My Alpha rim project

[blindzebra]

Ok, so as a HOAB member I wasn't happy about all of the chrome on my new Alpha. Since I can't afford to get all new rims quite yet, I took some inspiration from a local cop cruiser. I took all the lug nut covers off the hum I just totaled. I went down to sherwin williams and asked for the best toughest industrial primer for this plastic. I ended up getting X-1-M 400. I also got Sherwin Williams Industrial and Marine Coating Rust Preventive Paint in Semi Gloss. Here's pics of the prime coat. When's they're finshed, they will be exact opposite of a cop rim, chrome spokes with a black cover. What do you think?

[frenzy1]

Nice ! Good luck and hope to see some finished pics asap !

[blindzebra]

Ok here's the first coat. I'm going to recoat in 70 minutes to make sure it's still flexible to give when the next coat dries. I think they're turning out really well.

[CWS]

What did you do for prep ? Did you lightly sand/scuff the chrome finish ? Be really interested to see the final assembled wheel, bet it'll look great.

Cliff

[blindzebra]

I scrubbed the wheels down with a wet cloth to get any large bonded molecules off. Then a thorough sanding with 800 grit wet/dry sandpaper. I then wet clothed it again, waited for it to dry then dusted it with an old paint brush. I then primed it, and gave it 4 days drying time to harden and bond. Then a top coat wait 70 minutes, dust, then recoat. I getting ready to take a pic after the 2nd coat now.

[blindzebra]

Ok here's the finished product not on the truck. How do you guys think it looks? I will take a picture of the truck tomorrow in the daylight. I have tomorrow off!!!! Yeeeeeeaaaahhhhhh!!!!! God! Only 61 hours this week. That entirely too much for a guy even the French would call galently lazy!

Oh yeah the last pic is the products that I used.

[fourfourto]

looks good, You should get your old 3;s wheels and do the same to themhttp://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

Tip http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/images/icons/icon2.gif If you use the paper clip option on your text then click insert all the pics will come up in the posts.:beerchug:

[blindzebra]

Ok it's raining balls out here, but I took some pics anyway. I think it tones down the chrome an incredible amount. I also have a set of airboxs from my last one that I'm going to paint the same black with an air sprayer.

46397

46398

46399

[CWS]

That does look good BZ, and you're right, it does tone down the chrome.

Good work.

Cliff

[Haydel-H3]

Nice, I just picked up a set of spare rims from a girl who changed to 20' with street tires. Chicks, but nice touch on the rims, note scotch brite green pads are perfect to prep before paint, or commet and water. Both scratch the surface just enough.

How do I put pictures in this, I there a trick?

[H3slate]

Nice, I just picked up a set of spare rims from a girl who changed to 20' with street tires. Chicks, but nice touch on the rims, note scotch brite green pads are perfect to prep before paint, or commet and water. Both scratch the surface just enough.

How do I put pictures in this, I there a trick?

Get a free account at Photobucket, upload your pics to there and use the direct link to paste into the insert image button.

http://photobucket.com/

[Big Dad]

That does look good BZ, and you're right, it does tone down the chrome.

Good work.

Cliff

Agreed.

[Agriv8r]

nice touch....

[dbphotos]

What's the likliehood this would work on the wheels as well? I'm looking to go with all black wheels on my H3 but don't want to purchase new wheels. I'm afraid of peeling. Anyone changed the color of their wheels either with paint or powder coating?

[H3slate]

Others have done their entire rims, although not the chrome wheels. If you prep well, they should hold up well. Most people are using bedliner paint to get a durable non-glossy look.

The nice thing about it is that if it does peel or come off, you can just spray over it to fix it.

[frenzy1]

very nice ! congrats !

[SR1355]

Looks great!!! I did the same thing with my '06 caps last fall. Haven't had any problems with chipping or peeling....

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

great job PARALLEL PARKING....

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=46399&d=1201888605

[dbphotos]

Ok, I've started my project. I purchased the primer and paint you recommended from Sherwin Williams and have finished the caps, now for the hard part, the wheels.

Do you think the wheels can be done with lots of tape and paper with them still attached or do you thinkg they have to come off?

[LEcustoms]

Ok, I've started my project. I purchased the primer and paint you recommended from Sherwin Williams and have finished the caps, now for the hard part, the wheels.

Do you think the wheels can be done with lots of tape and paper with them still attached or do you thinkg they have to come off?

Get a deck of playing cards and just stick them between the tire and the rim. Fast, cheap and simple way and it'll give you a nice clean line around the rim edge. No need to remove the tire.I would still remove the rims from the truck to prevent overspray getting on your paint. It's also easier to get a nice even coat and to get into all the little crevices. Good luck.

[dbphotos]

Well I did it, you can see the results here:

http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32643

THanks for the advice.

I saw the advice on the playing cards after the fact, but I still have to do my spare so I'll definitely use them for the spare.