Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hey dere,
I want to paint my wheels black and wonder if anyone has any suggestions.
I have the TSC trailer with the white modular wheels which are in good shape, no rust or any nasties. But I want to paint them black and do the baby moons.
What might work well to get the wheels black? I think a primer first then the gloss black but I guess I wonder about durability and paint chipping since they are wheels.

Any suggestions?
Thanks all!

Walter

Think about adding a clear coat(s) as a final step that should limit chipping of the black paint caused by rocks and such.

I would use automotive touch-up paint in a spray can. Also, don't forget to sand lightly between coats with very fine sandpaper(600 grit). Then use rbeemer's advice, and clearcoat it.

Powdercoat is cheap and very durable. If you don't know someone that has a home kit, powdercoat shops are everywhere. I have a kit but the shop that does powder in my area is so cheap that for most items I give it to them to do because it is easier to let them do it for the price they charge.

To me powder coating $30. wheels is overkill? I just use Krylon Rust-Tuff rattle can paint and it holds up very well. Scuff sand the wheels first to get a good bond grip, mask them off, and spray. 10 bucks worth of paint and an hours work and you're done.

http://www.krylon.com/main/product_temp ... ct_details

Walter....I may be wrong on this, but I don't think the modular wheels have the ability to mount a baby moon to them. What size wheel are you trying to do this to the 12"? I'd check for the mounting pinchpoints...Just asking...Doug

doug hodder wrote:Walter....I may be wrong on this, but I don't think the modular wheels have the ability to mount a baby moon to them. What size wheel are you trying to do this to the 12"? I'd check for the mounting pinchpoints...Just asking...Doug

Doug,
Yeah I know about the moons. I am looking into putting some vintage VW smoothie hubcaps on the wheels. They use spring steel clips to hold them on.
Not sure yet though but looking ahead about the paint if I decide to do it.
The paint thingie is one piece of the puzzle.
This damn birthday and christmas money is burning a hole in my pocket.

Thanks Dougie Doug.

Walter

Podunkfla wrote:To me powder coating $30. wheels is overkill? I just use Krylon Rust-Tuff rattle can paint and it holds up very well. Scuff sand the wheels first to get a good bond grip, mask them off, and spray. 10 bucks worth of paint and an hours work and you're done.

The wheels on mine are a few dollars more, and I prefer to put a finish that will last a little longer. When I powder a wheel it costs me less than $10 in materials and I end up with a finish that will last longer than I will ever be towing it. If I send it out it's about $20. It seems funny that we spend big bucks on our toys but balk at a few dollars on one of the items that takes some of the worse abuse on the road.

We've used powder coating for the last 10 years and been very pleased . Florida has tons of powder coaters too . Kerry

Walter...I sort of look at it this way...wheels really can add to a project. If that isn't the case then why are there so many aftermarket manufacturers of wheels in this country? It goes back to the days when guys would actually make their own reverse wheels and then chrome them. I think they add to the tear and you get a lot of "Bling" for the buck. I'd do them up like you want, it's your project. Down the road you're going to be saying..."yeah...I could'a done something different on the wheels" but you could be saying "I think these look really cool like this and this is how I did it" A few bucks now translates to a lot more enjoyment in the future...just my opinion. Doug

Doug , Man , do those bring back old memories!! Chrome reverse ! Rollers make the project. Kerry

I hear ya Doug. I would love to do something special with the wheels but the budget just wont allow it right now. Maybe down the road. Hell, the trailer would look a lot different if budget wasnt such a major concern.
I am just investigating at this point but havent decided what I am going to do.
Thanks for the advice!

Lightly sand them and shoot them with any color you want from a rattle can. The more "Industrial" the paint the better. Car rattle can paint works good. Any paint will do. You may have to repaint after a few years. If the tires are on the wheels and you dont want to break them down I have heard that you can spread petrolium jelly on the tire to keep the paint off. You could also keep a 1/2" of the white "stripe" around the lip. UPS trucks have brown wheels with a silver lip that looks like it has been hand painted.

One of the things I've learnt over the years is to do it right the first time. Spend the money on paint now and then spend some more later is false economy to my way of thinking. Why not wait a couple of weeks, coz that's all it would take, and then do what you would really like to see on your TD.

Cheers
Paul

PaulC wrote:One of the things I've learnt over the years is to do it right the first time. Spend the money on paint now and then spend some more later is false economy to my way of thinking. Why not wait a couple of weeks, coz that's all it would take, and then do what you would really like to see on your TD.

Cheers
Paul

I didn't mean to insult you with my $30. wheel comment... I was just thinking kinda like Paul; why spend much on wheels that aren't what you want and you are prolly going to replace anyway? Save up and get ones you really like. You won't regret it... nice wheels (and fenders) is one of the easiest things to do that makes the whole teardrop camper look better.