powder coat letters on nismo wheels

johnxxx · 07-10-2020, 09:04 AM

Going to powder coat [2014 nismo] wheels again to gloss black and was wondering how doable it is to powder coat the letters on the 1 spoke. Wanted to do gloss white for N I S M and Candy Red for the O. I've seen only 1 picture of it done but with a vinyl inlay.

Is there a reason why I'm not seeing anyone who has already done this with powder coating?

Difficulty? Expensive? Aesthetics? All of the above?

crazy4oldcars · 07-10-2020, 09:17 AM

Difficulty.
The rim is charged and the powder is sprayed, pretty much like spraying a car, then the rim is "cooked", which melts the paint into a continuous coat.
There really is no ...reasonable... way to introduce another color, especially in a small area. My understanding is also that you only want to heat it once, as multiple trips tends to introduce runs and sags.
Your best bet would probably be to PC the wheels, then come back and use either vinyl or have the letters filled with automotive grade paint.

Kirk B.

johnxxx · 07-10-2020, 10:12 AM

Thank you Kirk... thought as much. The one guy who did do it in vinyl was happy with how it held up with the washings.... he posted pics here on the forum as he was selling them. I really think this looks great but I'd have the first 4 letters in gloss white against a gloss black background. Perhaps I'll think about vinyl... if it doesn't look good or hold up I can always remove it. I think that's my better option at this point. My car is getting wrap anyway next week and the powder coat wheels were just to match my color so looks like the stars are aligning. Thanks again Kirk!

2012 Nismo Wheels/tires/TPMS - mint condition

redondoaveb · 07-10-2020, 10:30 AM

I did my calipers with decals and they're holding up great. You could also get a pinstriper to paint the lettering on.

johnxxx · 07-10-2020, 10:53 AM

Wow... I'm surprised at those decals holding up on the brake calipers trying to slow down your 680 WHP beast! I would imagine they get mighty hot. I'm seeing lots of pinstripping places near me...TBH I think I'm leaning towards vinyl to make sure I like the look and then if it ever fails I can always go the pinstriping route.

I'm trying to debadge and shave my emblems too. The only remnants remaining identifying my car would be the nissan black letters on my red calipers and my center caps on the wheels. I don't mind NISMO or the Z fender turn signals but wanted to get rid of the hamburgers and any mention of Nissan for a cleaner look.

Thanks!

redondoaveb · 07-10-2020, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnxxx

Wow... I'm surprised at those decals holding up on the brake calipers trying to slow down your 680 WHP beast! I would imagine they get mighty hot. I'm seeing lots of pinstripping places near me...TBH I think I'm leaning towards vinyl to make sure I like the look and then if it ever fails I can always go the pinstriping route.

I'm trying to debadge and shave my emblems too. The only remnants remaining identifying my car would be the nissan black letters on my red calipers and my center caps on the wheels. I don't mind NISMO or the Z fender turn signals but wanted to get rid of the hamburgers and any mention of Nissan for a cleaner look.

Thanks!

The fronts have been smoking hot and the decals still look brand new (fingers crossed). Not a bad idea going the vinyl route first.

I hate the hamburgers also. Just didn't know if was worth spending the money to repaint both bumpers so I had mine painted black. I found someone that makes custom lenses for the side marker/blinkers. If you wanted lenses with nothing on them, they're available, or, he can do custom lettering or emblems for them. I ordered a set, I should get them next week. Hopefully the quality is good.

johnxxx · 07-10-2020, 11:59 AM

I was able to get rid of the front as I added the Stillen front bumper and just left it off. For my back hamburger I'm having the vinyl place fill that in so when they wrap it there's no more 'indent' for the back part.

I'm interested on how your side turn signals work out... I've been looking and haven't found any aftermarket parts for that. I'd be happy with just (2) plain ones without the "Z". Does this guy have a website or pics to look at somewhere? Thx

OptionZero · 07-10-2020, 12:19 PM

There's no way to powdercoat a second color, much less in such specific detail.

