Suggestions for clearcoat on bead blasted wheels?

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VertigoGTI

New member
Just got my G35 wheels stripped and bead blasted I didn't like the silver/clear over black base, looked kind of plasticy to me and the silver/clear finish is weak. The top coat had some major scratches and etching due to some super concentrated wheel cleaner from the PO. Needless to say, I gladly picked them up for $100 and sunk $120 into the stripping/bead blasting.



They look perfect now and the texture on them is great. However, I've been trying to think of ways to clearcoat them. Duplicolor probably won't stick to this too well since the grit work of the wheels may be too fine. Couple that with a lack of primer and I'm sure that stones will easily chip/crack a rattle can clearcoat.



Powdercoating isn't an option either as these will be my track wheels. The shot peening on the spokes relieved the tensile stress, which is what I want. Anyone who knows anything about metallurgy will know that the heat of powedrcoat curing will remove all the benefits of of the peening and I want to avoid that.



I've heard about this product from POR-15 called Glisten PC and it sounds promising. It's a two part clearcoat that can be sprayed on, but the wheels need a total of 4 days to cure. Not too bad, but I don't have a paint pooth readily available.



Anyone know any other options? Pics for views...



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There was a recent thread where somebody mentioned a (true) two-part epoxy paint that comes in rattlecans. I can't remember the details but it's supposedly a whole lot better than the usual clearcoat-for-wheels stuff. Maybe your search-fu can find it.
 
I *think* the SprayMax stuff is it. If it's *not* it, you're at least on the right track. That "process to activate" is the key that it's the kind of stuff you're after.



The Wurth paint is *NOT* what I was referring to (much as I generally like Wurth stuff, that's not what I'd use).
 
Just sent US Chem an email about SprayMax to see if they'd recommend it on a bare bead-blasted surface. Hope it is; the price is well within my budget.
 
VertigoGTI said:
Just sent US Chem an email about SprayMax to see if they'd recommend it on a bare bead-blasted surface. Hope it is; the price is well within my budget.
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Ah, so you're gonna shoot it over *bare* metal huh? I missed that earlier..it'll be interesting to hear what they say. I was thinking of using it over a basecoat.
 
Yeah, that's the trick. Otherwise, I'd just prime and paint them at work because the cure time isn't too bad. We don't have a 'true' paint booth because most of our what we paint are outdoor structural beams and they're never glossy. So the owner never ponied up the cash for a real booth and curing area.



The cure time for Glisten PC is LONG. Wheels cannot be touched for 4 days and IR and heat do not speed up curing time. Too much dust would get on them at work.



US Chem didn't think that it'd work well on a bead-blasted surface, so I think I'm just gonna give Glisten a shot.
 
VertigoGTI said:
US Chem didn't think that it'd work well on a bead-blasted surface, so I think I'm just gonna give Glisten a shot.
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Better figure out a way to keep 'em covered...stock up on plastic sheeting :D
 
Hehehe, they're in trash bags for the moment until I get the Glisten PC. I built a rack for my old GTi and S4 wheels when I painted them; really easy to hit the faces and inner barrels with it. Looks like I'll be taking the rack to the painter to have him use it on these.
 
VertigoGTI said:
..Looks like I'll be taking the rack to the painter to have him use it on these.
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Eh...riddle me this: if you're taking them to a painter, why not have *him* get some conventional paint and put the responsibility all on him?



Heh heh, not that I think the Glisten PC is bad or anything, I'm just, uhm...stirring the pot ;)
 
Because he's used it before and said that it's actually some pretty good stuff. I've cleared machined wheels with automotive clearcoat and it's just destined to split, chip or just flat out let go.
 
VertigoGTI said:
Because he's used it before and said that it's actually some pretty good stuff...
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OK, good answer :D



I've cleared machined wheels with automotive clearcoat and it's just destined to split, chip or just flat out let go.
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I've done OK on some bare metals with a product called Nylac (?sp?) but I wouldn't use it on wheels. I bet you're gonna be happy with the Glisten.
 
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