I think its time to re paint my face of my wheels. they are currently flat black. theres alot of scratches and chipping from the lug nuts coming off and going on. Also it looks like certain spots have just worn off from washing. After i had my new centercaps put on, it really made the wheels look faded. so im planning on re spraying the face myself. Im just using a flat black from a spray can. i figure it save me some money and i can do this whenever they need touched up again. so.....what kind of prep work should i do to the wheel before i spray the new paint on? im really hoping i dont need to sand them down. so does anyone have any advice on a cleaner or prep materials i need to get for this?

 

You won't like my answer. I have a close friend who is a veteran custom body shop owner.
http://jimtechinc.com/

Jim tells me that "anyone can pull a trigger on a spray gun, but the work is in the prep. If you don't prep correctly, it won't turn out right".

I'd definitely have someone in a shop do it or definitely sand them down so they turn out right.

 

sand em down really meticulously or get em chemical washed to get rid of the current paint (depending on wheel material ie..alloy or aluminum) . Smooth it out as much as possible from the fearsome 400 grit - 1000 grit..apply primer, base paint, clear... my setup has always been 2 coats primer, 4-6 coats paint,2-4 coats clear..and that usually does it for a few years..I usually spend a few days up to a couple of weeks with prep alone to get er done correctly..

 

no clear needed with flat black. its already mixed in.
i know the prep is the key,so being that the wheels are already flat black and really not that bad except in the holes where the lugs go, can i use a red scotch pad or should i use sand paper?
i was thinking maybe 3 coats of flat black.
theres no need for a final polish and buff either. its just flat black.