Who has steelies? (pics and discussion)

If you look at the bead on my steel rims you can see that they aren't STOCK. When Stazworks build these rims you have a few options and one of them if larger beads out the outer rim. Now don't think that the only way you can do this is if you have something like the dual beadlock rims I have. They do make rock rings for non-beadlock wheels.

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So if you are going to play in the rocks with steel wheels my suggestion is to get some rock rings installed or install them yourself.
 
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Love this thread. I have black steelies on my 97, which I bought about 20 years ago for something cheap, maybe $50 per wheel. Looks like they have gone up in price since then. They are now old and faded and have some surface rust, so I plan to give them a fresh look. All the pics in this thread have made me second guess the color I'll go with, and I like matkal's white!

But let's get back to the OP's questions. I'm a rookie, so I want to know what powder-coating is vs painting. And if I want to paint, what are some of the best rattle-can paints for steelies? I know many on this forum recommend SEM Landau Black to match the factory black on vinyl flares, but what about paint for steel wheels? Any brand recommendations?

The rust is light, so I plan on just using a wire wheel to get the surface-rust off, then treat it with a coat of ospho, then spray paint, right?
 
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Oops, double-posted and cannot figure out how to delete. Replacing text with this apology...
 
SSTJ said:
Love this thread. I have black steelies on my 97, which I bought about 20 years ago for something cheap, maybe $50 per wheel. Looks like they have gone up in price since then. They are now old and faded and have some surface rust, so I plan to give them a fresh look. All the pics in this thread have made me second guess the color I'll go with, and I like matkal's white!

But let's get back to the OP's questions. I'm a rookie, so I want to know what powder-coating is vs painting. And if I want to paint, what are some of the best rattle-can paints for steelies? I know many on this forum recommend SEM Landau Black to match the factory black on vinyl flares, but what about paint for steel wheels? Any brand recommendations?

The rust is light, so I plan on just using a wire wheel to get the surface-rust off, then treat it with a coat of ospho, then spray paint, right?
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Powder coating is where they take your wheels, sandblast them, spray a powder coating on the wheels (electrostatically), and then heat the wheels until the powder flows together into a smooth, hard surface. Then they take your money, and give you back your wheels. ;)

Painting is just that. It's painting. Spray gun, rattle can, brush or roller. Whatever works for you. It's a helluva lot cheaper, but I actually like having my wheels powder coated.
 
Squatch said:
Powder coating is where they take your wheels, sandblast them, spray a powder coating on the wheels (electrostatically), and then heat the wheels until the powder flows together into a smooth, hard surface. Then they take your money, and give you back your wheels. ;)
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Nice, thanks. I would imagine that's what happens in the factory, and that's probably how my wheels came to me?

And does powder coating last longer, and hold up better? I would guess so, right? How much money are we talking for four wheels in decent shape with just a bit of surface rust on them?
 
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SSTJ said:
Love this thread. I have black steelies on my 97, which I bought about 20 years ago for something cheap, maybe $50 per wheel. Looks like they have gone up in price since then. They are now old and faded and have some surface rust, so I plan to give them a fresh look. All the pics in this thread have made me second guess the color I'll go with, and I like matkal's white!

But let's get back to the OP's questions. I'm a rookie, so I want to know what powder-coating is vs painting. And if I want to paint, what are some of the best rattle-can paints for steelies? I know many on this forum recommend SEM Landau Black to match the factory black on vinyl flares, but what about paint for steel wheels? Any brand recommendations?

The rust is light, so I plan on just using a wire wheel to get the surface-rust off, then treat it with a coat of ospho, then spray paint, right?
Click to expand...
I used SEM self etching primer and Rustoleum paint on my wheels, I'm a little disappointed in the Rustoleum as it doesn't seem very hard, you can peel it with a fingernail but it went on nice and looks good.

I didn't use powdercoat because regular paint is easier to touch up and I've had issues with PC bubbling. And I've heard it 's difficult for it to get into narrow crevices like where the wheel centers meet the rim part.
 
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SSTJ said:
Nice, thanks. I would imagine that's what happens in the factory, and that's probably how my wheels came to me?

And does powder coating last longer, and hold up better? I would guess so, right? How much money are we talking for four wheels in decent shape with just a bit of surface rust on them?
Click to expand...
I believe that most original equipment wheels were painted, not powder coated. As for whether or not powder coating lasts longer and holds up better, there seems to be some debate on that. I personally feel it does, but some claim otherwise. And then there's this, a quote from @matkal:

"I didn't use powdercoat because regular paint is easier to touch up and I've had issues with PC bubbling. And I've heard it's difficult for it to get into narrow crevices like where the wheel centers meet the rim part."

While I've never had issues with the bubbling he mentions, the other points he makes are valid. And btw, @matkal, for years I encountered the very same issue with Rustoleum not seeming to harden properly. Then one day I decided to actually read and follow the instructions on the can to the letter. Once cured, I ended up with a helluva nice surface that was extremely hard. Made all the difference in the world, and been doing it that way ever since.

@SSTJ, I've found the cost to range from $200 to $300 for four wheels, depending on the color. Metalflakes will require a clear coat, as well, and it's an additional cost. Here's a tip: If you have a Les Schwab tire store near you (though they might just be a west coast thing), they will do four wheels for $100 the last time I checked. Prices may have gone up by now, but still cheaper than anyone else.
 
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Squatch said:
@SSTJ, If you have a Les Schwab tire store near you (though they might just be a west coast thing), they will do four wheels for $100 the last time I checked. Prices may have gone up by now, but still cheaper than anyone else.
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last i knew they didn't do much prep to parts or vehicles which is why their prices are cheap.
 
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Mr. Pink said:
last i knew they didn't do much prep to parts or vehicles which is why their prices are cheap.
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I hadn't heard that. I just had a buddy have four rims done, and they dropped one and bent the lip pretty good. He wasn't pleased. However, another friend had five wheels done for his truck, and was quite happy with their work. I've never used them, myself, as at the time I was made aware of the service, they were only doing rims in black.
 
Thanks all, this is helpful. I'm going to spray-paint, following the instructions carefully in hopes of a good hard coat.

I know folks on this forum recommend SEM Landau Black for vinyl parts, as a good match for factory black. But what about for steel, like these wheels? Any recommendations on a specific paint that would work on steel, and would match the Landau Black of my freshly-painted fender flares?
 
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