I always do my own wheels, never spend much and always get good results. Be thorough and careful, it's worth more than paint and gear.
I do it this way:
1. good rub down, really dull the old paint.
2. if any alloy/bare metal is now exposed then etch primer is vital. Or at the very least some red oxide (has more bite than grey)
3. high build primer to fill out nicks or marks
4. another rub down with medium paper
5. primer, couple of light coats building up
6. rub down any runs or belmishes
7. apply the colour. lots and lots of thin coats, but put too little on and it will rub off later or rub through when you wet sand
8. lightly wet sand when completely dry, dull down the colour and take off any gloss to the finish
9. lacquer it. lots and lots of coats. usually recommend two or three, on wheels I do as many as the can gives me to be sure.
10. wet sand again to get it smooth as glass and shiney.
But then don't do what I did with my old TT Comps, and lean on against a wall while fitting to the car after paint... little puff of wind and it fell face down on the concrete drive
Couple of my old sets
BBS RMs splits
Compare! by
mookboy, on Flickr
Azev A's in VW Sand colour
photo by
mookboy, on Flickr
IMG_0937 by
mookboy, on Flickr
Satin finish on these TT comps
IMG_1782 by
mookboy, on Flickr
IMG_1784 by
mookboy, on Flickr
BBS RA's done just using tradespray wheel silver
Close up of paint by
mookboy, on Flickr