Bigred95

I just bought a 98 XJ limited. It has the stock rims on it. I can't currently afford to upgrade the rims, but would would still like them to look nice. Currently the are pretty beat up. The clear coat is peeling in spots and they are starting to oxidize. I was just wondering if anyone has any recommendations as to what I should do with them to make them look better. I like the rims, just hate how they are beat up. Any info would be appreciated, thanks. Here's a picture of one

Scottacular

You could always sand them smooth and then paint them with a good wheel paint or a brake caliper paint.

Daven75

You could always look into powder coating.

armymedic120

Appliance epoxy works good. Hardens super hard wit a shiny gloss finish. Most places only sell it in black and white though

Bigred95

What kind of prep work would I have to do for this? And have you or anyone you know tried this?

armymedic120

Sand it to roughen it up a bit, like 100 or 120 grit, then prime, either sand able primer or self etching, then light coats, don't try to do thick coats in one go, it will come out cleaner

Rev.LowBuck

I like Rustoleum Hammertone paint for this kind of job. Hammertone paint is the stuff you see on old school toolboxes and industrial equipment (and other stuff). As you spray it the paint sort of 'crazes' into a multi hue spider-webby thing and develops a bit of a texture, perfect for covering and filling the oxidation on your wheels. I've used four heavy coats on a rusty, flaky chrome bumper and it filled in the missing flakes good enough for my taste.
I use this stuff on wheels, bumpers, bike frames, whatever. I like it because you can't really screw it up and it sets up rock hard.
Hit your wheels with a power sprayer, rough scotchbrite pad, rub them down with some thinner and spray after the thinner has flashed off. Shoot the paint heavy to let it 'craze' and you're good to go. Home Depot has several colors, my fave is bronze which is really a dark grey.

peep

Wire Cone Brush on grinder or on elec drill will work also, you can pattern if you wish, rattle can wheel clear coat. One PO did the hideous gold but got the set of 4 for $50. Wired the surface and around edges, looked ok for me when finished. Can take about an hour per wheel. My 89 turbine style are current runners with flat black in between the spokes, good brushing with a stainless bristle 1st. The fancy swirls are for my daughters with gloss black letters and recesses. Black is by hand with small artist type brush, dollar store, throw brush away when done. Black is tremclad.

huntingman2706217

My wheels are aluminum as well... They used to have grey inbetween the spokes but i used aircraft paint remover on them... Then pressure washed... Then touch up bumps and scratches with steel wool... Then clear coated... Came out great!

That paint stripper will burn the crap out of you so if u pressure wash wear long sleeves... Pants... And I had to wear a griders face shield... Didnt at first and it got me... Lol

ABNcherokee

Sorry to pull an old thread. Ive got the same rims that are in similar condition. Is it possible to restore them instead of repaint? If so whats the process?

Kingfisher

I used to have alloy wheels sandblasted. Then I sprayed them with clear coat.

Tsaani97xj

In the early 90's we would take factory alloy/aluminum wheels have them glass beaded and polish them with mother's. Can clear them after to keep em looking good. Can paint accents before the clear. It is time consuming to restore wheels but gives a nice feeling of reward when done.

Anyone done anything like this to eccos? Curious what is under the factory coating.

Fred/N0AZZ

I doubt you will have those very long till you want better and larger wheels. A lot of places sell steel wheels like most off roaders use for $50-70 each Summit, Jegs. I bought a set of 5 15x8" Cragar Soft Eights for mine (black easy to touch up when scratched up) $68 each it think.

Just shoot your wheels with some Rustoleum black paint on them and call it good plus easy to touch up when needed also. I use it in a lot of places on mine because its so easy to fix problems from the trails and such.