Plasti Dip OEM Steelies Question

I'm going to Plast Dip my steel wheels but trying to do it without removing the wheels. Want black wheel with steel lug nut look.

Question: how would I keep the lug nuts from getting dipped? I've YouTube videos where they just seem to spray over it (which I think would rip when wheels are taken off), also would the removing the cap after it's been dipped also peel the dip on the wheels? other videos had the car on the ground with the wheel on with the lug nut off! Is this safe?

 

Ya know, I had the same concern. Everything I saw just dipped over the lugs. Not really sure what happens but I wasn't going to find out. I just wrapped with Seran wrap and taped it.

Also, make sure you you put nice thick coats where the wheel meets the tire and don't peel it off too early. And always warm up the cans in hot water if it's cold outside.

 

I covered the same areas @joonbug did with masking tape. Worked like a charm, otherwise it would be a pain to peel it off your lug nuts...

As far as the center cap, I did mine separately to make sure I didn't miss any hard to reach areas, but as long as there is a gap between the cap and the wheel you will be fine. If the cap is flush with the wheel or the gap is paper thin, then the dip will bond to both and peel if the cap is taken off.

The more coats you do, the thicker the dip, the easier it is to peel off. I did a bunch.

 

Thanks guys! So looks I should remove the cap and spray it separately while the wheels are sprayed on the car with the lugs?

 

Yes definitely do caps separately. Or just buy new wheels. I got tired of my dipped wheels real fast.

 

Really? Was thinking about getting wheels then found out about TPMS comparability, so will give dipping a try first. Did u guys go with just the matte black or also added the metal shine layer on top?

 

I think I did 4 coats of black and 2 coats of glossifier. If I were to do it again, which I never will, I would do a couple more coats of glossifier or none at all. 2 coats wasn't enough to make a difference.

 

One more Question: how are you suppose to turn the wheel 180 degree if the brakes and calipers are covered in plastic? Is it ok to creep the truck forward a little?

 

As long as it's not taped to the wheel you'll be ok. Just go slow

 

Yup, and I masked the lugs. I used garbage bags around the rotors/calipers and removed them, then creeped forward and reset them.

I used regular black then I believe three coats of glossier, which I do believe is a waste of money. There is no gloss to my wheels, ever.

 

Has anyone dipped just the steel wheel and not the cap or lug nuts? Interested seeing how that would look. Might be the easiest/laziest method! Lol
I think I'll start with that and see how it looks before deciding wether to dip the caps too.

 

@lehminh , I platidipped the a set of wheels back in November of last year. They are still holding up very well. I left on the center caps but if I were to do again today knowing what I know now I would have removed the caps and done them separately. Also on rotating the wheels, I never did and it came out a-ok. The tire was far enough from the ground that I just held the can upside-down for a quick second while spraying the bottoms of the wheel.

For the first couple of coats, I wouldn't put it on too thick until you get a good 2-3 coats of plastidip on them. Otherwise it''ll run faster. Good luck and show us the results when finished.

 

You have pics of your wheels? Can't remember what the caps look like on the steelies. Or are you talking about the OR wheels? I left my Pro caps alone. It was glossy and didn't match the wheels but didn't look bad.

 

The stock caps look just like your blacks but are plastic it seems. Was thinking of getting the black caps but they're like $40 each!

 

The stock are light grey plastic

 

How about dipped wheels but not cap or lug nuts but with a black center cap.? Anyone know the size of the center Toyota cap ?

 

These are on EBay for $16

 

These, right? Just remove caps, tape up the lugs, and spray caps separately. If you work the caps onto the rotation, it'll be easy. Spray each wheel then all 4 caps. Most of the time is waiting between coats.

 

Yup, thanks Joonbug

 

You can also check out www.dipyourcar.com for some good instructional videos and tips.

 

lehminh, go to dollar store and buy ya a bag of med size balloons. Put them over your lugs. You can cut to fit and tape end. It worked for me, but decided to just spray lugs along with wheels. Good luck.