how to mask tires/ rims for repaint

  • Thread starter Thread starter d.
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d.

Well-known member
What are good tips to paint rims with tires mounted...just want to change color on 21" driver rims.
thanks for any ideas
 
Your best bet is to let the air out of the tires and then move the tire into the centre of the rim. This will give you some room to paint the edge of the rim. Then you'll have to mask up the tires and prep the rim.

John Poole
 
I would dismount them and do a good job overall and then when they are good and dry and hardened remount carefully. Painting wheels is painfull enough. I can't imagine doing them with tires mounted.

Larry Shepard
 
Vermins' wheels were painted with tires de-flated, using spray cans, with a quality nozzle & a clip on handle.
Most folks think they were powder coated. The big trick is nozzles that make a FAN spray pattern, NOT the nozzles that spray a FUNNEL spray pattern!
Bill Gloss
 
I have had good success using several different makes of rattle cans by carefully masking the tyres while still inflated. Use short, two inch or so, lengths of masking tape . It will slide down between rim and tyre enough to allow satisfactory painting of the rim edge. I mask and spray both sides. Do not forget to mask the valve.

If I am replacing the tyre, I have the wheel professionally de-rusted, stripped and primered, then use rattle cans for a finish coat.

I use the same technique on all my painted steel wheels, except the MG which has a fancy (Rostyle?) finish.

Looks as good as powder coat from six feet away and I never worry about the wheels getting chipped or otherwise damaged while driving on gravel roads.
 
Use index cards
 

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"Someone" makes a "masking" spray, washes off, with MILD soap & water. Something like the stuff that was sprayed on NEW whitewalls.
I've seen painters cut a hole in cardboard, SLIGHTLY smaller than the rim & "force" it under the wheel rim.
Bill W.
 
Last edited:
Why not remove the tires? It is not hard to do, and will make the painting so much easier. Also it will look much better
 
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