Here are my TE37 Ultras. Flat black powdercoat from the factory

All of the etched logos and the etched lip were filled in with red. This was absurdly difficult and required a bodyshop to do it with a fine brush by hand, it cost $100 per wheel due to the time it took, and it still didnt come out perfect since the detail is so small.

The NISMO log on those wheels is much MUCH easier b they are large block letters. It would still need to be done by hand but it wouldn't drive someone insane tryna do it.

Your best bet is to find a pinstriper or bodyshop that is willing to take the job

redondoaveb · 07-10-2020, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnxxx

I was able to get rid of the front as I added the Stillen front bumper and just left it off. For my back hamburger I'm having the vinyl place fill that in so when they wrap it there's no more 'indent' for the back part.

I'm interested on how your side turn signals work out... I've been looking and haven't found any aftermarket parts for that. I'd be happy with just (2) plain ones without the "Z". Does this guy have a website or pics to look at somewhere? Thx

Here's his website
https://www.artemiovillegas.com/

johnxxx · 07-10-2020, 12:38 PM

Whoa! I must say tho, it did turn out nice and from the looks of it $100 per wheel is a steal. Wouldn't want to be the guy that paints 4 of them. I'm taken back some as to how small some of that lettering actually is... what did he paint those with a toothpick? jk

redondoaveb · 07-10-2020, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OptionZero

There's no way to powdercoat a second color, much less in such specific detail.

Here are my TE37 Ultras. Flat black powdercoat from the factory

All of the etched logos and the etched lip were filled in with red. This was absurdly difficult and required a bodyshop to do it with a fine brush by hand, it cost $100 per wheel due to the time it took, and it still didnt come out perfect since the detail is so small.

The NISMO log on those wheels is much MUCH easier b they are large block letters. It would still need to be done by hand but it wouldn't drive someone insane tryna do it.

Your best bet is to find a pinstriper or bodyshop that is willing to take the job

A pinstriper is the way to go. The black on the top of my shiftknob was done by a pinstriper. Before and after pics. Your wheels look nice!

cooltoy · 07-10-2020, 12:57 PM

Nismo Wheels

Nismo Vinyl decals for Rims?

johnxxx · 07-10-2020, 01:39 PM

Thank you CoolToy! I pm'd Mike.

Nismonerd · 07-10-2020, 02:15 PM

Glad I ran across this thread. Been wanting to do the Nismo letters on my wheels for a while. I pm'd Mike as well...thanks guys!

07-10-2020, 09:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
crazy4oldcars Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: SE Texas Posts: 448 Drives: '16 Nismo Tech Rep Power: 28413	Difficulty. The rim is charged and the powder is sprayed, pretty much like spraying a car, then the rim is "cooked", which melts the paint into a continuous coat. There really is no ...reasonable... way to introduce another color, especially in a small area. My understanding is also that you only want to heat it once, as multiple trips tends to introduce runs and sags. Your best bet would probably be to PC the wheels, then come back and use either vinyl or have the letters filled with automotive grade paint. Kirk B. johnxxx likes this.

07-10-2020, 10:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
johnxxx Track Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NJ Age: 64 Posts: 990 Drives: 2014 370Z PW Nismo Rep Power: 2684366	Thank you Kirk... thought as much. The one guy who did do it in vinyl was happy with how it held up with the washings.... he posted pics here on the forum as he was selling them. I really think this looks great but I'd have the first 4 letters in gloss white against a gloss black background. Perhaps I'll think about vinyl... if it doesn't look good or hold up I can always remove it. I think that's my better option at this point. My car is getting wrap anyway next week and the powder coat wheels were just to match my color so looks like the stars are aligning. Thanks again Kirk! 2012 Nismo Wheels/tires/TPMS - mint condition crazy4oldcars likes this. __________________ FI TT Kit #099 making 794whp/713# torque@23psi

