Best way to spray paint wheel trims?

[geraintthomas]

Hey,

I gave spraying a go the other day, tried to spray the original 3-stud wheel trims of my Saxo white. The result? Terrible. There must have been oil on the wheels (even after I cleaned them) because the paint didn't stick in areas, leaving bubbles - mind you, I didn't use Primer *idiot*.

What's the best way to spray paint a wheel trim? Obviously it's just plastic but keep in mind it's going to have a lot of contact with road wear & tear. I've googled this and found helpful results, but I'd like to know your experiences! What are the best products? Any tips for long lasting spray jobs?

Here's the wheels with the terrible spray job (you can't really see the bubbles from the image)
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/2531/leafym.jpg

Thanks! Take care.

[VillicusVTR]

i would rub down the paint you put on as much as you can, id use every grit of sandpaper to get a smooth finish. then i would use primer and i would then "flatten" it using each grit of wet n dry. Once thats done put your basecoat on, then flatten it with wet n dry again then laquer. Spraying always follows the same steps if you want it too look good. Sand, prime, flatten, basecoat, flatten, laquer.

[geraintthomas]

i would rub down the paint you put on as much as you can, id use every grit of sandpaper to get a smooth finish. then i would use primer and i would then "flatten" it using each grit of wet n dry. Once thats done put your basecoat on, then flatten it with wet n dry again then laquer. Spraying always follows the same steps if you want it too look good. Sand, prime, flatten, basecoat, flatten, laquer.

Fantastic, thanks for the tips! Would the steps be the same if I were spraying them Gloss? I'm just curious because I didn't know you should sand paper after you spray the basecoat?

[Malky]

With all the cash you may spend on paper, primer, paint etc can't you just buy a set of white trims?

[VillicusVTR]

yea steps are the same, make sure you dont use sandpaper tho after the basecoat, only use wet and dry, you can get a pack of assorted from halfords. Only use sandpaper to rub down what you have allready painted, you do this so the primer has something to stick too!

[VillicusVTR]

lol true malky!

[geraintthomas]

With all the cash you may spend on paper, primer, paint etc can't you just buy a set of white trims?

Augh, I completely agree with you. Trouble is that I haven't found a set I particularly like. I don't wheel trims that look like I'm tryin too hard (because after all, they're just wheel trims). But a set that look decent on my saxo.

Another dilema would be that I've only got 3 nuts, otherwise I'd just get VTR alloys. I absolutely love the 106 alloys in the image below, but can't for the life of me find them for sale anywhere.

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/7439/sl383506.jpg

So for the time being I'm still looking for some good looking wheel trims, but in the mean time I thought I'd spray these white (I already had primer and most of the equipment).

[VillicusVTR]

if u spray them just take your time, use only thin coats - the more thin coats the better dont over spray them! and leave 24+ hours for the basecoat to harden before adding laquer

[Malky]

What about these for the meantime?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/13-ALABAMA-WHITE-WHEEL-TRIMS-HUB-CAPS-PEUGEOT-106-/130536176015?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Wheels_tyre _Trims_Trims_ET&hash=item1e648ff98f

[geraintthomas]

I did have a look at those originally, just wasn't sure if they stuck out too much (more prone to damage, and would look daft). Plus they don't accept returns once opened :(

[VillicusVTR]

there were some 3 stud alloys for sale on here

[geraintthomas]

I think I'll have a snoop around! Anyway, thanks so much for the help guys, really appreciate it!

[stevo67]

Why not ditch the wheel trims & spray your steel wheels white?

Steve.

[geraintthomas]

Why not ditch the wheel trims & spray your steel wheels white?

Steve.

That was definitely something I was considering. I may still do, no harm in doing that! Just not sure how it would look on a green flat arch.

What do you recon? Here's an image of the wheels with their new spray job I did earlier (thanks to you guys). It might be hard to see the difference, but they're a lot better..

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/2584/26510910150303077885310.jpg

So - white steelies, or white wheel trims?

[ads85]

Id go white steelies, but that's just my choice

[Venns]

I would just buy a set of alloys mate

[MiniGibbo]

White hub caps then when you come to sell it you could jsut replace them for another sivler pair and sell the car 100% standard form..