[motomaverick]

Folks, I have been contemplating converting the original Zen wheels which are of aluminum finish to black as the vxi model. However, numerous enquiries with paint shops led to frustration as they were quoting a minimum of 3k to paint all the wheels to black and that too i was not sure how long the paint will last.

Then i saw a couple of thread mainly "Indica Dashboard Paint" which inspired me to go for a DIY with the wheels. The following are the tools that I bought for the DIY.

1. 3 emery paper grade 120 - Rs 3/ paper
2. Bosny Primer: No 65 Gray - Rs. 220/- for 400ml
3. Bosny Color: No 39 Black - Rs. 220/- for 400ml
4. 2 sets of news paper
5. Plastic bags cut into strips
6. Duct tape




So here are the pics of the successful DIY that i just did. It took me some 30 mins for the entire process of sanding and painting 1 wheel. I first experimented with the stepny to make sure the get the process correct. I still have the other 4 wheels to go but that should not be a problem at all.

Step1: This pic below is of the original wheel before anything was done:



Step2: The picture below shows the wheel after sanding of with the emery paper in all nook and corner of the wheel.




Step3: Once you have sanded all the sections its time to cover up the tire and the tire valve to avoid getting it sprayed with paint.




Step4: Then comes the first coat of primer on the sanded and covered wheel




Step5: Give a second coat of primer after about 5 minutes for the first layer to dry. This makes sure that all the parts of the wheel are covered with primer and ready for the actual paint.




Step6: Allow some 10 mins for the second layer of primer to dry off and then start with the black paint and apply in a circular direction to spray all the corners with the paint. Zig-zag motion does not help here as suggested by the can as the wheel is not a flat surface and the entire thing is circular.




Step7: The picture below is the final outcome after a second coat of black paint. Look how well it is shining. Once you have applied the second coat let the wheel idle for around 30 mins for it to completely dry. In my case I had left it for around 4-5 hours as I had to go out




The complete tools costed some 400 bucks and the paint can should be able to paint atleast 2 of the other 4 wheels so the total cost would be some 600 bucks

[james]

Great DIY! the outcome is good! Very smooth and glossy!

[Bumble Beast]

I was planning for the same thing for a long time, now that I got the directions thanks to you. I will wait for the exams to get over and then do them myself. Love the shine btw.


Edit : Do post pictures of the finished project.

[monty9991]

nice DIY, with balck rims your car will give a WICKED look.

[Wolffe]

Great DIY! The pleasure & admiration that one gets from a DIY is immense.

[ikoneer]

Good Job Wolffe. It's DIY wheels painting day today, just saw another thread where Silver alloy is painted white.

How long will this paint hold good?

[Wolffe]

Originally Posted by ikoneer

Good Job Wolffe. It's DIY wheels painting day today, just saw another thread where Silver alloy is painted white.

How long will this paint hold good?

I think you have mentioned my name by mistake-it should be 'Good Job Motomaverick'.

[SPIKE ARRESTOR]

@motomaverick very well executed and documented, do let us know the reliability of the paint job after the wheels have run with the new coat on it

[jaysmokesleaves]

Anybody knows how to make matt finish alloys into black ?
Im refering to the OEM matt finish wheels on the Safari!
How to make them MATT BLACK ?

[SX4LOVER]

pics of your car if you've finished fitting the wheels....(this is my second same post same day)!!

[motomaverick]

Originally Posted by james

Great DIY! the outcome is good! Very smooth and glossy!

Thanks james, yes i wanted it to be glossy.

Originally Posted by Bumble Beast

I was planning for the same thing for a long time, now that I got the directions thanks to you. I will wait for the exams to get over and then do them myself. Love the shine btw.


Edit : Do post pictures of the finished project.

Yes i am planning to finish the rest 4 wheels tmw and then will take a pic of the finished project.

Originally Posted by monty9991

nice DIY, with balck rims your car will give a WICKED look.

I was planning to put wheel caps which i already have but they werent looking too good on silver rims hence, went for black.

Originally Posted by Wolffe

Great DIY! The pleasure & admiration that one gets from a DIY is immense.

That statement is so true. +1

Originally Posted by ikoneer

Good Job Wolffe. It's DIY wheels painting day today, just saw another thread where Silver alloy is painted white.

How long will this paint hold good?

Well since I have applied primer before the actual paint so I am pretty confident that the paint will hold. I infact tried sanding once after the 2nd layer to primer as 1 section had too much of primer, it surely wasnt coming off.

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR

@motomaverick very well executed and documented, do let us know the reliability of the paint job after the wheels have run with the new coat on it

Yes, I am keeping my fingers crossed that the paint does last.

Originally Posted by SX4LOVER

pics of your car if you've finished fitting the wheels....(this is my second same post same day)!!

Coming up tmw!

[rjstyles69]

Brilliant work there mate, did you deflate the tires by any chance ? I ask is because on the outer edges if you need to get around the point which makes contact with the tyre the tires need to be deflated. Else you would be left with an unevenly painted rim.

[motomaverick]

Originally Posted by rjstyles69

Brilliant work there mate, did you deflate the tires by any chance ? I ask is because on the outer edges if you need to get around the point which makes contact with the tyre the tires need to be deflated. Else you would be left with an unevenly painted rim.

No I did not deflate the tyres coz it would be a pain to inflate them again as i dont have a pump. The outside edges of the rim does look a little uneven but once the wheel cap is on you dont see anything

[aman9393]

Brilliant job motomaverick
The black rims are looking very good.

[motomaverick]

Here are the final pictures after the complete job today. Took some 3 hrs to finish the rest of the 4 wheels