Painting Rims

What would be the preferred method, painting rims before or after mounting tires?

I have 5 new primed rims that I’m painting to match the body color and I’m concerned with marking up the paint while mounting the tires.

What would the best paint to use on rims? Powder coat? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Paint before Chuck, if they're really careful they can remount the tires and not screw up the paint. If your gonna paint the body color I'd use that paint with hardener. I like to paint so they can set a while before they are handled though.

 

I'm still undecided about paint or powder. The one drawback I hear about powder is whether or not it will be sufficiently coated in the gap between wheel center and rim. (stock wheels) Cost-wise, it might be a toss-up from the ballpark quotes I got over the phone.

No matter what, finish first, then get rollin' last!! You couldn't possibly paint well between tire and rim after mounting, and you sure ain't gonna stick tires in the oven after coating.

 

I then think you would be a little surprised seeing some of the mounted rims I have painted. I use a piece of sheet metal about foot wide and long enough to rap around the rim then secure it with a C- clamp, after touch up the edges.

I will paint with hardener before mounting the tire. Thanks for all the good advice.

 

I understand that part; sorry, I thought that was what you trying to avoid.

 

Stu Call Les Scwaub they have a Powder coating service that last time I checked was quite reasonable. with only a couple of days turn around.

 

Couple places here doing powder. Will check local Les Schwab, thanks.

 

Just to let you know it cost me 35$ per rim. I thought that was reasonable because they Sandblasted and Powdercoated the whole thing inside and out. They turned out nice. I mounted them myself with a buddies old tire machine and I just wrapped a red rag around the end of that thingamigee bar. Very aggravating but worked.

 

Last time I painted rims I made up a jig to hold the rim off the floor or bench. Use an old axle or hub assy and mount it on a stand, if possible at a slight angle. As you paint you can spin the wheel and ensure adequate coverage to all the nooks and crannies and if you get a minor run, just spin the wheel and let it flow out. Paint your backside first so you cover the overspray when you paint the front side. Any overspray from the front will be on the back side where you can rub it off or leave it. HTH