LUVTruck.com

Anyone know the best way to paint the stock rims? I would like to paint them back to the original factory white. Paint is one thing I have never messed with, any suggestions? Oh, and I would like to do a good job, not grab a can of white spray paint and have a go at it. Thanks, RF.

have tham powed coted.

Is that Powder Coated? If so, what is that? Thanks, RF

Powder coating is a process in which you start out by sand blasting the surface to be coated. Then you hook up a ground to the rim and the powder that the gun puts out is charged with a positive power ( I don't know how much it is energized to ). After that is is heated in a special oven with the temp decided by how thick the metal is. Powder coating is harder to chip, fades less and is a very durable finish. I run powder coating on my jet ski trailer and they never rust. In a few weeks I will be able to tell you more about the process as I am thinking about opening a powder coating and Line-X dealership with a friend of mine that has owned a powder coating business for several years now.

_________________
Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

Around here the Les Schwab dealerships have a place they send them off to for powder coating. I was quoted about $20 a wheel and they do everything from sandblast to coat. My dad just had the wheels on his 78 fullsize Chevy done and I think they were about the same price. Turned out beautiful. You might check around tire shops in your area and see if they do the same thing. I think a lot of them are offering it as a service to get more people in there for tires.

_________________
95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

Sounds good guys, although it sounds like something that I would have to take and have done. One day I hope to be able to do everything myself, but that is not here yet. Thanks, RF.

are you looking to paint onto the existing paint or start w/ bare metal?

_________________
-Old ride-82 Luv diesel 5spd with some upgrades
-Past rides-82 Sierra, 78 Coupe De'Ville, 91 2dr Blazer, 86 RX7, 86 Porsche 944T (rear-ended and totaled)
-Curr. rides- 1970 Ford LTD 4dr, 390 4Bbl, 2nd owner! With a few Extras 00' Civic beater...

I would like to take it down to the bare metal and then go from there. Then get some paint that brake dust and such will wash off easily. Thanks, RF.

Well, if you have an aircompressor you could run to your local harbor freight and pick up a "mickey-mouse" sandblaster (which is what i use) for $20 plus a bag of play sand from k-mart or wherever... (if it's moist n' clumpy) open the bag and set the sand in two/three empty boxes, like 2ftx1ftx1ft ish, let it sit for a couple of days to dry out then put it in the blaster (if it's dry and powdery) then put it straight in, now just slap some tape n' paper on the tires around the rim (keeps the rubber from getting too marred up) then put you a hat, goggles, and a dust mask on, and go to work. Use brake cleaner to clean up the dust that's left from the sand on your steel wheel, then spray on a coat of auto-primer (preferably with one of those little spray can gun/holder things you can get from dollar gen., gives you better control over the paint), let dry, then another coat, then spray on a coat or two of whatever you want, lowes/H.dpt. has paint that's not supposed to run at all, used it on my bumper and it only ran once (cause i was holding it really close just to see if it would run... well duh) then spray on clear if you please. I'd practice using the paint and clear on a xtra peice of metal or something...

_________________
-Old ride-82 Luv diesel 5spd with some upgrades
-Past rides-82 Sierra, 78 Coupe De'Ville, 91 2dr Blazer, 86 RX7, 86 Porsche 944T (rear-ended and totaled)
-Curr. rides- 1970 Ford LTD 4dr, 390 4Bbl, 2nd owner! With a few Extras 00' Civic beater...

Thanks Finalman for the awesome detailed info. I think that I will give it a shot. Its gotta look better than the old timey rust look I got now. RF