How To: Repair curb rash and paint rims

[mazdaspeed777]

I am talking about the little lead weights that the shop puts on that actually balance the wheel. They come in different gram weight increments, they might be called "counterweights", but I am not sure.

Yah I know what weights your talking about. But most counterweights don't stick to the rim, they have hooks that wrap around to the inside of the wheel. I guess thats where your confusing me. So at any rate yah you can balance any wheel one way or another.

 

[CulRidr]

What MP3Performance is asking is if he should paint over the little weights when the wheels have been balanced so that they don't stick out as much (visually). I will have the same issue when I get mine balanced (when I find a good place to do it around here). My guess is that since the weights are only a few grams, and the amount of paint added over would be a fraction of that, that he (us) should be OK, but I'm definitely no expert so my opinion is definitely up for criticism.

 

[CulRidr]

The ones that are now on my rims (most likely from the previous owners paint job) are of the "sticky" kind as well...

Yah I know what weights your talking about. But most counterweights don't stick to the rim, they have hooks that wrap around to the inside of the wheel. I guess thats where your confusing me. So at any rate yah you can balance any wheel one way or another.

 

[mazdaspeed777]

Oh I see. I wouldn't paint the backside of the wheel if I were you. I didn't and you can't even tell. I think that would mess up the counterweight if you did paint the back side of the wheel.

 

[MP3Performance]

Sorry for the confusion (hand) . I never saw these "sticky" weights before I bought MP3 either. I will probably just see how it looks after the balancing and then decide.

One other question I had was how did you like the clearcoat? One of my friends said that clearcoat make the wheels seem too glossy. And I also read that duplicolor adds some kind of metallic gloss to the regular wheel paint. I am thinking about painting mine either bronze or gunmetal, and don't want too much of a gloss finish, but do want to protect the paint.

 

[mazdaspeed777]

Yah it more depends if you want more protection or not. If you do clearcoat as well the paint more likely to last longer. But I guess if it's more important to not have a glossy look then just add a few more coats of wheel paint than you would usually do. I will probably add a clear coat layer every year that I have my painted wheels to make sure they last long.

 

[mazdaspeed777]

Yah it more depends if you want more protection or not. If you do clearcoat as well the paint more likely to last longer. But I guess if it's more important to not have a glossy look then just add a few more coats of wheel paint than you would usually do. I will probably add a clear coat layer every year that I have my painted wheels to make sure they last long.

 

[Foolish]

I would not paint over the weights! A good shop will pull all the weights off (to start fresh, so to speak) before balancing your wheels anyway, so you'd have nasty unpainted areas where the weights were. Besides, sometimes the clamp-on weights can corrode and mark up your wheels, so you'll def. want to sand and paint where they were.

When it's all said and done, I'd take 'em to a shop that could balance them with the sticky weights, so they don't scratch up your new paint job when putting them on and taking them off later.

 

[Canadianzoom]

I JUST finished doing this! It looks AMAZING!!! I'll post pics later, i took pics all through the job. Unfortunatly my camreas battery just died, so the last couple will be from my phone.

But I'll be sure to take lots once there on and my camera is back up, don't you worry about that!

P.S. Thanks a Lot for the write up MazdaSpeed777!!!!!!!!1!!!one!!!

 

[mazdaspeed777]

I JUST finished doing this! It looks AMAZING!!! I'll post pics later, i took pics all through the job. Unfortunatly my camreas battery just died, so the last couple will be from my phone.

But I'll be sure to take lots once there on and my camera is back up, don't you worry about that!

P.S. Thanks a Lot for the write up MazdaSpeed777!!!!!!!!1!!!one!!!

Your welcome! happy to contribute to make this forum a great and helpfull sight! Now lets see some pics! lol

 

[CulRidr]

I wish I had a picture for you, because mine were done with Duplicolor High Performance wheel paint, Graphite colour (a light gun metal)...they look AWESOME!
Take mazdaspeed777's advice and remove the weights you have on now, paint the rims (do the inside if you wish, I find it looks really nice, although you don't necessarily need as many coats).
I put 2 coats on the inside, and 3 on the outside. With the metallic "flakes" inside the paint, it won't be like body paint where it's nice and uber-smooth; you'll notice that it will be a little "powdery" after putting on a couple of coats. I suggest you give it a very quick job of wet-sanding with a minimum of 1000grit sandpaper, maybe 1500 (it takes less then 10mins/wheel), then let it dry, and apply a couple of quick coats of clear coat. It WON'T be too glossy, and the finish looks REALLY nice. I can't tell you how many good comments I've gotten on my rims since I've done them.

