Topic: I suck at painting

[littlebronco]

After reading up on a few threads, I followed recommendations for how to paint my rims.  I used zinc chromate primer, then used appliance epoxy over top.  Last night as I was thinking I would start to lace up the rims, even the smallest touch from the spokes would scratch the paint off the rim.  So apparently I didn't properly do something.  I had used a few different compounds to remove rust from the rim before applying primer.  I did 2-3 coats of primer, not very thick.  I then did about 3 coats of the appliance epoxy, again not very thick.  That's where it stands now.  The paint doesn't feel nearly as tough as, say, the black paint on the frame.  Any suggestions for other methods?  More coats? Clear coat?  I'm kinda doing this on the cheap, but I don't want to have rims that are missing half the paint.

[scondon]

I suck at painting too     I've had the same experience using all kinds of rattle can primers and paints. This after following a very thorough prep of the surface needing paint. I've come to the conclusion that there is a missing "zero" on the number of coats needed. 3+0=30 coats.   Trying to lay thick coats of aerosol paint just gave me runs and drips everywhere, so light coats and lots of them is my next plan of attack.

   Did you use a "prep wash" to thoroughly clean and degrease your rims before painting?

[GoatBaSS]

409,  Brake cleaner, damp cloth, alcohol, and 1000 or there 'bout grit paper, clean again with damp cloth and air gun. Should get you the proper base for the paint to stick. That has been the only way I have gotten anything to stick to chrome.

[Terry in Australia]

I know my way around a paint gun, but chrome is #$%* to paint over, nothing sticks, you can get away with it on fenders etc, but imagine the damage tire irons are gonna do!

Get them chemically stripped or sandblasted, and powdercoat 'em mate, if your paint doesn't fall off now, it'll only do it later, and they'll look like crap. Cheers, Terry.

[joeb]

Welll Terry just about said what I was going to say , When I painted  bike frames that were chromed I had them sand blasted first  then allot of wet sanding before painting. I agree with Terry get them powder coated by a pro.  You will be allot happier.   

[78CB750F1]

Lay on the clearcoat!  Several coats of clearcoat is the only way to protect the finish.  It should last a season or two without too many scratches...then you can powdercoat them.   

[theunrulychef]

You didn't say how long you let the rims dry before lacing them up.  Depending on heat & humidity, you might actually need to leave them for a week or more before they get to full strength.  I actually like to wait at least a week before doing a final polish on laquer, then about a month before I apply any wax.  The appliance epoxy should be fully cured a little faster, but it still won't be at full hardness right off the bat.

[littlebronco]

No clear coats, probably would have helped.  I prepped the rims only by removing rust with Nevr-dull and Mothers.  Probably should have sanded some.  Anyhow, I'm finding I'm spending too much time on these going the DIY route so this morning they went off to the powder coater.  $100 for both rims including stripping all my crap paint off.

[Terry in Australia]

Well done mate, it's the best thing you could have done, the wrecking yards here are full of half-assed peeling paint jobs, ha ha! Cheers, Terry.

[MRieck]

 As a sidebar...I place spray paint cans in a small bucket of hot water for about 5 minutes prior to using them. The product works much better in regard to leveling and pressure.

[littlebronco]

Thanks for all the tips, guys.  I definitely will be painting some of the parts off this bike myself, so it's good to have a few more tricks to use.

[Chlap]

Just curious, what color are you going to go with? Black?  How about you others who have already coated your wheels?

[Terry in Australia]

Black looks good, as does the "phony-aluminum" color, I've seen red on some bikes and it looks good too, and I even saw some nice gold ones. Much cheaper than alloy rims and stronger too. Cheers, Terry.