alloy wheels

[mickl]

Hi



I am about to embark on a respray of my alloys, I assume that the best way to mask up alloy as to cover in masking tape and use a sharp knife to cut away and expose black areas, I am planning to use a high build aerosol primer but should the black sections be gloss or satin, I am considering using hammerite gloss black spray to finish or would it be better to use a normal gloss paint.



Any suggestions from anyone with experience of this job will be welcome



Thanks



Mick L

[John]

imported post

I did mine with a few coats of brush-on gloss hammerite. Make a reasonable effort not to paint the bits you want to remain alloy, but don't worry too much. When dry, but not hard, you can scrape excess off with a scraper/knife. When completely set, polish the alloy parts with fine grade wet'n'dry then fine steel wool and solvol autosol.

[StagnJag]

imported post

I am in the process of doing mine as well, I have used brush on Hamerite as well.

Anyone have any suggestions of a good lacquer? I have bought a can of Plasti-kote Clear acrylic (Gloss) will this be up to the job?

Dave

[dogsnadgers]

imported post

If you only use it in the summer I wouldn't bother lacquering them, a quick wipe with solvol brings em up a treat, if you're an all year rounder then perhaps lacquer is best, though I couldn't recommend one over another, though I did find specific alloy wheel lacquer when I did my wifes cars painted alloys recently, it seems okay so far.

Dave

[DJT]

imported post

Mick,

This has been discussed at length on various forums over the years. General consensus is to leave them unlaquered. Laquer will only last a short while. Any damage due to stone chips, or carelessness when using the air line, will introduce an avenue for damp, salt, dirt, etc. and will rapidly spread. Result will be further work cleaning them off again. Better to polish to a good shine with Autosol, or similar, then apply your usual car polish. Perhaps once a year another session with Autosol will keep them in good shape.

Dave

[Bob Heritage]

imported post

Hi Mick

I would leave them unlacquered as they can look good when polished well. If you are going to drive the car in dodgy weather give them a wipe with WD40, it will clean off easily in the summer.

Bob

[sax player]

imported post

Masking up is a pain in the preverbial...I liberally smeared grease onto the parts i didnt want paint on. Then allowed the paint to dry and wiped away the grease, leaving the virgin shiny metal.

shaun.