View Full Version : Black wheels on the cheap budget
TheBlackBeast
10-12-2009, 03:07 PM
So, Daitonsralliart posted a thread and showed off his new RA with nice black wheels ( http://www.clubralliart.com/showthread.php?t=292 ). I thought I would post for everyone a quick how to on getting yourself a set of wheels better than stock. I've always preferred a matte black finish for wheels (ran with that on my last car). On my last car I used spray paint which chipped after a few years (something I expected to happen, but acceptable).
Daitonsralliart pointed out that he used something called Plasti Dip. http://www.plastidip.com/ Their website says both Lowes and Home Depot carry it, I could only find it at Home Depot. I decided to give it a try this time instead. I got 4 cans of the Plasti Dip spray paint which turned out to be just right.
TheBlackBeast
10-12-2009, 03:12 PM
For prep, remove wheels from the car, remove the center caps and then wash. I used a commonly found dish detergent like Dawn or Palmolive to scrub off any grease or road grime - worked great. Be sure to dry them with a lint free towel to avoid water spotting, then let them dry to make sure no water is left in cracks or crevices.
TheBlackBeast
10-12-2009, 03:28 PM
For actually painting the wheels, paint the center caps separate from the wheels so they don't get stuck together. Don't forget a drop cloth if you don't want the spray to coat other stuff!
The directions on the can will indicate keeping the wheels 12"-16" away from the painting surface. I found 6" away worked better for me. I gave it about 3 coats. First coat was real splotchy. Second coat was almost there with only a few areas showing through. Third coat finished things off nicely. Never apply to thick, never hold can in one spot too long. Always keep moving!
For the spokes of the wheels I came up with a workflow that did rather well. One wheel at a time, I would paint it in the following order. Sides of spokes first, edges of wheels second, faces of spokes third and the inside of the wheel third. Steady strokes from outside of the wheel towards the center for each face. I used the valve stem as a marker to make sure didn't miss any faces.
I did not mask off the tire as I am getting new ones soon. However the paint over the rubber came out as a nice permanent shine. I might just do this to all new tires I get... I did not mask off the valve stem either as I thought a silver valve stem on a black wheel would look weird. Lug nuts were left chrome. Later I might add a little red paint to the Diamond Star in the center of the center cap...
TheBlackBeast
10-12-2009, 03:34 PM
Finished product!
Ladogaboy
10-12-2009, 04:37 PM
Nice write up! Lovin' those matte black rims!
TheBlackBeast
10-12-2009, 05:06 PM
Thanks! Yeah, I'm gonna have to break the news to my wife soon that I'm in love with another... :D
jondaspr
10-13-2009, 10:19 AM
Looks great! I might have to do this on my WW Ralliart soon, and probably do the chrome ring on the front at the same time.
Ladogaboy
10-13-2009, 01:37 PM
Thanks! Yeah, I'm gonna have to break the news to my wife soon that I'm in love with another... :D
Watch yourself. I don't think that we could have a Ralliart meet without you. :p
xXLOUROXx
10-13-2009, 01:38 PM
looks nice might have to do it thsi weekend i have a question has anyone tried it on the body i like to know if it effects the paint or it jst goes on like vinyl
TheBlackBeast
10-13-2009, 03:37 PM
Thanks!looks nice might have to do it thsi weekend i have a question has anyone tried it on the body i like to know if it effects the paint or it jst goes on like vinylI've not tried it on the body. When I painted, I painted onto the tires from the wheel. Since I painted last week, one of the tires has had some of the Plasti-Dip peel off from it. It doesn't appear to have caused any damage, but it is rubber after all and not body paint.
I suppose you could try to paint a less important object and see if the product peels off without harm. Try at your own risk! Just let us know what happens.
HiggsRA
10-13-2009, 03:48 PM
looks great wish i didnt spend a lot of $ and buy my wheels haha... was thinking about doing that for the winter... for those wondering about the body it goes on like vinyl i've done tons of things to my ra with it... ring/side corners/rear reflectors... it goes on like vinyl on the body and can be rubbed off with ease!
xXLOUROXx
10-14-2009, 11:12 AM
guess i found my next project
joedr
10-15-2009, 12:43 PM
To the OP,
Very good! Looks awesome for some can spray. Congrats!
Any picture of the cans you used? Matte black... Right?
What suspension you are running there? Sorry for asking but the stance (maybe the picture angle) looks right on spot.
Ladogaboy
10-15-2009, 02:37 PM
What suspension you are running there? Sorry for asking but the stance (maybe the picture angle) looks right on spot.
Muhahaha... I want to see this explanation in writing too. ;)
joedr
10-15-2009, 03:28 PM
JAJAJA!
Someone else got a good eye too ha! ;)
TheBlackBeast
10-15-2009, 04:05 PM
Thanks!
To the OP,
Very good! Looks awesome for some can spray. Congrats!
Any picture of the cans you used? Matte black... Right?
What suspension you are running there? Sorry for asking but the stance (maybe the picture angle) looks right on spot.
Matte black spray can Plasti-Dip. I don't have a pic on hand but grabbed a pic from their website ( http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip ).
I'm running a custom suspension setup from Muellerized...
http://www.muellerized.com/
Eibach springs, Moton camber plates and custom alignment.
TheBlackBeast
10-15-2009, 04:06 PM
Short but sweet, eh?Muhahaha... I want to see this explanation in writing too. ;) :cool:
Ladogaboy
10-15-2009, 09:50 PM
Short but sweet, eh? :cool:
Heh... didn't know that you were going to cheat and provide a link! :p
TheBlackBeast
10-16-2009, 12:20 AM
Heh... didn't know that you were going to cheat and provide a link! :p
Well, the suspension really deserves its own thread anyways... :D
Man I love those rims...Can you wash the painted wheels without peeling off?
TheBlackBeast
12-09-2009, 02:34 PM
Man I love those rims...Can you wash the painted wheels without peeling off?
Thanks!
I've washed my car about 8 times since application. No peeling on the wheels. I use a soft cotton terry cloth towel to wash them with car wash soapy water. No brushes or harsh chemicals touch my wheels! Who knows what would happen should a car wash get their hands on my wheels and I'm not going to take that chance. I am getting new tires next week (Muellerized FTW). I'll report back how the wheels look after dismount/mounting of new tires.
Well done...may be next week I will do that project...:)
TheBlackBeast
05-20-2010, 01:37 PM
So a little update on this. Back in late December when I had new tires put on, it was impossible to get the tires off without a bit of the plasti-dip coming off around the lip of the wheel. Touch up didn't exactly go as planned either. So in the long run, matte black paint probably would have been better. Either way, the process for matte black spray paint would be just about the same.
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