4 cans will be plenty. I didn't get back to you sooner.
1 Sand down--just rough them up using around 100 or 150 sandpaper
2 MAKE SURE TO CLEAN THEM REALLY WELL
3 Use playing cards shoved between the wheel and rubber to "mask" them off. I also used newspaper to be sure no paint got on the tire
4 I primered--took 2 cans
5 lay down color--took 3 cans
6 clear is optional (I chose not to clear)
7 make sure they are good and dry before putting back on
\NOTE: The center caps pop out, then the chrome mazda flying m is held in my two tabs. Please take this out and paint the center caps while leaving the chrome 'm'. anything else just looks half-assed IMO
Hope this helps you! Post pics when you are done. I also have some pics of my masking job I will post up in a second.
wait you essentially spray painted your wheels? that's insane...I also find it insane that they look as good as they do. What a fool i was for pricing powder coating options. seriously though, your wheels look sick.
Is that a huge run I see in the Winter12 pic?
Yes spray paint after good prep work. It is all about taking time on the prep. Some argue that PCing aluminum risks the structural integrity of the wheel if done incorrectly. After seeing how nice these turned out, I will never think about paying for PC. Also, that is not a run, but water that dripped down (I had just washed the car). After one full winter I thought these would be trashed and need repainted--If you consider their condition 10/10 with fresh paint, I put them at a 9/10 after one winter. So they hold up pretty well and are durable despite the salt, grime, and everything Ohio winter throws at em. Hope this helps!
