I bought some used Enkei mesh rims for my FB, and want to re-paint the mesh. What kind of paint should I use? Should I sand them down first? Onlyonthurs, how did you do yours?

I bought some used Enkei mesh rims for my FB, and want to re-paint the mesh. What kind of paint should I use? Should I sand them down first? Onlyonthurs, how did you do yours?

Sand? Yes.
Paint? Wheel paint would seem logical to me.

instead of hand sanding them, you could take them to a metal fab shop and have them sand blasted or bead blasted, just make sure they don't use to coarse of blasting media or it will look like utter shit.

and bead blasted alumimum looks pretty bad ass when done right :bigthumb:

Onlyonthurs, how did you do yours?



I have it on good authority that he just mushed a bunch of black beans in the mesh for that "painted" effect.

I have it on good authority that he just mushed a bunch of black beans in the mesh for that "painted" effect. :roll:

but to answer the question. sand first then go get duplicolors wheel paint it works well

it really depends on how you want it to come out.

if you want a quick and dirty; just hose em down, dry them off and spray them over with wheel paint.

if you want a glossy nice finish; i would do the whole sanding, prep, primer and paint, polish, etc.

it really depends on how you want it to come out.

if you want a quick and dirty; just hose em down, dry them off and spray them over with wheel paint.

if you want a glossy nice finish; i would do the whole sanding, prep, primer and paint, polish, etc.

I want them perfect. :D

good luck with it. post up pics when you're done!

man, where is onlyonthurs? this is like his one chance to really contribute without saying something offbeat and strangely humorous and he's nowhere to be found.

1. wash
2. sand
3. wash
4. dry
5. prep with masking tape
6. apply a coat of primer
7. let dry
8. apply desired paint
9. let dry
10. apply desired clear coat
11. let dry
12. take photos and share them with us

I have it on good authority that he just mushed a bunch of black beans in the mesh for that "painted" effect.



HAHAHAHAHAH that one was good....


ok the spary paint i used was by the company DUPLI-COLOR (i forget the exact name for thier product but it adheres to metal very well...make sure you read that on the label some where!!!...i bought the glossy black kind)...I bought 4 cans total and they sell this at AUTOZONE for about 5 bucks a can. Basically i used 800 grit wet sand paper and wet sanded all the crud build up from the last 20 years off the wheels. Make sure its really smooth to touch. I then masked all the surounding areas that were going to be polished then i painted the centers black. After they dried i peeled of the masking area then i polished the lips on all 4 wheels. The polishing took about 50 hours total. All by hand (in a span of two weeks).

Just to show how ignorant I am, do you need special sandpaper to "wet-sand" something? Is it just throwing water on and sanding it, or what? How exactly do you "wet sand"?

Just to show how ignorant I am, do you need special sandpaper to "wet-sand" something? Is it just throwing water on and sanding it, or what? How exactly do you "wet sand"?

Use 1500 or 2000 grit sandpaper.....2000 is what i'd use...

get a spray bottle, that people use for plants or hairdressers use to wet hair that sprays a mist....mist it, and sand

Should I use a rougher sand paper than 2000 for the initial sanding? There's an assload of old paint on them.

Or, what about some of that "metal-safe paint remover" they sell at Autozone?

YES USE 800 to 1000 grit WET SAND paper...i have alot of exp. in this (no not just on these rims i did ..but MANY other projects in the past)....YEs you can use just water....or do what i did i used wd-40....i think its makes the wet sanding process easier!!! Just spray on and start sanding!!!

How did you polish the lip?

These are my new rims, btw.

http://i17.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/f2/e5/49_1_b.JPG

DAMN you those are nice.......i used a cloth...and the polish compund...then i went at it by hand....it look forever that way though