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Can regular rattle can auto or hobby spray paint be used to paint parts like the headlight backs silver? Or do you need water based paints?

I got a set of Jelly bean wheels that came to me painted silver that appears to be painted with rattle can silver and I want to repaint those as well to touch them up.
I just don't want to paint something and have it be a sticky none drying mess like with vinyl parts.
Thanks,
Lynn

you'd generally want to dye plastic parts using fabric dye, but if they're already painted, you can just repaint using a rattle can. i'd guess the previous owner used rattle can, but it doesn't matter. the rule is anything can go over water based paint. only oil based can go over oil based. so oil can be used in any situation. rattlecan is obviously oil based so go for it.

I don't know if you've painted them yet, but I wanted to chime in with my 2 cents ...

... firstly, if you are set on painting the wheels, I would recommend soaking them in brake fluid first (which may actually remove the paint), or at least overnight in a cleaner / degreaser such as Simple Green to make sure that you have a good surface to paint.

If the paint comes off, the world is your oyster and you can dye or paint them. If the paint remains and/or you want a silver look, you have a nice clean prepped surface ready. Dremel or sand any gouges or flash if you like, then (ideally) prime and paint them. Primer will help with adhesion, and really any kind will do (I use Krylon for most priming projects; white, black, and grey are all available at WalMart, etc.). Then you can use normal metallic silver for an aluminum look, or pick up some of the more interesting highly reflective chrome-type spray paints for a bronze, gold, or straight-up chrome look.

Paint chips, sure, but you can always give them a fresh spray at the beginning of the next season.