Wheel Paint Job - How to do?!

[CaptainSlow]

Anyone here have an idea as to how one would go about executing a paint job similar to what's below?

I realize that in the photo, the lines are digitally added, but how would one go about adding the line in practice?

Options I see are:
Pre-cut Vinyl pin stripes

• Easy to apply/remove
• Set width for even lines
• Bad for curving edges (would a heat gun help stretch over the sharp bends??)

Hand painted pinstripes with something like one-shot

• Lack of experience/steady hand = high chance of f'n up

Masking and spray painting

• Requires a really good masking job to get anything close to a good fine, line
• Results are not easily repeatable depending on masking job

Anyone with experience in this, or actually execute this? The other Fiesta ST forums haven't shown a fully painted result AFAIK, but there have been many that asked about it. The fact that it's painting on a peak/raised edge and transitions to a non-raised edge makes me think the pre-cut vinyl pinstripe is the way to go.

I have a set of stock wheels that I'm planning to repair (and maybe re paint) over some time, and I'm trying to figure out if I want to get a color match and patch up the paint/curb rash, or go with a custom paint job. From a design/aesthetic standpoint, I really like the highlight of the... I guess flower pedal(?) since it's a lot more interesting than the big ass spokes. I know that the paint code for the wheels isn't really available, though the Volvo Anthracite 932 is supposedly close. May try to keep a log of the repair/refurb attempt if there's interest...

 

[dave_f]

I think vinyl pin stripes are going to be your best bet for something like this. I've 3m stuff to red stripe old vw grills in the past and it's worked well. A little heat does wonders to make tight bends. Or you could paint them red, pin stripe your design, paint them black and then pull the pinstriping back to reveal the red first layer.

Also, just a quick tip, if you're painting your wheels with the tires on stick index cards in between the lip of the wheel and tire to mask them off. Much easier than trying to mask off the tire with tape!

 

[terr3nce]

I would also follow the second option posted by dave_f. Much easier to do and you can hassle-free achieve the design you want.

 

[CaptainSlow]

Yea... the paint, pinstripe mask, then paint again seems to be a better option for a cleaner look.

I tried putting on the pinstripe to see what it might look like, and to no surprise, the transition/turns were the most difficult part to get anywhere near right. Took a few picts for those curious.

Still think it'd look pretty good if executed properly. Might just do it to one petal instead of all 5, since all 5 means they need to be almost exactly the same to look good/decent. Also need to go through the process of stripping all the paint after looking at the wheels since the clear coat on theses wheels is damaged in too many random places.

 

[C. love]

the way that looks that was probably hand pin striping. A huge pain the ass, looks cool though. the other option is painting the strip color (red), taping that off then spraying the black or whatever over all that then clearing, also a pain

 

[StayPuft]

I'd buy a couple cans of Plastidip and practice on a wheel. Here's what I would do:
1) Plastidip wheel in red.
2) Apply 1/8" or 1/4" generic Autozone vinyl pinstripe around the edges;
3) Plastidip entire wheel black;
4) Remove pinstripe.

 

[bodytech]

do all you guys have that same paint chipping issue? not the curb rash but the parts that like just randomly chip off?

 

[zrxguy]

I've got a few random chips on mine also.

 

[CaptainSlow]

Interesting... I'll keep an eye out on paint chipping. I'd assumed it was a result of the previous owner's wheel dip and paint thinning With some tire mount/unmount.

I did try sanding the paint down a bit and noticed there's some pieces that fall off easily. Maybe it's a paint bonding issue? My current/original wheel set doesn't seem to have this problem....yet...

 

[StevenP]

I have two spots on my wheels, one on the drivers side where it doesn't see the curb at all, and I'll tell you... I have been EXTREMELY careful to stay off the curb. I was seriously scratching my head as to how they came to be, but reading the above makes me feel a little better.

 

[C. love]

yeah things chip. Wheels are close to the road and I assume rocks and all sorts of shit bounce off them on occasion. mine are chipped I get upset then I realize I drive the car on a public road its bound to happen

 

[Illmatters]

Got mine done satin black painted. Love it. Powder coat wasn't a option but don't care.
Added some type shine. Gives me 2 looks depending on my mood now

 

[CaptainSlow]

Did you blast them or strip the original paint? (Or even paint over the original paint?) Looks pretty good. Not sure I have the patience for using paint stripper, but also don't have money/facilities to blast them...

 

[Illmatters]

I paid someone to do it, he stripped the wheel then primed and painted and baked.