11 replies to this topic

[lewBlew]

I've got some Rover Minilites to do a DIY refurb on. I wonder if anyone can recommend any brands of spray cans which I can get off Ebay or wherever? I need:

Primer (not rubbing down to bare metal)
Silver paint - heard Autoglim is good. Is it?
Clear lacquer

I don't want to go down the Halfords route because they are so expensive and not sure their stuff is the best.

There's loads of paint on Ebay for about £1.50 a can. This is probably rubbish?

[Artful Dodger]

The BEST way to restore wheels is to get them all sandblasted. Using someone who does know what they are on about and uses a very fine grade and you can get some good results. It's best because you can see if there are any minute cracks in the wheel that was hidden by paint.

After blasting, undercoat them. The best would obviously be standox primer out of a spray gun, but that is normally out of reach of the DIYer. You could get a couple of cans of 3M primer or U-POL primer. Both in rattle cans and Equally as good. Put it on in light layers, but as many as possible so the paints nice and thick

After that, some wet and dry paper, using water with a bit of fairy washing up liquid ( minute amount) rub the whole if the wheel down until lovely and smooth. Being careful to not rub through the primer. the reson to putting primer on thick is so you can rub It down without risk of running through it.

After, rinse with water, dry and then clean with de-greaser. Then you are ready for top coat. Using some good (but expensive stuff) paint you will get good results. Don't buy from eBay (unless it's good stuff like U-POL Or 3M.) or halfords etc. put it on light, so you don't get any runs. Wait for it to dry, if possible in a propper sprayers oven, but if not the a dry, warm, dust FREE environment. Then Lacquer. Don't know where you can get it from but try to make sure it's good stuff. When on leave to harden. Leave as long as possible. Then, if there are any imperfections, you can get some very fine grade wet + dry (1800, 2000 grit) rub down area of imperfection. Don't go through lacquer! When this is done it will leave a dull area, this will shine up after some polishing with some propper polishing compound:)

Edited by Artful Dodger, 10 October 2012 - 01:05 PM.

[lewBlew]

Thanks for the info. For degreasing I've used surface cleaner in a can.before, however this often takes off the primer/paint depending at what stage I'm doing it. Do you know any alternative?

Also, sadly sandblasting is beyond my budget - I'm aiming for no more than 50 quid for this job!

[Artful Dodger]

As long as the paint is dry then any proper bodywork specific degreaser should work done without stripping paint. Will be on any paint suppliers websites.

Do you know anyone with a sandblasting cabinet in their garage? Any old sandblaster will do the trick:P. if not then get going with the paint stripper:P

[lewBlew]

Unfortunately I don't! I'll have to see how I get on... I really fancy just having a go myself and if it needs re-doing in a year or two so be it

Anyway, so what do you think of this shopping list..

U-POL high build primer (costs just the same on Ebay as it does in Halfords, typical! Except they just do beige?!)
Autoglim wheel silver
U-POL Power Can Aerosol Clearcoat Lacquer

Two cans of each should be enough for Minilites hopefully

[Artful Dodger]

Sounds good, mostly What I use, just in a gun! The high build is very good, I mean absolutely Awsome. Colour doesn't matter for primer:P

And yes, 2 of each should be ok!

Edited by Artful Dodger, 10 October 2012 - 02:11 PM.

[lewBlew]

If you say so. Can't wait to see how this turns out!

[Artful Dodger]

Good luck!

[lewBlew]

Here's an update on this. They're looking pretty good

How I got them:

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Sanded and primed:

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First coat of colour:

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Lacquered today!

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They are by no means perfect but stand two feet away and they darn look it. Not bad for a £50 DIY jobbie

Photos of them on the car to follow on my signature thread when it's finished!!

Edited by lewBlew, 26 October 2015 - 11:09 AM.

[Artful Dodger]

Look very nice! That there is a proper job!

[lewBlew]

Thanks :) Took me hours and hours and hours but they look nice. One bit where the lacquer ran a bit but I'm over it!

[lewBlew]

Just realised one of these is the wrong type, as it's an RSP one with the holes in line with the spokes. So I'm going to paint another and use that one as a spare

Edited by lewBlew, 10 November 2012 - 09:43 AM.