roadnoob412

Ok guys, I searched the forums on paint questions, and I have a new, unique question albeit a dumb and uninteresting one. Still curious??? Keep reading then...

I'm rattle can painting an old Worksman trike that I got recently. I've stripped it down to bare metal and am FINALLY ready to start painting. I'm painting the wheels (rim and spoke nipples) one color and the spokes and hub another color. More than anything, I guess I'm repainting just to protect the bike from more rust, but I want it to look at least a little cool, too, right? So here's my question - I've painted the rim. How long should I wait before masking it off to paint the spokes? I don't want to pull off the newly painted coat is all. One week? A few days? A month? I know the spray paint isn't as durable as the auto shop spray cans, but I'm trying to keep costs relatively low. I've tried to let the stuff I've painted sit out in the sun to really let it set in, but I'm just worried I'll pull all the paint off by masking it off.

Thanks in advance...I'll try to post pics when the whole thing is redone. Should look moderately neat for a cheap rattle can job - my first repaint...

Matt Gaunt

I'd give it a good few days just to be sure.

I always sort of dab the masking tape on carpet to take away a lot of the stickiness before using it. That way you minimise your chances of taking the first paint off when you remove the mask.

Do post pics, I'd like to see how it turns out.

roadnoob412

Thanks Matt! I sure will. I have waited a few days so far, and I tried a test strip on the inside of the rim. I tried to place a thin layer of paint in there just to inhibit the rust. So far so good - the tape came off without any paint! The rims are fairly old Worksman wheels and a good deal of the rust couldn't be removed. I couldn't afford sandblasting (not in the budget). I got it down as best I could using a wire brush and lots of steel wool, but it's on the inside of the rim anyway - never seen unless you're changing the tire! I'm also hoping I can get the tires back on without chipping too much paint away...

roadnoob412

Hi all,

Regarding my last post - anyone have any tips or tricks on how to get tires back on to a painted rim without chipping away the paint? I'll suck the fun out of this and go ahead and get the most obvious answer out of the way (don't use spray paint).... I've got 2 out of the three wheels done and the frame, so I'll post pics soon for sure if anyone is interested.

Seriously though, any ideas? I thought I heard someone say you could use dish soap or a thin coat of vegetable oil on the tire??

Thanks again in advance,
Tim

wrk101

I use RU Glide for mounting motorcycle tires, it is sold by NAPA autoparts store. It really makes a difference.

sooprvylyn

Dont use veggie oil, it will deteriorate the rubber in the tires, use a synthetic oil or dish soap.

Also You should be using a prinmer before rattlecanning, it helps the paint stick. You can leave the rims in a hot shed or in your attic for a few days too, this will help set the paint. Also if you use auto wax on the paint after it dries that will help keep it from chipping.

When rattle canning always primer and use the best paint you can get a hold of.

As to getting the tires on the rims, they should be so tight that you need levers(unless they are 700c, wierd on a trike), if you use levers you will mar the paint.

roadnoob412

Welp, this should be an interesting task then. I didn't prime the wheels/parts before painting them. Figured the base coat was primer enough, but hey, I'm used to learning the hard way, so imagine that. I guess there's really no way around ruining the rims when I put the tires back on. Shoulda thought about that before painting them, I guess...

Thanks for the advice...