Wheel Painting!!!

[CS-17 13]

What is the best method for painting wheels? I have 856 Wheel Horse wheels that I would like to repaint, my only concern is taking off the tires. I have the original Wheel Horse brand tires, and I don't want them to get damaged. If I take them off, what is the likely hood of being able to successfully get them back on without damage? Also, what paint is best to use on them?

Thanks in advance for your response!

[Easton Rich 601]

Rustoleum Ivory or almond. You could put 3x5 notecards between the tire bead and wheel or just tape it off. There are many YouTube videos that will show you

[Easton Rich 601]

!!

[Ed Kennell 41,297]

I use old playing cards.

[Achto 29,223]

5 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

I use old playing cards.

 

 Playing card trick works pretty good

 

 

If you are stripping the rims to bare metal prime them with self etching primer before painting, Rustoleum makes a good self etching in a spray can.

Edited May 27 by Achto

[Sparky-(Admin) 22,781]

I prefer taping them off, taping both sides so I can prime both sides at once..and then finish paint both sides at once. 
 

 

 

 

 

[CS-17 13]

What is the best way to remove the rust before painting?

[CS-17 13]

Also, what is the best "brand/model" of Rust-Oleum spray paint? Automotive, farm & implement, High-Performance Enamel....... (so many choices!)

[Ed Kennell 41,297]

2 hours ago, Achto said:

 

 Playing card trick works pretty good

 

 

If you are stripping the rims to bare metal prime them with self etching primer before painting, Rustoleum make a good self etching in a spray can.

Nice Dan, but I like to put in a double run and a double pinochle.

 

[Achto 29,223]

3 hours ago, CS-17 said:

What is the best way to remove the rust before painting?

 

These work very well. Make sure that you wear eye protection, and assume that you will be picking a few wire strands out of your clothing.

 

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-inch-twisted-wire-cup-brush-47927.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21906451597&campaignid=21906451597&utm_content=170270689413&adsetid=170270689413&product=47927&store=356&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21906451597&gbraid=0AAAAADAHb4cEjx48CsY5R4IOf6olYMLLl&gclid=Cj0KCQjwotDBBhCQARIsAG5pinPmSNAF7rgCXqPSfVhTeb6aaLyyZn95mFsVoZh3v1SX2DGLVWzzU64aAoGNEALw_wcB

 

2 hours ago, CS-17 said:

Automotive, farm & implement, High-Performance Enamel.

 

All of these work well, some take a little longer to dry than others. The High-Performance probably dries the fastest and they have Almond in this line. Like I stated above bare metal should get a coat of self etching prime.

 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rust-Oleum-249322-Self-Etching-Primer-12-Oz/766988887?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=4886&selectedOfferId=6C2BEE68AB9946D19654553F8D0BDAAD&conditionGroupCode=1&adid=22222222222000000000&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=e&wl1=o&wl2=c&wl3=10352200394&wl4=pla-1103028060075&wl5=&wl6=&wl7=&wl10=Walmart&wl11=Online&wl12=766988887_10000004963&wl14=rust-oleum self etching primer&veh=sem&msclkid=bf6c20c6c7551179289048f3e7334bbe&gclid=bf6c20c6c7551179289048f3e7334bbe&gclsrc=3p.ds 

[kpinnc 14,217]

4 hours ago, Achto said:

Playing card trick works pretty good

 

Used that one just yesterday. Works very well! Just let the air down enough to make it easier to push the cards in and go!

 

 

 

[CS-17 13]

Thanks for all the great tips!!! The dark green self etching primer looks to be less than half the price of the gray one, is there anything wrong with using dark green, instead of gray, as the primer?

[MainelyWheelhorse 1,339]

 

I scuffed up the rims with a palm sander with 320, and I do a mix. I started off with these taping around the edge. I ended up after the tape wouldn’t stick, gingerly spraying around the rim with one of those plastic slip on pistol grip for a spray can of silver wheel paint and some gloss silver. It came out good. They are for a worker so I’m not looking for perfection.

[ineedanother 1,657]

Do yourself a favor now and spend a few bucks to install wheel studs. 7/16" x 20 (can't recall the length right now) and pick up some lug nuts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J5U7EBO?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

Changing tires is so much easier this way 

[rjg854 12,012]

I've changed all my tractors over to studs, I use 1 1/2 " studs and capped lug nuts.

[kpinnc 14,217]

On 5/27/2025 at 9:36 AM, CS-17 said:

The dark green self etching primer looks to be less than half the price of the gray one, is there anything wrong with using dark green, instead of gray, as the primer?

 

Nope. I kinda like it myself. 

 

 

[CS-17 13]

Finished!!!   I used a drill mounted wire brush to clean rust and old paint off. Then used the dark green self etching primer, And finished with a nice almond colored spray paint!! Also to keep the tires taped off, I used duck tape (since I don't have any spare playing cards).  

Next, looking to make a hood ornament......

[JR Pedersen 13]

6 hours ago, CS-17 said:

Finished!!!   I used a drill mounted wire brush to clean rust and old paint off. Then used the dark green self etching primer, And finished with a nice almond colored spray paint!! Also to keep the tires taped off, I used duck tape (since I don't have any spare playing cards).  

Next, looking to make a hood ornament......

Well done sir...well done