Paint before lacing?

[cjperry81]

I have my wheels all unlaced and right now im wire brushing all the garbage out of the old wheels. Before I buy new spokes etc can I paint the wheels the color I want or will they get scratched up when they get laced back up? Ive watched some videos where people just tape off their spokes and paint their wheels but those were people who taking their wheels all the way apart like i have. Opinions?

 

[Uncle Stretch]

Its the best time to paint a rim. You have a possibility of scratching them , but if your
careful and keep your finger over the end of the spoke till you get to where your going to
put it, then it won't scratch the rim. May not make sense till you lace a few.

 

[scrumblero]

I find if you just put the nipples on 2-3 turns at first, you can keep the hub far enough to one side that you don't have to flex the spokes when lacing the last quarter of the last side, and less likely to scratch the finish... if that makes sense... :lol:

 

[pick]

Absolutely paint them before lacing!

 

[aka_locojoe]

You can put tape on the rim before lacing and remove afterwards. It might help in preventing scratches.

Like Uncle Stretch I keep a finger over the end of spoke till I get it right to the hole.

 

[sensor]

^^^^yup.^^^^