I bought some things. I could use some plastidiping advice/tips now.

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
03/23/2016 at 11:35 • Filed to: Halp!

I pulled the trigger on some used tires and wheels for my ‘06 Sierra crew cab. They’re Goodyear Wrangles Authorities, two of them are nearly new, the other two ... not so much. I’ll get a season out of them ... maaaaybe two. They’re really not the right tire for a 2wd truck that rarely leaves the payment, but I succumbed to their low price and their rugged good looks. It helped the cause that they came with a nice set of GMC center caps, as mine are getting a little natty. It’s probably not the best decision I’ve ever made ... but certainly not the worst either. These tires have surprisingly good reviews, so we’ll see.

I want to plastidip the wheels before I install them. I’m thinking either black or charcoal grey (I’m leaning towards grey). I’ve never used the stuff before, so I’d love go get some advice from y’all on how to go about that. What brands to use, how to prep, etc? Thanks Oppo!

Why you turn my picture sideways Kinja!!

Mmmmm.... meaty!

DISCUSSION (28)

HammerheadFistpunch > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 11:56

I don’t have any plastidip advice, but I do respect your authorities.

bob and john > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 11:59

clean them well, mask off.

plastidip: lay down a light first coat, and 3-4 heavier coats on top not too heavy so that it runs) you want a decent enough thickness at the end so when you go to peel it off it just comes off. its a nightmare other wise.

Needmoargarage > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 12:02

Spray way more coats than needed. That stuff really sucks to peel off if it’s too thin. And yes, you will want to get it off at some point when it starts looking ragged.

Clean the wheels real well and just start spraying. Don’t bother masking off the tires; you can peel the overspray off the tires when you are done it shouldn’t effect the wheels.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 12:04

Don’t waste your time with plastidip. A rattle can is just as easy and the results are MUCH MUCH better.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/project-big-st…

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 12:11

The only thing I have to add to Peter Black’s advice to make sure it is warm enough to do the spraying. Other than that it is just like spray paint.

vicali > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 12:11

Any reason why you want to use plasti dip? Usually wheel specific paint like Duplicolor is stronger and holds up better.

PD is cool that it can be peeled off and makes a vinyl-like coating, just not sure wheels are the best application.

crowmolly > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 12:15

Why not a wash, etch primer, and paint?

shop-teacher > HammerheadFistpunch
03/23/2016 at 12:19

Well played sir!

shop-teacher > Needmoargarage
03/23/2016 at 12:20

Got it, thanks!

shop-teacher > Luc - The Acadian Oppo
03/23/2016 at 12:20

Yeah, but then it will rust again in two years ...

shop-teacher > vicali
03/23/2016 at 12:23

I know the paint will rust again in two years, so I thought I’d try plastidip and see how that holds up.

shop-teacher > crowmolly
03/23/2016 at 12:30

I know the paint will rust again in two years, so I thought I should try plastidip and see how that holds up.

vicali > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 12:48

Why is it going to rust?

This is steel wheels after two winters;

Kinja'd!!!

I used tremclad flat white and then clearcoated.. holding up just fine. The minute it doesn’t it will get another coat or even spot fixes with a brush.

Ilike_cougars > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 12:52

I’d use paint, plastidip will start looking ragged and start peeling in 6-8 months time.

shop-teacher > vicali
03/23/2016 at 13:00

I’m genuinely surprised. The factory wheel paint started looking like crap after two years.

vicali > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 13:04

It’s all in the prep.

Clean them good, rough them up with some 800 sandpaper, use a few light coats of good primer, let it dry, rough them up again, and paint following directions on the can..

The reason most rattle can jobbies fail is people get in a hurry...

shop-teacher > vicali
03/23/2016 at 13:10

Alrighty then. Thanks!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 14:37

Use many coats of dip and your golden

crowmolly > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 14:51

Two years? That might be for the factory garbage. Real thin with minimal prep.

If you do a good job (and maybe clear them when you are done) you should get a number of years out of the paint.

Mike > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 15:26

I generally get 3x5 cards and tuck them in between the tires and wheels going all the way around. It's much quicker than taping. If you use plastidip then make sure you shake the can for much longer than you'd expect and don't do it in cold or hot temperatures.

shop-teacher > crowmolly
03/23/2016 at 15:35

Interesting, I would’ve thought the factory paint would have been best case senario ... and those did rust in two years. I’n re-evaluating my plan now. Thanks!

shop-teacher > Mike
03/23/2016 at 15:36

Thanks for the tip! That’s a great idea!

crowmolly > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 15:37

It’s kind of just a production speed deal. Just like how $100,000 cars still have orange peel in the paint.

Almost a guarantee that you can do a better job.

shop-teacher > crowmolly
03/23/2016 at 15:44

I don’t have a great history with paint ... but I’ll give it a go!

crowmolly > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 15:47

You’ll be fine!

Post up if you have any Q’s

rockingthe2 > shop-teacher
03/23/2016 at 16:03

I would paint them, not plastidip. Think of plastidip if you change colors often. For painting use 3x5 cards or a deck of playing cards (Whichever is cheaper, no difference either way) and make sure to clean them well, degreaser, light scuffing, good primer, paint, and clear (Make sure they are rated high temp or specific wheel paints, the brakes get pretty hot there) and just do multiple light coats. When I did my roof rails I did 2-3 coats of each and they turned out awesome.

shop-teacher > crowmolly
03/23/2016 at 16:15

Thanks! Will do!

shop-teacher > rockingthe2
03/23/2016 at 18:02

Thanks!