| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,081 Posts1,055,959 Members48,430 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 355 Member | | Member Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 355 | Hi guys,
I sent two of my original 16" rims out to be sandblasted. Got them back today and they look great. I intended to paint them ASAP.
However . . . my Dad said I could only paint the flat sides, since any imperfections in the paint could interfere with holding a bead down the road. (Personally, I think rust would be a huge imperfection, but that's just me.) Not wanting to have an intense family discussion at dinner, I thought I'd ask you all.
Can I paint my whole rim? It seems crazy not to. Also, on page 152 of the 1st edition of Tom Brownell's book, the rims certainly appear to be painted on all aspects.
Any advice is appreciated. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | you sure can - they powder coat nicely too once they're sandblasted - the bead surface will normally be one of the smoother parts of a rim, and any "imperfections" in the paint there will be less than sandblasted w/ no paint - just tell dad thanks for the advice  Bill | | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 543 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 543 | Problem with powder-coating is finding a good powder-coating shop!!! I've had wheels done by three different shops (from 13"x4" Metro wheels to 16.5" Ford 3/4-ton 8-lugs to a brand-new NOS Chevy wheel), and the powder coating looked great on the finished product, that is, until you actually USED the wheels on the street!!! The wheels started to rust in the seam where the wheel center and the wheel rim meet on EVERY ONE, after only three-four months, on average!!! I've NEVER had that problem on a painted wheel!
I'll stick to painting when it comes to wheels!!!
Pessimist - Sees glass as half-empty. Optimist - Sees glass as half-full. Gov't- Sees glass and takes it from you because you have a glass.
Political Correctness: A philosophical belief system bereft of common sense and logic, that supports and rewards ignorance and stupidity.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 221 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 221 | Paint the whole wheel. Dupli Color makes a self etching spray primer that will stick to anything it should be available at Oriellys. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 355 Member | | Member Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 355 | Great. Thanks for all the advice guys! | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 709 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2001 Posts: 709 | Yup Kim dad loses this one. Paint the entire wheel.
Bruce
Old Toy: Ol' Betsy stock 59 Apache SB Stepside (Gone but not Forgotten)
New Toy: 1962 Impala SS Coupe
The Driver: 1990 Toyota truck
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 637 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 637 | Kim, I had wheels sandblasted and painted the entire wheel with great results. Especially on the drop center area, the paint makes a good sealing surface for the bead. I ran Indy style tires and wore them out never having any trouble.
I have Mclean wire wheels on my 1932 Chev. pickup and even on chrome surface never any problems with the bead sealing. | | |
|
|
| |
