Painting wheels?

I'm getting around to the point on the project bike where I need to get the manky wheels painted.

I'm looking at powder coating but I'd rather not have to take out the wheel bearings etc. so...

Has anyone used one of those man-in-a-van wheel refurbishers?

Any other tips? Whatever I use it will need to put up with tyre fitting abuse.

Thanks,

Mark

I painted mine with Tough Black aerosol paint after rubbing back then masking off bearings and disc mount surfaces. Still looks fine three years later.

Originally Posted by Blueperson

I painted mine with Tough Black aerosol paint after rubbing back then masking off bearings and disc mount surfaces. Still looks fine three years later.

I think I might have a go at that. Thanks for the reply, it hadn't even crossed my mind to try!

Even if it screws up I've only lost a few quid on a rattle can of paint.

Thanks,

Mark

[Nobbylad]

I stripped mine down to bare metal then tried priming and hammeriting - for some reason it wouldn't stick and the finish was awful. £20 later I'd had it powder coated and put new bearings in (that were overdue replacing anyway).

[maviczap]

I have a pair that's powder coated, which look very nice, but it chips easily on the edges.

I was going to have a pair painted by a local paint shop, as it doesn't require removing the bearings.

See if your local paint shop will do it, as the results will be better than rattle can, which I've also done to a pair of wheels.

Rattle can is ok, but not as good as a paint shop.

Originally Posted by Nobbylad

I stripped mine down to bare metal then tried priming and hammeriting - for some reason it wouldn't stick and the finish was awful. £20 later I'd had it powder coated and put new bearings in (that were overdue replacing anyway).

I used smoothrite on mine and got quite a nice finish! I took mine down to bare metal also. Did you use 'etch' primer before normal primer? If not that would explain it not sticking properly.Mine need repainting now from all the tyre changes done by hand for racing and trackdays. Think ill just do edge of rim then cover join with rim tape