Paint aluminum rims?

[jamesdart]

I have a set of silver 3 spd electra wheels. I want them black. What's the best option? I guess they are anodized to prevent corrosion and oxidation. Will paint hold up? powder coat?
I work with aluminum rails sometimes and they are usually acid washed and painted. I've heard from more than one supplier they have had issues with powder coating on aluminum rails.

 

[mikeeebikey]

Are you going to powder coat?

Paint and rim brakes never work out well.

Otherwise, scuff and clean them, primer then paint.

 

[jamesdart]

No rim brakes, 3 spd coaster brake.

 

[gato'sbikes]

+1 mike i agree.

 

[jamesdart]

self etching primer?

 

[two spot]

I painted some aluminum rims for my Felt MP. I had my local powdercoater shoot them with some really nice quality powder first. That would be fine on it's own but I wanted a very specific color match to the army green so I ended up using the powdercoat as a very durable primer for my final color which was a sprayed on lacquer.

I also painted the hubs. For those, I cleaned them with lacquer thinner, scuffed with a scotch-brite, cleaned them again with a wipe down of thinner and then sprayed with etching primer before the color coats.They are holding up really well. Pics:

Regards,

 

[mikeeebikey]

I don't think you need etching primer, just a flat or regular primer. Yes you can paint over flat colors without sanding, but gloss must be lightly scuffed for it to stick. what I am saying is you have scuff for each layer gloss paint you put on.

 

[jamesdart]

I'm going with black etching primer and satin black urethane paint. Hopefully paint the fenders and chainguard at the same time.

 

[Bicycle808]

That OD Sturmey hub looks realllllly good. Whole paintjob is killer, but the 5-point flange in Olive looks incredible.