How-to PlastiDip your Wheels

[ktt88]

So after considering sandblasting and refinishing my rims, I stumbled upon a product called Plasti-Dip which comes in a spray can and is a rubberized coating that can be applied to basically anything. It is fully removable, and from what I hear, its also very durable! I live in Toronto, so I found it in a Home Hardware store after checking other major retail chains. Just to give you an idea how this stuff comes offhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BP_IKoxSgF4Step 1. PreparationGet a clean surface to work on, clean rim, and get rid of all dust.(there is NO sanding at all)Step 2. TapingCover up everything that you don't want to get paint on. I used envelopes around the wheel and tape underneath Even if you do get some over-spray, its very easy to remove with some steel wool or high grit sand paperStep 3. First coatSpray a light first coat being sure to get it in everywhereStep 4. Second coatSame as aboveStep 5. Final coatSame as aboveStep 6.Finish up any areas that you missed or messed up (its fairly forgiving)Step 7.Let it dry for 1-2 hours (I let it dry overnight), then remove taping and envelopesStep 8. Done! Repeat for your other wheelsForgot to mention that between the first 3 coats, i waited about 20 minutes to make sure it dried enough so that i could put another coat on top.

[vit]

I'll be interested to know how it holds up.

[06pvibe]

Hey yeah! That's pretty cool!! I too will be curious to know how they hold up. My concern would be if it shrinks as the wheels and/or weather gets hot, but they should be withstand stones and other road debris pretty well. I got a "kick" out of the envelops too. You must work for a card company. And for your own safety, and especially living in a winter wonderland, get rid of those RS-A's before you slide off the road and kill yourself. They are terrible tires and I wonder how they get to be called All-Season?It does look like you need some touch up there though. I can see through the finish, especially on the sides of the spokes.

[BlueCrush]

Interesting. I love the envelope paint block system.

[ktt88]

hahaha, no worries as these are my summer only tires. Got hankook winters on the vibe right now. This was the first wheel I did, so it wasnt perfect, but I went back and fixed it up after!

[epcIII]

I think it looks pretty killer. I might try this.

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by ktt88 »hahaha, no worries as these are my summer only tires. Got Hankook winters on the vibe right now. This was the first wheel I did, so it wasn't perfect, but I went back and fixed it up after!Still, BadYear sucks rocks. I have made a vow to myself to stay away from them as long as I can. I had OE RS-A's on my Mazda3 HB. They were ONLY good when it was dry out. They slipped and slid every other time. AND they wore out in I complained to their CS who gave me the corporate spiel, then sent me to one of their local rip-off joints. They would not give any consideration for replacing them, and wanted full retail price (then $293 USD/ea.) to replace them, I could have replaced them for $160/ea anywhere else at that time, and that did not include mounting, balancing, labor or "shop supplies."I told them to pound sand into where the sun don't shine.

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »Interesting. I love the envelope paint block system. Pretty awesome. I need to paint the rusted steelies on the Vibe come springtime, I may have to try this.

[Blanco_Diablo]

+2 good idea for steelies!

[A Psycho Martyr]

dude you read my friggin mind!!!!I've been discussing this with a friend of mine to do on my stock wheels as well. We just went and bought a can about a week ago and plan on trying it out soon! Great minds think alike, I suppose

[Sublimewind]

That's looks good, but keeping it clean is going to be fun after it bakes in the sun and on the wheels for a little while... not to mention the embedded brake dust it'll collect.. pretty cool though... I did the same with Duplicolor Graphite wheel paint... http://img.photobucket.com/alb...0.jpgh ... lb...8.jpg

[keithvibe]

not bad... but you missed quite a bit. You need to go back and do some touch up's.

[epcIII]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »not bad... but you missed quite a bit. You need to go back and do some touch up's.Glare?

[ktt88]

no, i actually did miss a few spots on the edges. I fixed it up after though!

[Blanco_Diablo]

Yessir Even though our vibes are exact opposites LOL!

[A Psycho Martyr]

This stuff comes in Black, White, Red, Blue, Yellow, and then they also have a kit where you can mix your own colors, but that one only comes in a dip

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by A Psycho Martyr »This stuff comes in Black, White, Red, Blue, Yellow, and then they also have a kit where you can mix your own colors, but that one only comes in a dipSince it's liable to be forever (re: never) that I can replace the wheels on Frosty Jake, I would love to do perhaps a blue on the OE steelies w/the silver OE wheel covers. For OE's, those really aren't bad looking wheel covers, imo.But my wife is so against doing anything she deems unnecessary....