07-10-2020, 10:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
johnxxx Track Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NJ Age: 64 Posts: 990 Drives: 2014 370Z PW Nismo Rep Power: 2684366	Wow... I'm surprised at those decals holding up on the brake calipers trying to slow down your 680 WHP beast! I would imagine they get mighty hot. I'm seeing lots of pinstripping places near me...TBH I think I'm leaning towards vinyl to make sure I like the look and then if it ever fails I can always go the pinstriping route. I'm trying to debadge and shave my emblems too. The only remnants remaining identifying my car would be the nissan black letters on my red calipers and my center caps on the wheels. I don't mind NISMO or the Z fender turn signals but wanted to get rid of the hamburgers and any mention of Nissan for a cleaner look. Thanks! redondoaveb likes this. __________________ FI TT Kit #099 making 794whp/713# torque@23psi

07-10-2020, 11:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
johnxxx Track Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NJ Age: 64 Posts: 990 Drives: 2014 370Z PW Nismo Rep Power: 2684366	I was able to get rid of the front as I added the Stillen front bumper and just left it off. For my back hamburger I'm having the vinyl place fill that in so when they wrap it there's no more 'indent' for the back part. I'm interested on how your side turn signals work out... I've been looking and haven't found any aftermarket parts for that. I'd be happy with just (2) plain ones without the "Z". Does this guy have a website or pics to look at somewhere? Thx redondoaveb likes this. __________________ FI TT Kit #099 making 794whp/713# torque@23psi

07-10-2020, 12:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
OptionZero A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,235 Drives: 15 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 214100	There's no way to powdercoat a second color, much less in such specific detail. Here are my TE37 Ultras. Flat black powdercoat from the factory All of the etched logos and the etched lip were filled in with red. This was absurdly difficult and required a bodyshop to do it with a fine brush by hand, it cost $100 per wheel due to the time it took, and it still didnt come out perfect since the detail is so small. The NISMO log on those wheels is much MUCH easier b they are large block letters. It would still need to be done by hand but it wouldn't drive someone insane tryna do it. Your best bet is to find a pinstriper or bodyshop that is willing to take the job JARblue, madwi and old guy like this. __________________ OptionZero Build Thread

07-10-2020, 12:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
johnxxx Track Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NJ Age: 64 Posts: 990 Drives: 2014 370Z PW Nismo Rep Power: 2684366	Whoa! I must say tho, it did turn out nice and from the looks of it $100 per wheel is a steal. Wouldn't want to be the guy that paints 4 of them. I'm taken back some as to how small some of that lettering actually is... what did he paint those with a toothpick? jk __________________ FI TT Kit #099 making 794whp/713# torque@23psi

07-10-2020, 12:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
cooltoy Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 13,973 Drives: 14 PW 370Z S/T MT Rep Power: 243722	Nismo Wheels Nismo Vinyl decals for Rims? Nismonerd likes this. __________________ Member of kenchan's "photoshopped mods" and "proper offsets" gang.

07-10-2020, 01:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
johnxxx Track Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NJ Age: 64 Posts: 990 Drives: 2014 370Z PW Nismo Rep Power: 2684366	Thank you CoolToy! I pm'd Mike. cooltoy and Nismonerd like this. __________________ FI TT Kit #099 making 794whp/713# torque@23psi

07-10-2020, 02:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
Nismonerd Base Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: North Alabama Posts: 37 Drives: 2010 370z Nismo Rep Power: 9	Glad I ran across this thread. Been wanting to do the Nismo letters on my wheels for a while. I pm'd Mike as well...thanks guys! __________________ 2010 Nismo, Z1 Cold Air, Z1 Intake Plenum, Dewla Design Air Guide, Test Pipes, 24 Row oil cooler, Zspeed HD CSC, RJM Clutch Pedal, Z1 Dyno Tune

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