Plasti-Dip experiment successful

"Clown Shoe Pilot" (csp)
10/04/2014 at 20:14 • Filed to: None

I had a spare set of wheels that came with the car and used to have track tires on them. The wheels are straight but looked like hammered dogshit. I had them sandblasted and powder coated in a fairly boring silver. This fresh powder coating is perfect for laying Plasti-Dip down over.

The powder coater forgot to mask the places where the wheels engage the hubs, so I sanded off the interface surfaces. Then I cleaned all the dust off and sprayed the first coat of Plasti-Dip. It looked pretty good and I liked the color, so I waited 30 minutes between coats and finished up a wheel, including the glossifier coat. After that dried, a couple minutes with an Xacto knife, scotchbrite, and some MEK substitute and the wheel is ready for center caps and the //M sticker and free from overspray.

Here's the result:

DISCUSSION (19)

jkm7680 > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/04/2014 at 20:16

Whoa, that's going to look nice on the car!

Steve in Manhattan > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/04/2014 at 20:17

That is an excellent result. Is it permanent, or do you have to do it again at some point?

Clown Shoe Pilot > Steve in Manhattan
10/04/2014 at 20:18

Plasti-Dip is supposed to be fairly durable, but it'll peel right off if I get tired of it. It's not permanent.

Dsscats > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/04/2014 at 20:20

It's really durable. Too durable. It is hard to get off if you don't do it thick though.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Dsscats
10/04/2014 at 20:25

I put on 4 coats, and when I went to clean out the place where the //M sticker will go, it peeled out nicely. I scored it with the Xacto and then it lifted right out in one piece.

AM3R > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/04/2014 at 20:31

looks great, please feel free to share any pictures of them mounted if you get a chance.

Bytemite > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/04/2014 at 20:32

That looks amazing...I love that blue. What is the BMW name for that color?

Clown Shoe Pilot > AM3R
10/04/2014 at 20:36

I've gotta do the other 3 first, and I'm waiting for center caps and M stickers. I'm also waiting for a new set of kidney grills because one of mine fell off on the drive home the other day.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Bytemite
10/04/2014 at 20:37

It's a wrap. It's an Arlon vinyl called "Blue Aluminum".

AM3R > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/04/2014 at 20:37

ah I have some new kidneys for my E90 sitting on my kitchen table. Gloss black. I'm just being a lazy bum, I should go put those on right now...

Bytemite > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/04/2014 at 20:46

My god the only blue paint I've seen that is as gorgeous as that wrap would be Subaru's WR Blue

Clown Shoe Pilot > Bytemite
10/04/2014 at 20:48

Here are a couple more pics of the car - http://csp2.kinja.com/the-clown-shoe…

Arben72 > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/04/2014 at 21:10

Looks good, I love plastidip. I've been thinking about plastidipping my winter set some uncommon color.

Frank Grimes > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/04/2014 at 21:54

I was thinking of plasti dipping some meat balls on my doors but I havent figured out how to get a nice clean circle maybe vinyl would be cheaper and faster.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Frank Grimes
10/04/2014 at 22:02

Yep, if you live in a city of any decent size, you can probably find a company that wraps cars. They'll VERY likely have a vinyl cutter and can cut you out a perfect circle. Or, just find a sign company. They can source the material and cut it.

Bytemite > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/04/2014 at 23:15

You spent a lot of money for it and I can understand why...but what color was it originally and why didn't you just buy a blue one?

Clown Shoe Pilot > Bytemite
10/04/2014 at 23:21

Laguna Seca Blue M Coupes are crazy rare. Under the wrap, it's Steel Grey Metallic.

Bytemite > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/05/2014 at 00:02

Nice, the Metallic Grey looks great too. I love your clownshoe and I'm just hoping I can afford a non-M version when I start looking. I'm still undecided though if I want to just get the 2.5 soft top or pay extra for the bigger engine and roof.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Clown Shoe Pilot
10/05/2014 at 10:48

Little tip if you ever change your mind about the Plasti-dip: Use WD-40/similar. Just spray the crap out of a wheel, and scrub with a rag or something non abrasive. That method worked well for me when I tried dipping the cowl of my hood.