Bandit Alley

GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MECHANICAL & TECHNICAL => Topic started by: GooseMan on June 27, 2007, 04:56:23 PM

Title: I want to strip/paint my wheels...
Post by: GooseMan on June 27, 2007, 04:56:23 PM
Hey all!

Does anyone have any good tips on stripping and painting my wheels? I have a 1991 Bandit 400, and I really dont like the white wheels...I'd prefer black.

I guess I can bring it to a place to get media-blasted and then powder coated, but I'd prefer to do it all myself....and, I'm cheap! hehee...

Any ideas?
Title: I want to strip/paint my wheels...
Post by: Red01 on June 28, 2007, 03:04:47 PM
The smooth part of the wheels will strip real easy with paint stripper. The rough cast part is more difficult due to the nature of the surface, but with a little effort and a soft bristle brush that won't fall apart in stripper, it can be done.
Title: paint wheels
Post by: tuscolabandit on July 01, 2007, 04:27:11 PM
If the paint on your wheeels is in good shape there is no need to strip them. Sand them with some scotch brite pads, clean them and spray your paint.
Title: I want to strip/paint my wheels...
Post by: orionburn on July 17, 2007, 10:13:20 AM
One tip for doing the stripping...wear protection! When I was repainting my FZR I got a little tiny drop on my arm and that crap burns like hell. I've seen guys paint their rims with rattle-can spray paint and they turned out good. At least black did anyway.
Title: I want to strip/paint my wheels...
Post by: GooseMan on July 18, 2007, 02:21:49 PM
Well, I finally got everything done.

Took the wheels off, and used some paint stripper from the local hardware store. It was like this clear jelly, and after waiting a few hours, then overnight, nothing really happened. I managed to get most of the paint off on the rims of the wheels, but it wasnt really a good job...basically, a huge mess!  :duh:

While I was working, my neighboor (office neighboor, I do all the work on my bike in my office/warehouse) came by and mentioned he had a sandblaster.  :duh:  :shock:  SWEEEEEET!

So I sandblasted them up nice and good! I bought this dark anthracite spray paint from Duplicolor, which is made for wheels, and gave each wheel 3 coats. Came out REAL nice!  :grin:  Much better than white! The bike looks much more "serious", for lack of a better term.

I'll post pics soon!  :motorsmile:
Title: I want to strip/paint my wheels...
Post by: orionburn on July 19, 2007, 12:59:30 PM
Quote
Took the wheels off, and used some paint stripper from the local hardware store. It was like this clear jelly, and after waiting a few hours, then overnight, nothing really happened.


Stuff I used was called something like Aircraft Paint Stripper. That stuff you only had to leave sit for about 5 minutes and the paint came right off. It's a jelly as well, but it didn't work as good if it sat for a long period of time. Glad you managed to get the job done  :bigok:
Title: I want to strip/paint my wheels...
Post by: Red01 on July 19, 2007, 02:50:06 PM
Sandblasting wouldn't work so well if you wanted the polished edge look.  :lol:

I should've mentioned Aircraft paint stripper... it works better than the cheap grade stuff.