Plasti Dip!
 

Here's how I spent today...


I decided after much research and video watching to try out Plastidip. I wanted to black out my wheels while also blacking out some other accents. Since I have a jet black I thought some matte black accents might look the part I was shooting for. Plus, when and if I get tired of it I just have to peel it off and the stock parts are still in tact and protected in the meantime. Here's how it went...


I ordered the gloss black wheel kit from Plastidip which is basically 4 cans of their matte black along with 3 cans of clear gloss (Glossifier). Initially I was going to go the gloss black route but after seeing the matte finish on the first wheel, my mind was made up. I did NOT use the glossifier for this particular project.


The wheel kit:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5338/7...a28c2f4a_b.jpg


Step 1, get that ride up and get them wheels off! They say you can spray 'em right on the car but as with any spray, there is a lot of overspray and the proper way to do it is just get 'em off. Besides, it gives you a chance to inspect things and get the wheels completely clean:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/7...03ec2107_b.jpg


Next up... a good wash. Front back, side to side. Must get all traces of contaminates off for good adhesion with the Plastidip:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5324/7...ec5f64c1_b.jpg


After a good scrub-a-dub it's off to station 2... the drying station. Gotta get these suckers dry. Nothing a 5 hp blower can't handle. Finish it up with a paper towel to soak up any little droplets:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7126/6...190f668b_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5331/6...2a634ebb_b.jpg


Time for a little prep. Some index cards strategically placed will keep overspray off the actual tire. Yes, you can just peel it off the tire I guess afterward but why create more work?:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6...c69aca07_b.jpg


First layer (of 5 total)... just a light dusting!:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5079/7...6ef0db17_b.jpg
Close up:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/7...ab84e078_b.jpg


Alright so the weather was nice and warm (and dry) so I waited roughly 7-10 minutes between coats 2,3,4 and the final 5th coating. You didn't want to see all those pics too did you? Me neither.

Okie dokie.. here's how the final product looks after the 5th and final coating:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5038/6...e85beef0_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7260/7...e757ce48_b.jpg
Close up showing texture and very even finish!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/7...632eb21e_b.jpg


On the car :thumbsup: :
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/7...f61052ee_b.jpg

So all in all I am very happy with the ease of use along with the final result. If you want to retain your original colors/finishes and protect them in the process of giving them a color change then I highly recommend this stuff. :clap:


Here's a couple pics of the other parts I sprayed to match:

Side gills:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6...18cfe501_b.jpg
The overspray peels right off the area that you don't want it:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/7...2a51f4d1_b.jpg

Front grills (I already had painted these but wanted them to match the other accents):
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/7...6ee934bb_b.jpg

I also did the hood vents (not pictured) and overall I am very happy with it. From some videos I have seen, it holds up very well to regular washes (even with a power washer) and lasts for months.

Now what else can I spray... :D

Looks great Killer:tup: Its a real fun product to use. Being able to remove it is just too convienient.

Excellent job! Wheels look legit

Looks amazing

Michael, That came out pretty good :tup:

I'll checkout later tonight when you come out to the Cerritos later tonight

Can you peel it off over the M badge on the rim? That would look good

:iagree:

Now Ive seen it all. Plasti dip on an M car.

Looks real good.:tiphat:

Yes, you can't see it in the whole car pic, but they are indeed peeled off the M badges on the wheels.

It's awesome that you've had a chance to see it all! Most go through life with their eyes (and minds) closed.

:tup:

That's so sick man! Love the m3! I just got gloss black wheels on my z and love it :)

Nice job, that came out well!

:yum:

That looks fantastic. After seeing these I think my Pearl White would look fantastic with some matte black sport package wheels. Almost looks like a graphite. I love it..now to convince my wife..:icon18:

How long did it take you from start (removing wheels and washing) to finish? (reinstalled wheels)

The texture looks EXACTLY like graphite. It's funny you mention that. And at $50 and the option of just peeling it right off if you hate it, the convincing should be easy ;)

If you search for "tonga man" or something like that on YouTube, dude's got a blue sport package 370 and did his wheels and emblems and stuff. Looked great. I wish I had known about this stuff when I had the killerbee. It would have been such a great alternative to sanding and painting my fangs because I could have gone back to stock when I sold it. Oh well, live and learn!

Looks great :tup:

What if some hater came and peeled off all the plasti dip on your car. That would be the funniest thing to come back to your car and its back to stock.:rofl2:

Looks great!

Would be better than some hater keying your car.

If you wash your rims with a brush would the plasti dip come off?

I don't know... I'm guessing if you rub hard enough it would start to peel. The beauty of the dip though is that you shouldn't have to do that. I simple spray down should do the trick.

I've never used a brush on wheels anyway. Kinda harsh. With soap and water, a wash mitt is more than enough and you probably won't even need that.

:iagree:

Plus if the person is going to peel it ALL off, that would be better than just peeling a piece and leaving it hang.

I usually just spray mine with soap and water. I've been afraid to try a brush on them for fear of accidentally peeling it off. Good thing is that it hides the brake dust well.

Agreed. Even a power washer held at about 3 feet isn't going to do anything and will blast most all dust and grime off.

This guy holds it way closer than I would and it seems to hold up fine...

totally doing this...great way to buy some time before i pony up the cash to buy some legit wheels.

Congrats man! I just did the wheels on my PW base Z and it looks great. I get compliments all the time, and they're not even the sport wheels :)


Sent from my iPizzle using magic and new fangled science stuff

For those of you that have had it for a while, how does it hold up? Any chips etc?

Very nice! Might do this on the CLK.

Out of the 3 cars you own, you choose the Mercedes to plasti dip instead of the Ford or Honda? :roflpuke2:

:icon18:

Don't forget to hold your pinky out when spraying. Gotta keep up with the high class of the Mercedes :bowrofl:

:icon17: Of the three cars it's really the only one I'd want to do it on. We have the black series cf spoiler on it so black wheels might look good.

You could always get different colors of plasti dip.

I don't really want any other colors though.

There are prob some spots it would look bad on your Stang, Steve.

Gold wheels for the s2k?

Plastidip your Stang's windshield! Stang drivers never pay attention to where they're going anyway :stirthepot:


Sent from my iPizzle using magic and new fangled science stuff

IDK... don't want to spend any money on that car right now.

Only if you promise to drive in front of me. :)

BlueBat Approved :).

B@t™

Deal!


Sent from my iPhizzle using magic and new fangled science stuff