Home alloy refurb, cans or spray gun?

[GrahamS]

I've finally got a set of Turinis for the Clio. Currently they're silver, couple have paint flaking. I'm looking to spray them all anthracite and am considering 2 routes of home refurb.

I've got p38 and some Metalik filler for the curbing marks and can get all the sand paper I need.

Do I go down the route of using the air compressor and how easy/costly would this be. I don't have any spray gear for this so other than a water trap and cheapo gun what else is required? Not sure about what paint goes in the gun etc but have sprayed in a bodyshop previously.

Rattle cans are an option but I've always struggled to get decent coverage in the nooks and crannies. What would everyone recommend as I want to get this done as cheaply as possible with a semi decent finish?

 

[Knuckles]

Iirc b&q do a cheap battery powered spray gun.

2k paint (I think this refers to the colour and the setting agent mix) is what's used from what I've read.

 

[smac4494]

I've done a total of 9 sets of wheels in my time. 5 of which were spray can jobs, 4 were done the proper way. Honestly, the difference isn't that amazing unless you are going chrome. With cans you are looking a 2-3 cans of primer and the same for paint and finishing lacquer. With about 3 hours between each coat (in 18-30 degree conditions) you can have some decent looking wheels.

The waiting time is the same with a compressor and gun. But make sure you buy a decent metal gun (once you use it there's no returning it) plastic is a waste of money. The main benefit of a spray gun is that it puts out a constant cloud of paint rather than a burst or stream. This makes is easier to not screw up but by no means impossible. A decent gun would be £40 inc vat but the paint in liquid form would be cheaper than in cans. I usually buy cans from Halfords and liquid paint from import sites. The imports are more pricey but I guarantee a better anthracite from the US or japan or Germany.

another benefit of having a compressor and gun is you can offer a cheap wheel and panel spraying service to friends. Just don't be a dick and do full resprays on the curb.

 

[markclio]

I know your quite a way away. but the chap who did mine was brill.. and very reasonable...

 

[Problemchild75]

Some powder coasters will only charge £20 a wheel by the time you have bought the paint. It's cheaper to get them to do it and it will look better.

 

[GrahamS]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I was going to get them done at a powder coaters but want the centre caps to match which of course is a little more to ask and don't know if they would do repairs like the specialists. Am doing a test out with cans on a spare alloy in the garage so will report back on the results.

 

[clancy]

I refurbished my split rims with rattle cans, came up perfect finish although they needed a lot of lacquer

Only downside is the paint is brittle as hell, clip it on anything and you'll take a chip out. Put a few dings in the back of mine on the garage floor after they were done

So just bare that in mind, like I said finish is great but chip stupidly easy

 

[JCC]

Wait, save up if needs be, get them done properly. Putting filler on wheels is mental, professional places won't need to do that (unless they're absolutely fucked)

 

[Daniel]

Just get them powder coated. At £20 a wheel, you'll never beat that for VFM.

 

[Damon65]

doesnt matter what the method aslong as the preps good i have used both gun and rattle can i find it easier to apply with the gun especially when using metallics, streaking with rattle cans is common i think its to do with the spead of the paint imo. alot of people swear blind that power coating is no good because once it chips its game over i have not seen this myself only heard peoples opinions

 

[ScottL]

I done my 15in Dynamique alloys with a electric sander and halfords spray can and they came out looking alright