Painting wheels...before or after tires?

[ktaylor660]

So my TL wheels will be here on tomorrow. I'm going to be painting them with plastidip to get the color I want. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and paint them or wait until I have them mounted on the tires. I have read about pros and cons of both ways, but wanted to see what you all thought.

[drew12000]

Plastidip can be easily pulled off correct? If you dip them before, you risk the chance of it peeling when the tires are mounted. Just do it after.

[ktaylor660]

Good point. I'll just wait. Gives me more time to get my other goodies on this weekend.

[deevergote]

Just be careful when taping around the edge of the wheel, and it'll come out looking good.

[ktaylor660]

I was planning on index cards around the wheel, and taping off the valve stem.

[gainesvilleCB7]

index cards and some painters tape will be your best bet, especially with plati dip because the tire mounting machine will tear off the platsi dip

[mitsubishiv5]

If its not powder coated the paint will chip or peel regardless. Do it after tires

[Mishakol129]

I have some prelude rims that I stripped the clearcoat off since it was already peeling. I also polished the wheels and they look nice and shiiny now. I know its not going to work to repaint them with clearcoat as that will peel off. What will be the best way to protect them from rocks, dirt and whatnot?

[STOCKa6]

For the polished rims, perhaps an automotive accessory store can apply that clear film like they put on the front edges of hoods and doors to protect from chips. I find that just putting carnuba wax on the rims protects that polished surface from dirt and small chips and scratches, the same it protects your paint.

[westcoast_cb7]

Why bother painting stock wheels? Keep em original.

[JixCer]

Why bother painting stock wheels? Keep em original.

Thats like saying why mod a stock car.. haha

Good call on the clear vinyl. never thought about using that on wheels.. if it helps protect the paint,I dont see why I wouldnt work on wheels

[Odogg427]

I would like to polish my cl wheels but its hard to get in those nooks and crannies even with proper tools

[mugencivic4dr]

I was planning on index cards around the wheel, and taping off the valve stem.

if you're going to plasti dip the wheels then you really dont need to tape at all since you can just peel off what you dont want/over spray

[qtipvenom]

I would like to polish my cl wheels but its hard to get in those nooks and crannies even with proper tools

I had the same issue when trying to polish my wheels, the best method I found for me was some Never-Dull wrapped around the tip of a toothbrush to reach those hard to get to spots.

[faqncb7]

I have some prelude rims that I stripped the clearcoat off since it was already peeling. I also polished the wheels and they look nice and shiiny now. I know its not going to work to repaint them with clearcoat as that will peel off. What will be the best way to protect them from rocks, dirt and whatnot?

They make a clear plastidip I believe its on www.dipyourcar.com