painting my wheels, but have q's...

[Daytona_83]

I'm painting a set of 17" wheels for my '83 Trans Am and I wanted to try out the DupliColor white wheel paint and clearcoat, but I have a few questions...

1. I've read that to fully cure, the wheel paint has to be on the wheel and driven and get hot. Well I'm wanting the wheels to be white, and I honestly have some really dusty brake pads (I eventually am doing a full brake job). Would the brake dust ruin the paint while curing?

2. I've never tried the DupliColor's wheel clearcoat, but I've tried the engine enamel clearcoat and I was very impressed on the gloss level of it! Would it be fine to use the engine enamel clear over the wheel paint? Or is the wheel clear the same gloss level?

3. I'm painting the wheels with the tires off and will not be installing the tires until I get the transmission fixed, which will be at least a few weeks (car is on jackstands). Would the paint/clear be fully cured in a few weeks without being heated by the brakes?

4. I'm possibly thinking of doing a red pinstripe around the outer edge of the wheels with a pre-made decal. Can I clearcoat over the pinstripe decal?

[Daytona_83]

Also, would it work to cure them if I put the wheels under a heat lamp of some sort? What temp to they cure at? And how long should they be under the lamps for?

[Dupli-Color-Specialist]

1. I've read that to fully cure, the wheel paint has to be on the wheel and driven and get hot. Well I'm wanting the wheels to be white, and I honestly have some really dusty brake pads (I eventually am doing a full brake job). Would the brake dust ruin the paint while curing?

A: The dust from the brake pads will not hurt the paint. Just don't use an aggressive cleaner on fresh paint. Just use a car wash soap and water.

2. I've never tried the DupliColor's wheel clearcoat, but I've tried the engine enamel clearcoat and I was very impressed on the gloss level of it! Would it be fine to use the engine enamel clear over the wheel paint? Or is the wheel clear the same gloss level?

A: You can use the engine clear with out any issues. The gloss levels are the same as well but use what you are most comfortable with.

3. I'm painting the wheels with the tires off and will not be installing the tires until I get the transmission fixed, which will be at least a few weeks (car is on jackstands). Would the paint/clear be fully cured in a few weeks without being heated by the brakes?

A: The paint will be dry but not cured. You will be able to handle the wheels and mount the tires but it will not be as durable as if it was cured. You will be fine. Just make sure to have the tire shop use a machine that doesn't contact the rims.

4. I'm possibly thinking of doing a red pinstripe around the outer edge of the wheels with a pre-made decal. Can I clearcoat over the pinstripe decal?

A: Yes you can clear over the decal.

5. Also, would it work to cure them if I put the wheels under a heat lamp of some sort? What temp to they cure at? And how long should they be under the lamps for?

A: You can use a heat lamp or just set them out in the sun for the days you car is on jack stands. Don't set the heat lamp so close you disrupt the paint. I am not sure what type of lamp you will be using but some professional lamps get VERY hot.

As long as you let the paint dry for a few days in the sun then curing will not be an issue once the tires are mounted.

[Daytona_83]

Alright, thanks for the quick answers! Could I cure them in an automotive paint booth? My friend said I can give him the wheels and he'd throw them in a booth when a car is being baked. Would that work for curing the paint as well? The weather lately has been hit-n-miss...its been hot and sunny quite a bit, but out of nowhere, rain clouds come in and mess it up...and I'd rather not get caught with the wheels outside in the rain!

[Dupli-Color-Specialist]

Alright, thanks for the quick answers! Could I cure them in an automotive paint booth? My friend said I can give him the wheels and he'd throw them in a booth when a car is being baked. Would that work for curing the paint as well? The weather lately has been hit-n-miss...its been hot and sunny quite a bit, but out of nowhere, rain clouds come in and mess it up...and I'd rather not get caught with the wheels outside in the rain!

Yeah a paint booth would be perfect for initial curing.