Once you are done, take the wheels to get balanced (got mine done yesterday), and they will put on the sticky weights (they stick just fine --> it took a LOT Of prying for me to get them off the previous paint job). I wouldn't bother painting over them as you'll pretty much forget they are there. if you really want to do it though, tape around the area so you don't ruin your hard work and give it a quick coat (you shouldn't need more then one). You won't be disappointed with the results!
If I can get a buddy of mine to take a picture soon, I'll post one up

Sorry for the confusion (hand) . I never saw these "sticky" weights before I bought MP3 either. I will probably just see how it looks after the balancing and then decide.

One other question I had was how did you like the clearcoat? One of my friends said that clearcoat make the wheels seem too glossy. And I also read that duplicolor adds some kind of metallic gloss to the regular wheel paint. I am thinking about painting mine either bronze or gunmetal, and don't want too much of a gloss finish, but do want to protect the paint.

 

[MP3Performance]

I wish I had a picture for you, because mine were done with Duplicolor High Performance wheel paint, Graphite colour (a light gun metal)...they look AWESOME!
Take mazdaspeed777's advice and remove the weights you have on now, paint the rims (do the inside if you wish, I find it looks really nice, although you don't necessarily need as many coats).
I put 2 coats on the inside, and 3 on the outside. With the metallic "flakes" inside the paint, it won't be like body paint where it's nice and uber-smooth; you'll notice that it will be a little "powdery" after putting on a couple of coats. I suggest you give it a very quick job of wet-sanding with a minimum of 1000grit sandpaper, maybe 1500 (it takes less then 10mins/wheel), then let it dry, and apply a couple of quick coats of clear coat. It WON'T be too glossy, and the finish looks REALLY nice. I can't tell you how many good comments I've gotten on my rims since I've done them.

Once you are done, take the wheels to get balanced (got mine done yesterday), and they will put on the sticky weights (they stick just fine --> it took a LOT Of prying for me to get them off the previous paint job). I wouldn't bother painting over them as you'll pretty much forget they are there. if you really want to do it though, tape around the area so you don't ruin your hard work and give it a quick coat (you shouldn't need more then one). You won't be disappointed with the results!
If I can get a buddy of mine to take a picture soon, I'll post one up

Cool, thanks for the explanation. It would be great if you could get me a shot of the gunmetal on the car. I will most likely do my wheels next Saturday. I have been fighting between gunmetal and bronze. I am worried the gunmetal would to be too dark, making it look almost black (which could hide the awesome MP3 rims). From what I read many people love the bronze, but I have never personally seen bronze wheels except once on a wrx (and it did look nice). Any input on the decision would be great.

 

[CulRidr]

I'll do my best to get you pix before then...but they look freaking sweet. I might have to settle for taking a cellphone camera picture, but I'll see what I can come up with.

 

[Canadianzoom]

Pictures as promised!!

Before (obv.)

Damn Camera phone!

And after...but it was a couple days after, due to camera issues, so they're already dusty. I'll get teh car nice and clean and take more.

 

[mazdaspeed777]

^^^great job, yah I notice that the wheel paint collects dust very easily

 

[Canadianzoom]

Thanks! Yeah...kinda didn't think of the whole "black shows dirt" thing...ah well, Still love um!

 

[whitemp5seattle]

nice!

 

[mazdaspeed777]

Also remember to keep those wheels clean guys once you paint them. It will make the paint last longer.

 

[amsgator]

i am debating btwn graphite (gunmetal) or black. advanced has the graphite and clear for 4.95 and if i want black i have to go to pep boys and it's 5.99 there. not sure which I want on a yellow car

 

[amsgator]

yo can also use index cards instead of playing cards. cheaper