Preparing rims for paint

[Johnnyboy]

Hello everyone,
I bring you yet another question: How do I prep the inner rim surface for paint. As you know, the confined nature of the surface makes it impossible for a large tool to get the job done. I have the following tools at my disposal:

1. Paint stripper (gel)
2. Angle grinder with wire wheel
3. Die griner
4. wire wheel for drill
5. sandpaper

Would some heavy sanding be sufficient?
Thanks in advance,
Johnnyboy

 

[mckutzy]

How much work do you want to do... That's what it come down too.

Stripper liquid stuff is harsh but works... Very corrosive..
Wire wheels are time consuming, but nescisarly when they are powdercoated.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Johny....I'm a big advocate of hand sanding whenever possible or even slightly feasible....

So.....that's my answer....probably the most overlooked, underrated, and misunderstood. method of prepping material for paint in this modern day....

(Everyone thinks machines should do the work for them.....and can do a better job) .....yeah right! !!!

 

[Johnnyboy]

Johny....I'm a big advocate of hand sanding whenever possible or even slightly feasible....

So.....that's my answer....probably the most overlooked, underrated, and misunderstood. method of prepping material for paint in this modern day....

(Everyone thinks machines should do the work for them.....and can do a better job) .....yeah right! !!!

AMEN. Even after I spent weeks wire wheeling/brushing my frame, I hand sanded the entire thing. I just wasn't sure if it alone would be sufficient for the rims.

 

[Poboy kartman]

AMEN. Even after I spent weeks wire wheeling/brushing my frame, I hand sanded the entire thing. I just wasn't sure if it alone would be sufficient.

Yes...the wire brush can get stuff the sandpaper can't...but ...you need both....

 

[NinjaRay]

Paint stripper always works the best but make sure to wash it all off !

 

[OzFab]

The biggest issue with paint stripper is it doesn't touch rust... that's where the wire wheel comes in...

The obvious best solution is sand blasting but, if you don't have that method available to you, the above suggestions are the way to go...

 

[BirdFanatic]

if it where me hand sand 60 grit then sand with 100 i like to leave it a little rough for the paint to stick to better with hand sanding you get more attention to detail .

 

[DirtyDamage]

Personally I would hit the rust with a wire wheel to get that off, then sand the rim by hand. If the entire rim is rusted, I suggest a tub with vinegar and water...look it up on youtube, it does wonders.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Rustoleum also makes a spray on product called "Rust Converter "...IIRC....(although I think they changed the name).... that changes rust into primer....I've used it with good results...

Follow up with a high build primer....wet sand...then paint...

Of course.....removal of as much rust as possible is always best.....

 

[Johnnyboy]

Alright, I ended up taking an emery cloth and going to town. It seemed to not only smooth out the random "waves" in the paint job but did succeed in removing about 50% of the top coat. I'm really not too concerned about leaving paint there because the sanding did not reveal any large amounts of rust. I was hesitant of usig paint stripper, because mine still requires a fair amount of effort (often a wire wheel) to remove, and I couldn't have applied that power in such a small, confined space. All that's left to do now is build up some primer, sand, paint, put the tires back on, and put everything back together (oh it sounds easy), and RIDE!

 

[X-Shark]

Now that everyone else has had their turn lets talk.

My ways of doing things are not usually the cheapest. They are made to LAST!

The absolute best way to start is have the metal blasted.

Sand blasted, soda blasted....whatever?

This removes the old paint, primer and rust. it also etches the metal to where the new primer will adhere the Best.

Epoxy primers are the very best to cover bare, blasted metal.

No true epoxy primer comes in a spray can....I don't care What the label says.

If your thinking of just a rattle can / spray bomb / whatever in the can....Then just disregard what I have said.

"Quality is Long remembered after the price is forgotten.

 

[Zombient]

I stripped. Then wire brushed. Had at least 2 coats of paint, then powder coating.

Took a day to get all 4 done, but I did get it done.