I want to paint my white rims on my purple bike. i can't decide if I want to go color- black, silver, or polished.  Or any other color suggestions?  Only other question is what is the easiest way to do this?  I've read a couple of threads about spray can, I'm not mechanically inclined, so I'm not planning on dismantling it very much. Thanks for your input.

Silver would look best with the purple. Next would be black with polished lips.

I rattle can mine and have got really good results. It can done with the tire still installed but the balance may be altered.

Not sure of your location...if you are near any member, they may be willing to help.

what kind of silver paint? how difficult is it to take the wheels off and get back on in working order?? If I spray it, would I need to sand it then spray it??

I have used various types of silver. Anywhere from Rustoleum to wheel specfic paint. Tough to say which one I liked the best since they all have been acrylic enamels, fast drying but not as durable as epoxy based paints. I like Eastwood paints since they have good product flow through the entire can life. Clear coating is a good idea as well. The paint needs to be sanded, helps with adhesion. I am not a painting expert, actually I dislike it since prep is so time consuming. I like to see results. 

Removing the wheels is not that difficult. IIRC, there are some write-ups in the FAQ.

I'm thinking about Spraying Mine with some Silver urethane Wheel paint from Plasticoat.

I started using Dupli-Color High performance wheel coating
LOVE IT!!!!!!!
ADVANCE AUTO


remove rotor and sprocket
wipe down rim 2-3 times with paint thinner....degreaser...(i use carb cleaner first) and a towel or 2
do not use purple stuff/simple green/greased lightning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
big roll of masking tape to cover the bearing holes and tire

like all painting it will look as good as the prep work effort

take a rod..dowel and a couple of bungie cords to hang it from something
cover in light coat to get the paint to stick to rim
then 2-3 more coats to change the color

I'm near W-S if ya need help
most others will also help if ya are near
most work for beer or fud
or company to talk bikes with.....

Oh, and the early 90's purple katana had GOLDish wheels and looked good

I think the purple and black would be hot. That's what I would do. 

thanks for all the replies, keep them coming.  It may be a couple of weeks before I make a decision, I'm also going to check local shops to ask about how much they would charge me to paint them. I may check prices on getting my whole bike painted, but I will probably decide against that one. thanks again....any other opinions are welcome.

Hey Ken you'll want to watch the Duplicolor.Especially when recoating or Clear Coating.As soon as the Second or if your Licky the Third Coat Goes on it will wrinkle.I started painting my Waterbuffalo with some Maple Red and Sure enough like I was Warned by the Guys on Zook-e's Board.Now I have to Strip and redo both of my Side Covers and Radiator Covers.

Heather I'm Near NC so if you need Help I can Probably Paint them for a Couple of Beers. :thumb:I could Probably Paint your Whole Bike but Like Mine it would Probably take a Few Years.

I'm on my 3rd frame....haven't had a problem yet

Heather,
you will sh!t kittens when you get a quote from a shop.....

 

Hey Ken I guess your one of the Lucky ones.I didn't believe the Guys at first until it Happen when I was Just About Finished and Moving to the Gas tank.

about how long do i need to wait between coats??  are these thin coats??

Yes thin Enough so you don't get any Sags.First Coat should be really Thin so that the Other layer will Adhere better.Before you start prep work will mean a lot if you have any Imperfections in the original Paint.If you can find some Maroon Scotchbrite at your local Autoparts store Completely Scuff them with that.if you can't find any maroon your Local Grocery store will have the Green stuff in the Dish Detergent Isle.Once you get the first coat on and it isn't Smooth enough or want to get rid of Any Imperfections you can Always Wet Sand and get it as flat as you want it. Like Wera Said One light Coat and More progessively Heavier.

Oh Yea era I see that you were Talking About Duplicolor WheelPaint.Thats some Completely Different stuff than I was Talking About.After thinking They offer Different types of paint.One for Clear and One for Non Clear Coat.It's possible  that Someone could have Switched the Caps and Messed my Paint Job Up.

10-20 min between
thin at first
a little thicker for the last one
I started wiping my GS frame at about 6:30 monday and finished up the paint about 8-8:30   went down about 10 and carried the dry parts into the basement

started reassembly on tues

so taking the front wheel off, what needs to be taken off?? Can the pads/caliper be left on?  For the rear, can I tape around everything (sprocket and rotor) or does it have to be taken off?

is there any way you guys could post some pics or pm me some pics of yours finished, in the process, anything. I'm nervous about doing it, but I think I can. Just want to see some pics. I did a search and there were some pics but it was from 2 yrs or more ago and photobucket said there was no files.....any pics would be great.   

Best to remove the wheels. Calipers need to be removed to removed the wheels. The sprocket carrier pulls out of the rear wheel. Best to remove the rotors but they can be left on.

Here are a couple of a recent build. I have more of another set from my track bike, I deleted them from my photobucket account. I can post them later tonight if you want.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/dgyver/97GS/97GSfrontwheel03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/dgyver/97GS/97GSrearwheel01.jpg

thanks for the pics. which silver color is that??

Eastwood Argent Silver
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=96&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=410&iSubCat=411&iProductID=96

with Eastwood Diamond Clear Gloss
http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=410&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=410&iSubCat=411&iProductID=410