Painting the stock wheels

[Blask3]

So I picked up some Rustoleum paint and primer and I am planning on painting the stock wheels this weekend. I was wondering if anyone had some prep tips. I have done this with several other trucks but they were always steel wheels and the TB wheels are different. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Gordinho80]

I sanded my wheels down a little with some 220 grit... just enough to scuff the clear coat. I then proceeded to clean the hell out of them, let them dry, then light coats, allowing plenty of dry time between coats. I used the duplicolor wheel paint.

[Blask3]

Thats what I figured. What did you clean them with, just a mild soap and water? And do you think that normal paint will be ok? I am going to prime it and do several coats with maybe a clear on top.

[Gordinho80]

I used mild soap and water. I used the duplicolor because they specifically mention not to use primer. I did 3 or 4 coats of the flat black, nothing else. They've held up pretty well for a year and a half.

If you do any serious trails, you run risk of scratching the paint on your wheels...

[Blask3]

Cool thanks, and I think with enough coats it will be good. And it looks like I may just have to carry another can with me.

Did you paint the center caps or take them off completely?

[Trail X]

I took my caps off entirely.

Same procedure as Mario... sand, clean, let dry... then paint. I painted mine with the tire mounted... used the same circular overspray sheet for all 5 wheels.

I don't remember what I used, but I got it for high corrosion resistance. It took 2 cans for 5 wheels. It's lasted 2 years now.

[Gordinho80]

I painted my caps. I had the luxury of painting the wheels before I put tires on.

[Blask3]

You are lucky. I am going to have to mask off the tire. I have done it before so it shouldn't be to bad.

I was thinking about leaving the caps off and putting on chrome lugnuts just for a bit of flash.

[Regulator1175]

I did mine the same way mentioned above. It worked out well. I will admit that I was in a bit of a rush, and didn't bother masking off the tires. After the rims were good and dry, I hit the tires with a power washer and the paint came off the tires.

[HARDTRAILZ]

If you do any tough trails, it wont matter what you paint them with, it will come off. I have taken the coating off my wheels in many places. Mine are not paint, but it still comes off with use. You could easily end up with grind marks in the aluminum like mine have. Just use cheap paint and touch them up like i do my sliders and frame.

[MrSmithsTB]

If you run the truck hard, the paint will come off. Using a flat or textured paint will make it much easier to touch up scratches and scrapes. Spray on bedliner is a great choice. It's what I use now, but I will be changing that for either brush on or new wheels.

*tip*
If you are painting the wheel with the tires mounted, use index cards in between the wheel and the tire and cover the tire in old t shirts or something. This should keep the rubber free and clear of paint.

[Blask3]

I was debating the truck bed liner. I am going to paint the lower half of the truck with it and would like it to match. But I am skeptical. Does it mess with the balance of the tire at all?

[MrSmithsTB]

I had no balancing issues, and that was even with mounting used tires.

[djthumper]

You will want to check the balance after painting anyhow. Are you planning on painting the wheels with the weights still on there?

[Blask3]

If i am going to get the balance checked then I will most likely take of the weights and have them put weights on the inside lip of the rim as opposed to the outside lip.

I was also debating on whether or not to paint the inside of the wheel.

[Philberto]

I'd leave the inside wheel, as that's where the weights will go.

Personally, I'm gonna put some raptor liner on my wheels when I do the rest of the car and call it a day.

[Blask3]

That sounds like a good idea. I think I am going to do the same. Why spend the money on spray paint when I will have some extra bedliner to play with.