How to Paint your Rims and not your Tires

[DeucesWild11]

Just wanted to share my new trick for painting rims.. I had in the past used masking tape or drop cloths tucked between the tire and rim and then it hit me yesterday.. Just use a piece of thin aluminum or flashing and curve it to the shape of the rim and put in-between the rim and the tire. This worked out great! Here is a pic incase I didn't describe it well enough..

 

[CobraCDR]

Good idea... work smarter, not harder!

 

[swbradley1]

Good idea. I have some half inch plate steel I could use.


I like working harder.................

 

[Recovry4x4]

Good idea. I have some half inch plate steel I could use.


I like working harder.................

Might have to heat it up and bend it around a tree to get that "Right Radius"

 

[4x4 Forever]

The sandblasting guys use a product that is brushed on. Like water when it is applied and when the liquid evaporates, it has a light wax like coating left. After you spray the paint and let it cure, you wash the tire with water and the coating goes away.

Don't know what it is called but sure wish I had paid closer attention to the can...

 

[Katahdin]

The last wheel I did I just brushed on dish soap and washed it off later with a pressure washer.

 

[dittle]

Black tire, black paint....I'm not seeing an issue. Just be careful around the edge and you should have so little overspray that is won't be noticed. If anything you have a little extra UV protection at the bead.

 

[DeucesWild11]

Black tire, black paint....I'm not seeing an issue. Just be careful around the edge and you should have so little overspray that is won't be noticed. If anything you have a little extra UV protection at the bead.

True, I could have done that, but I want to shine up the tires a little and didn't want any issues after the fact. Doing it this way was no time at all, hold up the metal, spray..move..repeat.. I did need to use a wire wheel to take the beige pain off that someone else used on those tires.. I got them with about 80% tread..

 

[swbradley1]

Much easier way to mask off areas.

Wow! 3M is buying your special cherry juice?

 

[jeffhuey1n]

Great Idea

Now if I'd of only thought of it or readabout it before I painted all my rims, oh well, live and learn. Thanks for the great tip!

 

[Coondawg]

Good idea with the flashing. If the tires and rims are off the vehicle you can make a ring out of poster board to shield the tire from the rim. Eastwood sells them, but you can make them just as easily. I think you did the right thing though by shielding the tire.

 

[Mwne2nks]

I use a deck of cards to protect mine when I paint or touch up. Cheap and works well.

 

[DeucesWild11]

I use a deck of cards to protect mine when I paint or touch up. Cheap and works well.

Cool, I like it as well as the poster board that was also suggested!

 

[pctrans]

I use an old plastic "for sale" sign. Lightweight and easy to manuever around the rim.

 

[two.fiveM35]

Am I the only one that still uses masking tape? Boy did I miss the bus.

 

[rolling18]

Am I the only one that still uses masking tape? Boy did I miss the bus.

dont feel bad and back in the "dark" ages, for I also used Masking tape!
i carefully peeled the "tape ring" off and used it 6 times!!!

 

[WillWagner]

Uhhh, dish soap works real good too. Just brush it on, spray and after the paint dries, hose it off.

 

[wilfreeman]

I did the masking tape thing on my tractor, but I might try the dishwashing detergent on my 'A1. I can't see spending money on the 3m stuff - everything they sell is $$$.

 

[goldneagle]

I used Vasoline to do the same thing as that liquid. i used a cheap disposable brush to apply the Vasoine. After the paint fired real good I used some paint thinner to remove the residue.

Works great on small diameter tractor mower wheels.

 

[Josh]

I prefer the lazy way. Paint the rims, and if there is any over spray, I'll just brush up against a curb and call it.good.