Painting stock wheels

I personally do not care for the design of stock wheels, so I'm against painting them.

If you do paint them, highly recommend taking your time and doing a lot of research. I think its rare for painted wheels to look good. Most times you can always tell someone painted them and they look faded and the paint peels and chips.
I also recommend painting the whole wheel depending on your color choice (remove the tire). I hate when I see trucks paint their stock wheels black and they turn a corner and you can tell the wheels arent actually black from the inside lol bothers me but might not bother you.

It really is all about prep and taking your time.

 

Saw Grey plasti dip at the local Walmart

 

I plastidipped my stock wheels years ago just to see if i'd like the look of black before committing to powder coating them and have been so happy with that stuff I've never moved forward with actual powder coat. The only time I've had to touch them up is after getting new tires due to the machine scraping off the plastidip. Since it self-levels its easy to touch up. I did 10 coats starting out very very light and gradually working up towards the 10 coat and feel this is why its held up for so many years.

 

@PA wilds Taco

Finished up the first one today after i got off of work, but ran out of time so ill be doing the rest tomorrow. Im pleased with how its turning out so far!

 

I dont like the stock Tacoma wheels but a good paint job sure makes all the difference. A lot cheaper than buying new wheels.

 

For the first ever, I regret selling my stock wheels. This looks hot AF.

 

Before


After


Heres the finished product @PA wilds Taco

Im happy with how it turned out! I ended up with just enough for all four and i might still be able to do my 5th matching spare

 

How out of balance was that tire? I've never seen that many wheel weights in one spot before.

 

Honestly, im not sure. I bought them new and theyre load range e so im pretty sure they had trouble balancing it. Ive never had a single issue with it though, and ive put 12k miles on them since i got them in january, most of which are on the highway

 

2 coats Rustoleum midnight black metallic. 3 Coats Rustoleum crystal clear. 70mm emblems from E-bay.

 

Just wire brushed and primed my steelies before 3 coats of Walmart spray paint. Has held up for almost 4 months so far.

 

Looks like you removed the wheels before dipping. How long did it take you start to finish? Trying to figure out timing with this project. Most likely with wheels still on.

 

I actually left them on while I did this. There was over spray onto the tires, but I waited until the very last coat to peel it off and maintain the lip over the edge of the wheel's rim. Once you get a peel line started and take your time it will come off without messing up your finish on the wheel itself. This was a very tedious process but if you take your time you can do them while on the truck. What'd you can also do is attempt to run blue tape around the edge of the tire. Keep in mind you'll have to scrub your tires really good with de-greaser to get any oils (like tire shine) off of them for the tape to stick. I chose not to do this though after having tape fall off before even beginning to spray.

 

clean em really well, scuff them a little to remove shiney areas, clean thoroughly again.
Not hard to make if look good. Spray light coats so you don't get runs. If you're patient, you can even tape off areas to do multiple colors. I did black & red on factory wheels. Did bronze & gray on my aftermarkets.

 

It would just powdercoat. I'm a shitty painter so that alone would stop me, powder coating is stronger and I personally think it usually looks better when compared to painted wheels

 

Can I get a clear pic of that tan on red? I'm really debating a softopper after seeing some cool things done with cross bars that fit underneath.

 

This is the best one ive got on my phone right now, but i already posted it above. I can get another when i get off work if youd like, just let me know



Also mine is barcelona red, where as based on your year model, i think you have a radiant red

 

More than quality. The other was just washed out. Definitely food for thought. That's the Softopper, not the Best, right? Windows are pointless to me if I can roll the front corner for the pups. How is yours holding up?

 

Yep, thats a softopper. Ive only had it for a month or so but i drive on dirt roads everyday and its holding up great. Love mine so far, i highly recommend it. From what ive read, the build quality is a little better on the softoppers and the windows seem to hold up for longer. I guess only time will tell, but its great if you ever need to use the bed for something. I put mine down in a matter of about 5 minutes by myself this past weekend. That would be impossible with a fiberglass cap. So far the only downfall ive noticed is less visibility out of the back when changing lanes, but its not bad with a short bed, i imagine its a little harder to adapt to if you had a long bed.

 

Did you take your tires off to paint them? I don't have the capability to take off then put tires back on. If so, did you just tape off the rubber?