I'd prefer some black/dark gray wheels to the silver ones that came on my car. I can't really afford new wheels right now, so I'm thinking of painting my current ones. I'm just wondering how to go about this. Is there some sort of special wheel paint I need? I want to do it right, so it looks good and lasts for a while.

the photoshopped pictures (black wheels) show the two options I'm considering

 

All the major paint makers (Duplicolor, etc.) make a wheel paint you can get in spray form. Generally they hold up well but if you bounce the wheel against a curb you're going to damage the paint.

The proper way to paint is to unmount the tires, have the wheels media blasted, then follow the instructions that came with the paint as to the proper prep and primers.

 

Or better yet, unmount, media blast, then powder coat.

 

Media blasting is only *really* required if the old finish is flaking or deteriorating. If your wheels are fine/recently new and you just want to change the colour, simply sand with some P400 grit THROUGHLY and re-paint.

Media blasting on aluminum can leave a deep profile afterwards that is difficult to fill and smooth unless you're using a thick material ontop such as powder coat.

 

With alum, I always use a medium grit crushed walnut to blast with. Takes longer to get it stripped, but is usually a lot more gentle on the aluminum.

 

IMO they look great they way they are.