Wheel Paint?

[Nessism]

The paint on my 1000S wheels has seen better days. The wheels are a semi gloss charcoal gray color and I’m not sure if there is metallic in it – does anyone know? Considering the harsh environment wheels are subject to, does anyone have any recommendations of a good paint? Some paint similar to the Por-15 stuff would be ideal. Sending out for powder coat is second choice but not eliminated at this point.

[Agemax]

i would go for the powder coat option. they can pretty much do any colour you like nowadays and is much more durable than any paint i know of.

[nvr2old]

I went to have an estimate on powder coating my wheels, too. It turned out to be a little more pricey then I thought..about $150 for both. It would also mean pulling out all the internals because I was told by the people doing it that the oven would ruin the bearings and seals. If all that stuff needs to be replaced anyway, then sure, but I wasn't willing to press out the perfectly good ones just to powder coat, so I went with paint. The same Duplicolor engine enamel I used for my motor was what I used for my wheels. The grey you're looking for might be Duplicolor's "Cast Iron". Very close to original.

[hampshirehog]

Plus one on the powder coat option - waaay tougher than paint for wheels.

[Nessism]

The factory paint held up well and it wasn't powder coat. There must be a suitable paint I can buy that will be reasonably durable.

[hampshirehog]

Ed - for what it's worth, Vauxhall Charcoal Grey is as exact a colour match that you'll find. I don't know if you've got it over there but Vauxhall is a British car manufacturer bought out by GM back in the 70's.

That colour was used in the mid 80s on the bottom half of their 2 tone sports saloons (I use the term 'sports' in its vaguest sense) and I used it as touch up paint for my wheels back then and you 'couldn't see the join'.

Of course I'm assuming GS1000SN colours - you could go ST and have the gold paint (some of our SNs had gold wheels and looked very nice too).

[Agemax]

The factory paint held up well and it wasn't powder coat. There must be a suitable paint I can buy that will be reasonably durable.

factory paint is a lot better than anything you can buy over the counter, it has to be to avoid too many warranty claims for flaking paint

[nvr2old]

As with any paint, prep is the key. The only problem I foresee on my solid black wheels may be when it comes time to change the tires. It might scuff the very edges, but with black it's so easily touched up. I have painted wheels on three of my bikes, and they've all held up beautifully over the course of three years of riding, with no chips or flaking at all. With just painting the spokes and centers, you shouldn't have to worry. Clean and scuff em really well, and there shouldn't be any problems. A red 3M Scotchbrite pad will take care of the textured surface these wheels have. Way cheaper than powder coating.

[Nessism]

Ed - for what it's worth, Vauxhall Charcoal Grey is as exact a colour match that you'll find. I don't know if you've got it over there but Vauxhall is a British car manufacturer bought out by GM back in the 70's.

That colour was used in the mid 80s on the bottom half of their 2 tone sports saloons (I use the term 'sports' in its vaguest sense) and I used it as touch up paint for my wheels back then and you 'couldn't see the join'.

Of course I'm assuming GS1000SN colours - you could go ST and have the gold paint (some of our SNs had gold wheels and looked very nice too).

So was that Vauxhall paint metallic?

My ST has gray wheels. When I bought the bike it had a 17" on the back which I don't think was original, so I picked up an 18 off ebay.

I have some POR-15 Chassis Black, and some POR-15 aluminum Engine paint - thinking about mixing the two to make dark gray metallic. POR-15 said that mixing sometimes doesn’t work well but I may try anyway.

[jwhelan65]

Ed,

I used Dupli-color engine enamel on mine, I believe someone here on the forum recommened it two me.

[hampshirehog]

So was that Vauxhall paint metallic?.

Yes

My ST has gray wheels. When I bought the bike it had a 17" on the back which I don't think was original, so I picked up an 18 off ebay.

The UK STs all had gold wheels - new one for sale on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/nos-suzuki-gs1000-front-wheel_W0QQitemZ370226194945QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item5633336a01&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A4%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A200

[Tom MLC]

Ed, I've said this here before. Got a bit of mild criticism for taking the cheap way out, too.



I did my wheels with regular rattle can enamel. Baked them in my wifes oven for awhile. I didn't think about the bearings and such. But it seems like there was no harm done. These wheels have held up to many miles of road grime and chain goop. They always clean up well. No chips, no flakes, no worries. I'm into the 3rd year now.

As someone said, preparation is the key to good results.


I have since heard that Duplicolor, or better yet VHT caliper paint would have been a better choice. But really, I have no regrets.

And I'm not knocking anyone who takes a more extensive effort on their wheels. I envy your patience.

[salty_monk]

I have PJ15 Fast black on my skunks front wheel (as a test to see how it would hold up...) so far so good.

Any prep you do will be more thorough than mine as I know how you work so you should be fine!

Dan

[Richharr]

autozone by me has high-heat rim and caliper paint. it works great, I painted my wrangler rims a couple of years ago and they still look good for the north east

[renobruce]

Ed,

I used Dupli-color engine enamel on mine, I believe someone here on the forum recommened it two me.

It might have been me as that's what I used. I stripped, etch primed, and painted. Mine are holding up perfectly.

If I do it again, I will be using VHT brake and caliper paint. I've been using that on carbs and it is pretty tough stuff....better at resisting chemicals than the Duplicolor stuff.

BUT, if cost is not an issue, you can't go wrong with powdercoating.