HERE'S A PROJECT THAT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE LOOKS OF YOUR PONY CARTS. THE FIRST THING TO DO IS GET THE WHEELS OFF THE CART. CAREFULLY PRY THE HUBCAPS OFF THE WHEELS AND REMOVE THE COTTER PINS THAT RETAIN THE WHEELS TO THE AXLE. WHEELS SHOULD NOW SLIDE FREE FROM THE AXLE. I FIND A LOT OF THE WHEELS HAVE RUSTED THEMSELVES TO THE AXLE AND PRESENT A PROBLEM TO REMOVE. IF YOURS ARE LIKE THIS, GET OUT THE WD 40 AND SOAK IT DOWN. TRY TO BREAK THEM FREE BY ROTATING ONE WHEEL BACK AND FORTH WHILE HOLDING THE OTHER FROM TURNING. USE MORE WD 40 IF NECCESSARY. REPEAT UNTIL ONE OR BOTH WHEELS ARE FREE. IF YOU GET ONE OFF THEN HOLD THE AXLE WITH VICE GRIP PLIERS UNTIL THE SECOND WHEEL ROTATES AND IS REMOVED.

ONCE YOU HAVE THE WHEELS OFF YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO REMOVE THE EXISTING PAINT. PAINT STRIPPER WORKS OK BUT I FIND THAT IT TENDS TO LEAVE A RESIDUE BEHIND AND WILL LEAVE SPOTS THAT KEEP THE NEW PAINT FROM CURING. YOU CAN SEND THEM OUT TO BE BEAD BLASTED, BUT THAT TAKES TIME AND CAN COST YOU SOME BUCKS. SO, DO WHAT I DO. GET A GALLON OF A HIGH STRENGTH DEGREASER(SEE PICTURE) BOTH OF THE BRANDS SHOWN HAVE THE SAME STRENGTH AND CONTAIN THE SAME CHEMICALS. THE ONE ON THE LEFT COSTS BETWEEN 3.00 AND 5.00 PER GALLON. THE ONE ON THE RIGHT RUNS AROUND 10.00. GET A SMALL BOWL OR CAN THAT THE WHEELS BARELY FIT IN AND IMMERSE THE WHEELS IN THE DEGREASER. LET THEM SIT FOR AN HOUR OR SO AND RINSE THEM OFF. THAT SHOULD REMOVE AROUND 75% OF THE WHEEL PAINT. REPEAT UNTIL ALL THE PAINT IS REMOVED. YOU MAY NEED TO USE A WIRE BRUSH ON A FEW STUBORN SPOTS.

AFTER YOU RINSE THE WHEELS WITH LOTS OF CLEAN WATER SET THEM ASIDE TO DRY.

WHEN DRY, USE SANDABLE PRIMER AND GIVE THEM A FEW COATS. LET THE PRIMER DRY AND WET SAND WITH 400 GRIT WET/DRY.

AFTER YOU SAND THE WHEELS LET THEM DRY AND SPRAY THEM WITH THE COLOR COAT. SET THEM ASIDE TO DRY AGAIN.

NEXT, GET THE SPOKE DECAL SHEET (AVAILABLE FROM ME FOR $10.00) AND CUT OUT THE SPOKES.

MAKE A SMALL DOT WITH A CRAYON ON THE OUTER EDGE OF THE WHEEL FOR PLACEMENT OF EACH SPOKE. APPLY DECAL ACCORDING TO DIRECTIONS. LET IT DRY OVERNIGHT.

BRUSH PAINT A 1/4 INCH STRIPE AROUND THE OUTER EDGE OF THE WHEEL. I USUALLY MOUNT THE WHEEL ON A 3/8 INCH BOLT I A VICE SO THE WHEEL CAN SPIN. GET PAINT ON THE BRUSH PUT THE BRUSH ON THE RIM HOLD THE BRUSH STEADY AND TURN THE RIM. SPRAY A FEW CLEAR COATS ON THE WHEELS AND LET THEM DRY.

REMOUNT THE TIRES ON THE RIMS AND YOU'RER ALL SET.