ROCKET62
Has Left the Room!
So why would anyone want to plastidip their wheels? I have always had chrome wheels on my Vipers - but with my new White/Black/Red custom paint scheme, the polished or chrome look just did not do it for me. I wanted black chrome - but since it appears that the chroming process and black chroming process is becoming more scarce because of environmental concerns - powder coat seems to be the only option. I had a local shop try a black chrome powder coat - but it just did not do it for me. As VOI was approaching - I had to do something - so Plastidip seemed to be the best option.
For those not familiar with Plastidip - it is a rubber coating - similar to the rubber coating that you find on a pair of pliers. It comes in a spray-able option and home depot carried it for about $6 a can. They also have a glossifier - for a shiny finish - as the standard finish is flat. Home depot did not carry the glossifier - so I used about 3 coats of gloss clear to get what I would consider a semi-gloss finish. It can be easily removed - almost similar to peeling your skin when you have a sunburn. It will come off easier if you have a think coating of plastidip. Based on the research I did the keys to a good outcome are putting on a number of thin coats - 5 or 6 and you can apply it thicker as you go. Other tips - surface must be clean and oil/grease free. I degreased the wheels and after they were fully dry - cleaned again by spraying 90% rubbing alcohol on the rims. There is also a "sweet" spot for the distance that you hold the can from the surface. Too close and you get runs, to far and you get a textured finish. I covered the lug holes on one of the rims - and on the other 3 just used a small wire wheel on a dremel tool so that there was no plastidip between the lugs and the wheel. (The lugs in the pictures are black - not plastidipped). I left the center caps in place and just plastidipped right over them. Total cost for this project - less than $30. Not sure how long the plastidip will last - but it has held up to 2500 miles and there are no areas that are peeling/flaking. There are only 2 pin holes that must be from flying rocks.
I have really come to like the look of black wheels - although in the back of my head may still try to find someone that can do a true black chrome finish. Easier, cheaper option would be a shiny black powder coat.
I used 3x5 cards to protect the wheels from getting coated - although a number of videos showing people easily peeling the plastidip off the rubber. The plastidip did a pretty good job at hiding some of the road rash on my rims.
Black wheels sure do help to hide the brake dust!
Happy Veterans Day - Thank you to all Veterans for making this picture possible!
For those not familiar with Plastidip - it is a rubber coating - similar to the rubber coating that you find on a pair of pliers. It comes in a spray-able option and home depot carried it for about $6 a can. They also have a glossifier - for a shiny finish - as the standard finish is flat. Home depot did not carry the glossifier - so I used about 3 coats of gloss clear to get what I would consider a semi-gloss finish. It can be easily removed - almost similar to peeling your skin when you have a sunburn. It will come off easier if you have a think coating of plastidip. Based on the research I did the keys to a good outcome are putting on a number of thin coats - 5 or 6 and you can apply it thicker as you go. Other tips - surface must be clean and oil/grease free. I degreased the wheels and after they were fully dry - cleaned again by spraying 90% rubbing alcohol on the rims. There is also a "sweet" spot for the distance that you hold the can from the surface. Too close and you get runs, to far and you get a textured finish. I covered the lug holes on one of the rims - and on the other 3 just used a small wire wheel on a dremel tool so that there was no plastidip between the lugs and the wheel. (The lugs in the pictures are black - not plastidipped). I left the center caps in place and just plastidipped right over them. Total cost for this project - less than $30. Not sure how long the plastidip will last - but it has held up to 2500 miles and there are no areas that are peeling/flaking. There are only 2 pin holes that must be from flying rocks.
I have really come to like the look of black wheels - although in the back of my head may still try to find someone that can do a true black chrome finish. Easier, cheaper option would be a shiny black powder coat.
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I used 3x5 cards to protect the wheels from getting coated - although a number of videos showing people easily peeling the plastidip off the rubber. The plastidip did a pretty good job at hiding some of the road rash on my rims.
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Black wheels sure do help to hide the brake dust!
You must be registered for see images attach
Happy Veterans Day - Thank you to all Veterans for making this picture possible!
