Okay Guys I got my wheels but I want to paint parts of them and they are chrome. Does anyone know about painting chrome rims? I know you have to sand them but how much? Down to under chrome or just to rough up? Is there special primer? Special paint too or is the primer only special? Will they chip? Do you clear coat them? I want to paint only certain areas white but I want to do it right, with the right materials and procedure so it will lokk right and not chip.

 

The best way to do this is with media blasting - you need all the chrome off so the paint can stick. I've got some buddies over on SUV World who have done this. It's definitely a bit of an art form when you're only removing some of the chrome.

Once prepped, the paint process is no different than on a body panel - primer, color, & clear...with the appropriate sanding in between.

Here are a couple of shots...

 

That looks pretty decent. I wonder if it would be possible to remove the chrome where you want it and then have it powder coated. Not sure if the powder coating process would damage the chrome that you want to keep on the wheel though. It would be more durable than just painting it

 

Why is powder coating more durable? And shouldn't all the paints be heat resistant since thw wheels get so hot?

 

Powder coating is baked onto the surface, so it is stronger than just paint. Watch OCC and alot of the stuff they do they powder coat, like the wheels, because it is stronger than just paint. What Im not sure about is if the heating process to cure the powdercoating will discolor the chrome of your wheels. The best bet would be to find a good powder coater in your area and ask them. If it can be done Im sure they have done it. Also not sure on how crazy they can get with the colors

 

check out this link, it will answer some questions. It says it is very tough and abrasion resistant, and the colors are almost limitless.

http://www.finishing.com/Library/pennisi/powder.html