Wheel Paint and Backspacing?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: VA
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Wheel Paint and Backspacing?
My XJ
Wheels I like
Recently acquired an 87 XJ with stock suspension but 15x8 D window wheels. I also have the stock turbine wheels. My plan is to eventually lift it 2-3 inches and run 31" tires. It is a pioneer edition with chrome bumpers and trim. I found this pic of the turbine wheels with black painted inside the windows or holes. I personally think this would look good on my jeep. I have two questions. 1, how much spacing would I need so I could run 31" without rubbing the LCA? 2, what's the best way to paint these aluminum wheels? Mine are kind of rough and are flaking in peeling in some spots. I'm not sure if it's paint or whatever the factory coated them with. I'll attach two pics, the blue XJ is mine and the other are the wheels I think would look good on mine.
Wheels I like
Recently acquired an 87 XJ with stock suspension but 15x8 D window wheels. I also have the stock turbine wheels. My plan is to eventually lift it 2-3 inches and run 31" tires. It is a pioneer edition with chrome bumpers and trim. I found this pic of the turbine wheels with black painted inside the windows or holes. I personally think this would look good on my jeep. I have two questions. 1, how much spacing would I need so I could run 31" without rubbing the LCA? 2, what's the best way to paint these aluminum wheels? Mine are kind of rough and are flaking in peeling in some spots. I'm not sure if it's paint or whatever the factory coated them with. I'll attach two pics, the blue XJ is mine and the other are the wheels I think would look good on mine.
#2
CF Veteran
With a 3" lift and 31s a 3.75" backspacing is good. You still may have to trim a little for it to not rub the fenders when flexing.
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: VA
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
That's what I was thinking. I wasn't sure if I could away with less or not. I believe the stock wheels are 5.25" and all the spacers I found are 1.5" so that'd work out perfect.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: VA
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Here's what I'm up against with the wheels. You an kind of see how they're 3 different colors. Some is still factory aluminum I guess, but in the windows there is two different colors. I'm not sure if I could sand the parts I want to paint. Or if should find someone to sandblast the whole wheel?
#6
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Newport News, VA
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 0
Received 38 Likes
on
37 Posts
Year: 96 & 88 4 dr Cherokees
Here's what I'm up against with the wheels. You an kind of see how they're 3 different colors. Some is still factory aluminum I guess, but in the windows there is two different colors. I'm not sure if I could sand the parts I want to paint. Or if should find someone to sandblast the whole wheel?
Get the wheels blasted (sand or soda), then tape the areas you do't want painted real good, and paint them. Then remove the tape, let the paint cure, and repaint the whole rim in a clear coat or sealer to help prevent the aluminum from oxidizing again.
Blasting them gives the paint a good even surface to adhere to.
#7
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Louisville,KY
Posts: 8,014
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
14 Posts
Model: Cherokee
The coating on them is a clear coat and it gets ugly when it ages.Find a local blaster or if you have a truck stop close with a chrome shop ask if they can strip the clear off rims.
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: VA
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Get the wheels blasted (sand or soda), then tape the areas you do't want painted real good, and paint them. Then remove the tape, let the paint cure, and repaint the whole rim in a clear coat or sealer to help prevent the aluminum from oxidizing again.
Blasting them gives the paint a good even surface to adhere to.
Blasting them gives the paint a good even surface to adhere to.
Also, is they're any type of paint stripper that wouldn't hurt the aluminum that you know of? I was thinking I could strip the old paint then sand what needed then be good to go.
#10
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: VA
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: VA
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Appreciate the offer. Got a quote today for $25 a wheel. Not sure what a good price is but that seems steep to me. Might be sticking with elbow grease for now.
#13
THE Admin
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lantana, Fl
Posts: 34,036
Received 231 Likes
on
187 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
3.5" lift in front, 4.5" in rear on turbines with 31" tires for your reference. I have RC X-flex control arms and no rubbing on them. (I have a spare transmission and 4cyl engine in bed in this pic)
Last edited by Outlaw Star; 09-29-2017 at 07:26 PM.