brushable paint for steel wheel rims

[xpress]

HI there. I don't want to spray with cans, any brushable alternative?

I want to paint the steel rims, and bumpers, maybe pick something up from halfords or homebase or B and Q. Also I will probably be going with black for the wheels, anything you can recommend? Thank you.

[AdrianC]

HI there. I don't want to spray with cans, any brushable alternative?

I want to paint the steel rims, and bumpers, maybe pick something up from halfords or homebase or B and Q. Also I will probably be going with black for the wheels, anything you can recommend? Thank you.

Just plain exterior-grade gloss. Seriously.

We did the rims & bumpers on the 4x4 2cv in Wickes own-brand pick-and-mix-shade (violent electric leprechaun, fwiw) exterior grade gloss. It stood up very well indeed, to the thick end of ten years of being bounced off trees and rocks. One of the 2cv vans was done in Dulux ("Moody Blue") before we bought it - again, over the course of a decade or so, it faded a bit, but came back with a good once-over, and was only peeling where it hadn't been prepped properly. We were half-way through re-doing it in Dulux pick-and-mix ("African Adventure") when it was passed on to a mate. Three years later, he's still using it half-painted, and it looks just fine.

You'd paint your steel garage door in it quite happily, wouldn't you?

Just prep it well. But you'll have to anyway, whatever paint you use.

[eatcustard]

Rustolium is better than gloss

[CovKid]

Whilst a devotee of Rustoleum, I used Smoothrite on my wheels as its a very tough coating. Wouldn't use it anywhere near bodywork though.

[xpress]

Cov, can you get smoothrite in homebase or where? Also was It brushable?

WHat did you use, black gloss?

And what is best for the bumpers?

Thanks!

[CovKid]

Black gloss yes and Smoothrite is just the 'smooth' version of Hammerite so you'll find it alongside. Most places do it - including DIY stores.

[AdrianC]

Smoothrite is just the 'smooth' version of Hammerite

Indeed. I've never been a fan of hammer**ite. Brittle, over-sensitive to surface prep, a _nightmare_ to clean-up after.

[CovKid]

Ditto, PM'd Xpress to say exactly that. The only things I've painted with it are the trolley jack and wheels. Its a tough paint but anyone who has ever had to deal with it years later on a VW will know what a pain it is.

[xpress]

changed my mind i want silver paint, similar to the oem t25 wheels, what do you guys recommend, preferable brushable!

[AdrianC]

changed my mind i want silver paint, similar to the oem t25 wheels, what do you guys recommend, preferable brushable!

The same answers apply to any colour...

[Plasticman]

As above^^^^^^ dont much like hammerite, it has its uses but not really for wheels, pancake air filters on american v8 yes but only when sprayed
mike

[xpress]

ok you've put me off hammerite lol. sounds dificult to work with, b&q do exterior grade gloss, might just go for that, will take a look at what they have.