Wanting to paint my rims, have some questions!

[Kerley]

I have an 03 xterra, got her a week ago and the mod bug has already hit. Im starting with some simple stuff, and that includes painting my rims. What should I use? I have heard of people using spray on bedliner... Is this a good option? Will it hold up in my off-road ventures? Do I need to clear coat it?

Thanks in advance..
SGT Kerley

 

[robcarync]

You will get varying opinions. My personal experience with Rustoleum bedliner is that I wish I had not bed lined my rims. They chipped up pretty easily offroad, and you have to touch them up every time you get new tires put on.

Some people have loved theirs...but even with good prep work, i just didn't get the durability I had hoped for.

 

[sunny1881]

Plasti Dip is great. If you dont like it just peel it off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIUbG4f2tMw

 

[TheFauxFox]

Do not use Krylon Ultra Flat _____.

Chips a little and hard to clean.

 

[NismoFire]

I used Rustoleum flat black. NOT the bedliner, just the paint. I commute daily and painted them before my tires were mounted, AND survived nXm (and a few other wheeling adventures) without any chipping. Prep work is key. Prep it right, it'll stay.

I only put 2 coats on, FWIW.

 

[Prime]

I wouldn't use bedliner on wheels. They still have to be balanced and if you get too overzealous in one particular area that might become difficult.

 

[mudchet]

I used Plasti-Dip on mine and have been happy with that. I sanded them down and wiped them off with acetone before painting. I used 3 coats. The paint has been on there a year now and is holding up well. I've been to the car wash with the high-pressure hose and the paint does fine. My lug wrench has scraped some paint off near the lug nuts, but its minor and easy to fix.

 

[GPD605X]

On my first gen, I painted mine with Rustoleum Satin Black and Rustoleum Sandable Primer and 150 grit sand paper. Just take your time and it will look good. If you have wheel weights on the lip, you might want to take them off. If you ever have to re-balance the tires and the weight needs to go in a diff place, you will have that one spot with no paint lol. See if they can't put the weights on the inside of the wheel.

 

[granitex]

whatever paint you choose it is all about the prep work. without that whatever paint you choose will chip and peel much easier.

 

[Kerley]

Thanks for the advice guys, I think im going to use 150 grit sand paper, with Rustoleum Sandable Primer, then follow up with Rustoleum Satin black paint. I will post pics of it after I get it done. I only drive 6-8 miles a day, and maybe hit a trail once a week.. Maybe less. So I dont think I should have any issues as long as I prep it right. So prep it right I shall!

 

[Kerley]

Sorry took so long. Been a while. I've done a lot since I first got her. Removed plastics, stickers, mud flaps, step rails and such. The normal.

Wheels turned out pretty great.

 

[mudchet]

From what I can see, it looks good. Nice work.