HOW TO: PAINT WHEELS

What you will need:
-dawn or other grease cutting soap
-TSP (optional)
-towel
-primer (enamel friendly)
-gloss black enamel
-clear gloss enamel
-electrical tape [preferred, other tapes work]
-220 grit wetsand paper
-1000 grit wetsand paper (optional but nice)
-container for water

STEP 1:
Wash down your wheels real good with the Dawn and a scrub brush, get all the nooks and crannies to make sure you get all the road grime and grease off.
Repeat with TSP if you have it.

STEP 2:
Rough the surface of the wheel with the 220 grit sand paper. Don't try to sand through the paint because that would take forever. Just give the paint something to stick to. Towel dry. The surface your painting should now all be dull.

STEP 3:
tape the wheel off. I used electrical tape because it stretches and curves, making the curve of the wheel really easy to get right. Take your time and make sure everything you don't want painted is covered up. If you have your tires on the wheels, which you most likely do (i didn't), cover them up with newspaper and tape it on so you don't get over spray on the tires.

STEP 4:
Shake up the primer can real good for about a minute and test spray it on the newspaper to make sure it's spraying correctly. Then proceed to prime the surface of the wheel. Use short strokes, releasing the button after each stroke and use light to medium coats.
Let dry and spray another coat on.

STEP 5:
Note: give it an hour before attempting this step.
This one is if you have the 1000 grit. Wet sand the primer with the 1000 grit so it's extra smooth and all dull. This will leave your base coat with less orange peel and slightly improve the look of the finished product.

STEP 6:
Spray on the base coat. Your first coat should be very light. You should be able to see primer through it.

Your second coat should pretty much cover up all the primer, and the following coats should just add a little more depth of color. Repeat for a total of 3-4 coats.

STEP 7:
Note: before attempting this step, you should allow the base coat to dry for 3-4 hours.
Use the same technique for putting on the clear coat, but i like to use medium coats as opposed to light on this because clear coat seems to be much shinier when it's applied in thicker coats.

Now let them dry overnight, put them on, stand back and admire.