[tagjet]

Has anyone repainted their styled steel wheels? I bought the correct charcoal color. Just wondered if I need to primer? Do they look okay or should I just buy repo's?

 

[mishalah]

Yup. Had my '66 wheels rechromed and the idiots also did the rim. So, we repainted not only the centers in argent, but the black for the rest. It's a PITA and very time-consuming, but if you want to keep your originals it's the only way. The surface prep and taping is critical...especially if you are spraying over chrome.

 

[Laurie_S]

I've repainted the wheelcovers on my coupe several times. You don't need primer, but you do need to spend a lot of time taping. It's easiest to tape and then trim the tape away as needed.

 

[yelostang]

If you're using lacquer to paint the wheels(style steel gray paint is lacquer) you DO need primer on a hard surface. Sand the area as best you can, a light coat of a gray self-etch primer, like Sems brand #3963 and then the paint. Lacquer does not adhere well on bare steel or an unsanded surface. The self-etch primer is also lacquer based, judging by smell. Have done several sets over the past 20 years and the process lasts. Using a coarse Scotchbrite will do it or 280-320 wet or dry paper

 

[Laurie_S]

I was painting over the existing paint after scuffing it. There really wasn't any bare metal other than light scratches and I didn't need primer in my case.