Repainting wheels

[jetmech]

I'm going to repaint the wheels on my 78 1000E and I want to keep them the stock dark grey color. Can anyone tell me what paint is a good match for that color?

[jwhelan65]

Not sure about the color match but Duplli-Color engine enamel works well and looks fantastic.

[Zooks]

Not sure about the color match but Duplli-Color engine enamel works well and looks fantastic.

Did you paint them yourself? They look great!!

Did you use 'fineline' tape to mask the edges?

[Rkt-Rch]

Repainting wheels

Hey that looks like my wheel(s) ... I had to use three different types of sanding cloth on mine, the aluimum was in very BAD condition. I forget what the grit was but the cloth that worked well to get the first layer off was the same stuff you use for prepping copper pipe for HVAC.. It is a mesh cloth with poures holes in it. Don't mind the spelling.. Then Real fine 00 steel wool with mothers.

Brushed on Rust-olem Gloss/semi black. I did it in way to cold temps and will re-do this year.

[jwhelan65]

Did you paint them yourself? They look great!!

Did you use 'fineline' tape to mask the edges?

Zooks

Yea I masked with green auto body painters tape and then used a utility knife to cut away the access. Three coats of Dupil-color high gloss engine enamel. As far as polishing, started with 200 grit and worked my way up to 1000 and them polished with Mothers

Rkt-Rch

sure does look familiar...

[lilbilly]

So you guys actually do tape them off and then paint them?

If the black is just a little faded on the stock wheels, can it be polished to a shine, or does it most likely need repainted?

[jetmech]

They do look good in black but I'm trying to find that dark grey color. I'll check Duplicolor its good paint. Their Hitemp Aluminum was a good match on my engine.

[jetmech]

I like the SUZUKI in yellow on that wheel. Nice touch.

[jwhelan65]

So you guys actually do tape them off and then paint them?

If the black is just a little faded on the stock wheels, can it be polished to a shine, or does it most likely need repainted?

I tried cleaning and polishing mine but it looked dull. Painting them is really not to difficult. After removing the tape you can lightly touch up the aluminum from any over spray with a razor blade. Just go slow.

[jwhelan65]

I like the SUZUKI in yellow on that wheel. Nice touch.

cheap little decal off fleabay..

[jwhelan65]

Hey that looks like my wheel(s) ... I had to use three different types of sanding cloth on mine, the aluimum was in very BAD condition. I forget what the grit was but the cloth that worked well to get the first layer off was the same stuff you use for prepping copper pipe for HVAC.. It is a mesh cloth with poures holes in it. Don't mind the spelling.. Then Real fine 00 steel wool with mothers.

Brushed on Rust-olem Gloss/semi black. I did it in way to cold temps and will re-do this year.

Im diggin that gold caliper...Did you brush or spay it?

[jadesystem]

Nice job on the wheels. In fact, professional all the way. You can also
use petroleum jelly aka Vaseline to mask the areas you want covered.
Then wipe off when it dries. It saves the headache of using masking
tape.

[bell]

just a thought on the aluminum.....if the wheels are anodized you need to remove the anodization before any polishing can happen, to do this use "easy off oven cleaner" with the yellow cap, i did this on a set of fuchs (car wheels), you spray it on, then let it sit for about 15 minutes, hose off.....repeat.....hose off, after 2 apps the anodization will be removed and start sanding working your way up to 1200 grit (wet sanding with the fine stuff works good) then use a metal polish and the aluminum will sparkle.

WARNING!!!! this requires TONS of elbow grease and the oven cleaner will make the aluminum look horrible until it's sanded....also it's pretty nasty stuff so wear gloves.....

this is all based on if the suzuki wheels are anodized......i have no idea if they are or not, just sharing firsthand knowledge

[TheCafeKid]

I actually have fallen in love with using 4-1000 grit paper on stuff like that, then attacking it with a tight nap and loose nap polishing wheel on a air powered D/A or grinder. My SuperTrapp was pretty F-ed up from age and weather. But some sanding and then power polishing with white alu oxide rouge. you could shave out of it now.

[bell]

yep, the key is heat when you are in the final polishing stages, which is where/why power comes it handy......
here's one of my wheels (i know it's not for a bike but it's still aluminum)
i went from the 100 grit up to 1000 started wetting at 600, then finished it up with 2 stages of wenol polish with a buffer on my drill
i'm looking forward to doing the same to my 750 engine soon