New Tires, What should I do for wheels?

[Hunter79764]

Basically, yeah, that price is the same as buying new. But buying new gives you nice, clean, white painted wheels. For $125 locally, you can have them that should be nice, clean, white POWDERCOATED wheels.
Unless I'm reading the specs wrong on the new ones, I think its likely a good epoxy paint. If the prep is done right for the powdercoat I'd think it would be more durable but no real firsthand experience.

 

[scrap--metal]

The last set I bought cost about that much new

I just got the Vision brand from Summit. 17x9 at $92 each.

No, that sounds horrible. You can buy new ones for $125/ea.

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Now I see what you guys are saying. Thanks for keeping me in line.

I have to think a little more about this... Maybe I just paint my existing wagon wheels since they're in decent shape with minimal rust. They're just very poorly painted at the moment.

 

[scrap--metal]

Oh man, I need a change of underwear after seeing that picture. The canoe, the topper, the faded paint what's not to love?

I do love the topper. It was well worth the $50 price on Craigslist. Probably even a better score than the $50 brush guard I put on it.

 

[Hunter79764]

Because we all need more tools, and you're prepared to spend some cash anyway... Do you have a compressor, and have you thought about this?

110 lb. Pressurized Abrasive Blaster

Amazing deals on this 110Lb Pressurized Abrasive Blaster at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

(Or something like it, choose your quality level). Blast the paint off, Blast the metal clean, put as much of a profile on the base metal as you can, then spray a good metal primer, a good epoxy type paint, and consider some type of clearcoat or protective layer if you want extra insurance. You'd probably be in it for a little less money, and have a tool that can be used for the next project. Just don't leave the blasted metal out for very long, it can flash rust in a matter of hours in the wrong conditions.
OR, if you have an old oven (or momma wants a new one and you can convince her you will handle the old one appropriately in the garage), get a powdercoat kit and do that yourself, after blasting.

And granted, it's easy to say from the other side of the internet that you have time to do all of that, but it's an option.

 

[SquareRoot]

I debated white, black or chrome wheels. Decided on dark grey/silver to match the soon to be repainted OE bumper. It's a more modern look but I love it! If you need hubcaps, I got 3 full sets.

 

[Grit dog]

Agree with @Hunter79764 spending money on tools is generally a greater roi than one off charge to do the work. (Provided you have a decent size compressor)
And how much spare time you have.
I’d think just having them powder coated should be around $50 a wheel? If you prep them.
Wheels are time consuming to prep and if diy painting them, need to have everything lined out to be able to prime, paint and clear all within the no sanding window.

 

[Dezzracer]

You can never go wrong with the old school stock Chevy rally wheels. I’m talking about the slotted gray ones with the chrome lip ring and plastic center cap. If you go the other way, I would definitely go white.

 

[Grit dog]

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Now I see what you guys are saying. Thanks for keeping me in line.

I have to think a little more about this... Maybe I just paint my existing wagon wheels since they're in decent shape with minimal rust. They're just very poorly painted at the moment.

If you have the time to prep them right. Multiple layers of potentially peeling paint is alot of work to remove by hand (tool). And you have a compressor and gun so you can spray some quality paint on them.
If I was worried about the quality of the finish on new economical steel wheels, and had said paint gun, would highly consider scuffing new wheels and clearing them. Another option for durability.

 

[scrap--metal]

Thank you all for the input earlier this spring. I'm finally following up with " before and after" pics...

I ended up cleaning and repainting the wheels myself, and I'm pleased with how they turned out.

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I also gave the hood a backyard paint job last month. I was tired of hearing my wife complain about the PO's rattle can primer flames.

A friend had given me over a gallon of red paint a few years ago, and I had epoxy and urethane primers left from another project, so I did what I could with a Friday off work. The color doesn't match, but it'll fade over time. After all, it's cheap paint that I was given for free.