChromaClear+activator and my old Binks No9 spray gun. Don't use the spray can clear offered by the catalog places(VHT). I did and they yellowed in a couple of months. Had to strip them again. Cleared them the second time with the tires on. Let all the air out of the tires so that I could get masking tape way down between the tire and rim. Masked em all off real good. Two wet coats about 3 minutes apart. Turned out great. First time I had the tires off and the tire guy knicked all 4 putting in new valve stems! Mike

 

[paintdaddy]

This is a hard question.I have a freind that sells corvette wheels,new and refurbished.He has them cleared at a body shop but doesnt know how the automotive clear actually holds up over time.Chemically it doesnt make sense that clear should stick to bare metal ecspecially polished metal.Clear is nothing more than paint with out the pigment and paint wont stick to metal with out primerand primer wont stick unless the metal is etched,sanded or blasteed. Eastwood sells a clear that is supposed to be used for bare metal parts but I think its mainly used for underhood parts so its hard to say if it will hold up on a wheel.There is also some stuff called zoop,I dont know much about it but I think it is a system that includes polish and a clear for it.

 

[96vetteLT4]

To properly paint the wheels you need to do the following. This process is only for PAINTED wheels such as on a Collectors Edition, Gran Sport, ect. If you are going to try and apply clear to a metal wheel goodluck as these actually are baked on for the finish and durability. Clearcoat directly on aluminum rarely last and sometimetimes you are better off buying a new set of wheels, cheaper in the long run Remove any and all clear or paint currently on the wheels. fix and repair any problems with the metal such as deep marks or blemishes. Primer with a quality etching primer follow by a standard primer. This is an extra step but I find that it adds to the life of the paint. Follow by a base coat clear coat application of paint. Base coat goes on and 20 minutes later you can put the clear coat on. You have to wait at least 20 minutes between clear coats to let the vapors evaporate. On Wheels I usually apply 4 coats of clear. This is 1 coat more than a regular paint project would take but you will need it. And after all of that is done now comes the fun part....sanding and buffing which is really what brings out the shine. I love the look on someones face when they see me start sanding with 1000 grit sandpaper on new painted wheels bringing them to a dull look and again after buffing them for a shine they cant believe. There is a lot of work in painting anything and I wuld suggest you go to one of the paint forums for more painting details.You CANT do this with a spray can so you have to use the same setup as you were painting a car. Right gun, air supply , and quality paint. You do have to know how to paint but this actually one of the best places to learn. Good luck