The steel wheels on my '06 are starting to deteriorate. I'd really like to get some 5-star steel wheels and cover those with my current wheel covers, but $ might be an issue.
Is there anything that I can do to the set that I currently have? Maybe repaint them? I'm sure that would be the cheaper alternative.

Thanks.

 

I bought a new set of 5 spoke 16" steelies and cleaned and prepped them for a nice smooth shiny black top coat.

I used "Mercury Black Outboard Motor Paint" as it is durable around wet conditions and it sprays on so nicely.
I am an ex painter/gelcoater and I can tell you it was a totally professional looking job with no runs/sags dust.

The only issues come down to damage from mounting, demounting, and balancing tires.
The stock wheel covers pretty well cover it up.

SF

 

Cool. I'm no pro, but I'd be willing to attempt this type of job.

Have any prep suggestions? Thx.

.

 

You might give some thought to colormatch the wheels to your bodycolor. Seeing you have a blue HHR that color would look nice under those silver wheelcovers. Just a thought.

 

There would be no real advantage to the blue as the 5 spoke wheel is covered by the OEM 5 Spoke Wheel Cover.
The only thing you would see is just a very very small top edge of the wheel.

Preping the wheels would consist of removing all rusted areas and hitting most of the wheel in general. with 220 to 400 grit wet/dry sand paper and/or a small wire wheel on a drill or other electric tool for the rusted spots.

As soon as you have the wheels sanded, wipe dry immediatly or blow dry to stop any rust from re-occuring. I use a hair dryer where needed.
When you have all the wheels sanded you can use a meduim strong liquid soap mix to wash them thoroly and then rinse very well.
Then dry with a clean non lint towel if possible.
If you have a compressor I would then blow them off and use a small clean dry bristle brush as you go... that is to remove any lint or other debris that might be left.
Let them sit overnight to make sure they are completely dry. Then Paint.
I just set them inside on a piece of cardboard where you are comfortable with spraying.
Start with a complete light cover coat. Let sit for 15 minutes and then apply a final coat. If you need more coverage wait 30 minutes and apply another final coat.
Watch as you are spraying to see just at the point of complete shiney you move on. Don't linger with too much paint in any 1 spot.
Let dry at least a couple days if possible. Longer would even be better.
This paint sets fairly quickly from runs and is tacky in about 10 minutes unless the temps are too cold.
Read the label for temps before spraying.
Probably 2 spray cans to do the job.

SF

 

Silverfox......

You're the expert, but wouldn't using a heat lamp, after painting,provide a little more "hardness" to the paint?

I know when I paint, varnish, stain, etc. the use of a heat lamp, correctly positioned, seems to help.

 

Yes I use heat lamps as well but everybody doesn't have them and it really depends on the temp at the location. Also you have to be careful not to get them too close to the painted product and yet close enough.
You would probably have to paint 1 or 2 wheels at a time to make sure you could cover the total area with the number of lamps you would be using.

One last thing.... Keep in mind that you are painting each wheel on both sides. I usually paint the back side first and let it cure, then paint the front side last.
4 wheels is a pretty good size application at one time.
This time of year it would definatley help though.
If the temp is 65/70 or better I usually don't need them with this particular paint. Flash time is pretty short at that temp.
You could then paint all 4 at one time with out the hassle.
A proper Higher Temp for the right period of time could help the hardness occur quicker.

I keep my hair dryer handy for a quick pass on hotest setting if needed where I might have gotten a little bit too heavy and wants to run, but it can contaminate the wheel with stuff blowing if your area is not sterile.

 

Thanks for the reply and thoughts

 

Painting is a good option. To add to what is already here, when I repainted mine the tires were still mounted. To keep the paint from stick to the tire I dressed them with a good coat of tire dressing. Paint will not stick to that. Just dont get the tire dressing on the rim.

As far as the 5 spoke steelies are concerned, your current wheel covers will not fit them. I just put the 5 spokes on mine. The other issue with the 5 spokes is that if you want to use something other than the stock wheel covers you are very limited.

 

The wheel cover fit depends on which HHR you have.

If you have an LS then your have the plain wheel without the 5 spokes.
You then "would see" the blue painted surface behind the OEM 5 spoke wheel cover.
There is an Aftermarket 5 spoke Chrome cover that fits this wheel also.

If you have a 1LT then you have the 5 spoke wheel and the wheel cover that fits it.
You then would not notice the blue paint on the wheel.

They both have a different wheel cover with a different valve stem location.