Alloy wheel refurb - metallic paint nibs

[Rabs]

Hi,

I have just finished laying base coat on some alloys that I am refurbing. I have a few tiny nibs of dust in my base coat.

I am use a 2k Mipa Matt clear coat. As I am not able to polish the clear what is the best method to remove these tiny particles?

Pictures below





Am I best to just put up with them as metallic paint?

This is my first attemp at spraying and have been using info of here to get this far. They are not perfect but not bad for a first attempt. Thinking that Matt clear might be a bit of a challenge for first attempt

Cheers

 

[richie00boy]

They are tiny. You could flat them and spot some base over, but doing that is likely to create worse issues especially for a novice.

Matt clear will be a challenge, give it a go though as you may get lucky.

You need the clear on within a few hours anyway so don't sit around waiting for answers!

 

[steveo3002]

all you can do is flat them and more basecoat

why the matt clear ? will just look like a rattle can job

 

[Rabs]

all you can do is flat them and more basecoat

why the matt clear ? will just look like a rattle can job

Decided to just paint them. Just completed the second coat. They are a one piece wheel with a polished rim, so wanted to go for the matte look like new Porsche wheels have with polished lip. It's a set of Porsche speed line replicas.

The alloy had gone all cloudy and the cost to refurb them as polished lip meant it was worth trying as a project.

The nibs don't seem to be a major issue once clear is on.

Will post photos once fully dry.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

De-nibber, aka "run razor", from Frost Auto Restorations

http://www.frost.co.uk/search/?q=run+razor

Although I'm probably too late - did post this earlier but post disappeared or clashed with someone else's reply.........

 

[711jrp]

Once they'd been on the car a couple of days you'd be hard to spot them....my vote's leave em.

 

[Rabs]

Thanks for the help. Went with 3 coats of matte clear. Here are the results after 45 minutes drying. Expect that the sheen will drop as the matte comes to the top in drying process.

The nibs were less visible once clear was on.





Still need to finish polishing the lips but getting there slowly.

 

[Rabs]

Picture after drying over night

 

[Rabs]

Polished the rim. Overall I'm pretty happy. It would have cost me over 500 to have refurbed because of polished rim and a new set is only 1000. It didn't make sense financially to do it. They are not perfect by any means but Ive learnt how to polish alloy and how to paint with a spray gun. To be honest that was worth it in itself.

 

[anto]

Im in the middle of doing a set of BMW MV1s which have been a complete balls to sand down

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Im in the middle of doing a set of BMW MV1s which have been a complete balls to sand down

Presumably because of the wheel style, i.e. number and spacing of the spokes? Or do you mean the surface finish? Have they previously bee powder-coated?

 

[anto]

Presumably because of the wheel style, i.e. number and spacing of the spokes? Or do you mean the surface finish? Have they previously bee powder-coated?

Factory finish so im not sure if its powder coated or not, I reckon probably just painted.
Its more to do with the shape, intricate spokes and lots of them!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I reckon probably just painted.

Aye, factory will be painted.

I used to have style 32s on my e39 (like so.....

and they were difficult enough to keep clean so you have my sympathy.

 

[Rabs]

Yes the sanding is the major ball ache. I used paint stripper, flap discs and sand paper. It took hours and hours and these are not that detailed wheels. Found a place that would sandblast them for £30 a wheel in hindsight that would have been worth it as the finish still wasnt perfect.

 

[anto]

Aye, factory will be painted.

I used to have style 32s on my e39 (like so.....

and they were difficult enough to keep clean so you have my sympathy.

Lovely wheels they would be perfect on my E46!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Lovely wheels they would be perfect on my E46!

Thanks - they did look good on the car, but be aware if you're ever tempted to change to check the model they come off - 5 series e39s have a larger centre bore so spigot rings would be needed to fit your e46. Remember offset might be at odds too......