Totmacher's maybe not right but it works Build

[QUOTE="totmacher, post: 90177


[/QUOTE]
Thanks for info. One more question. What did you paint these wheels with? They look great.

 

Thanks.
All Dupli-color automotive paints. I painted before mounting tires.
Primer, Universal Metallic Black, Barcelona Red Metallic, Clearcoat.

It's been over a year, a few wheeling trips and lots of gravel roads. They've got some chips but you only notice that when they're clean really.
When I clean them, I use the Turtle Wax Ice spray wax and wipe down with a cotton rag.

Details if you want to try it out:
Scuffed the shine out a little with wire brush.
Wipe well with rubbing alcohol.
2 light coats primer.
Dry completely (couple days) then sanded gently with 400 grit sand paper.
Clean with compressed air and then wipe with rubbing alcohol.
A few coats of the black paint. Let it dry a couple days.
Tape off and then paint the red a few coats. Because it's going over the black, it takes a few coats to really be "red".
Let dry then removed tape carefully.
A few coats of clear.
Don't remember for sure but I think I rubbed lightly with a super fine scotchbrite pad and cleaned with alcohol again before doing the clearcoat.

edit: removed the center caps and painted them separately from the wheels. Did the red logo on the caps by hand with a very small brush. Sprayed the red paint in a plastic tray to get it onto the brush.

 

Awesome. Duplicolor makes a MGM, I was thinking about just paint matching. But now I think I will try out some accent colors as well.

 

Just take your time and be careful when taping. Patience is the key. A spare set of wheels helps too while you take your time. I had picked up this set of stock wheels cheap mainly just to test out the painting.
It did get sort of expensive doing the Duplicolor. If I were to do it again, I'd have the local paint shop put some auto grade paint into larger spray cans. I don't know if all paint shops can do that but I know at least 1 in Memphis can do it.

 

More decals, black taillights, black headlights, and color-matched grill. Rear bumper should be here in a few weeks and then I'll finally have the chrome bits all gone.


edit: all decals in these pics (except the stock TRD bedside) are from @CBoy808 . thanks!

 

Think I found out where water keeps getting into the fog lights. Even the one that was replaced under warranty at dealer recently is getting moisture when I drive in the rain. Filled a housing with water and watched for where it came out from. It was the knob on the housing that does vertical aiming. Dried it completely, aimed the lights, then put silicone all around the adjuster knob. We'll see if that takes care of it.

 

soon...

 

Bumper done.
I like the look.
One question for @Pelfreybilt , how much gap should there be below taillight? I have 1 inch gap and bumper is up as high as it'll go.

 

Finally satisfied with how clean I got the radiator.

 

Good stuff coming soon.
My wallet is empty.

 

Got a shell (thanks @rngr) and a Demello front bumper (thanks @kwiklot) and some King coilovers (thanks @Downsouth Motorsports )

 

Dude! Looking awesome.

 

And a TW decal. Looking great!

 

Twinsies!!

 

Truck is looking great!

 

Hitch mount cargo tray not quite finished yet but close enough to use. Held up just fine on its first use and fit the trash can perfectly. It's like I planned it that way or something.

 

Fog lights finally arrived. The size is a nice fit in the Demello bumper.
Soldered some H11 sockets on so it's just plug-n-play. No cutting the OEM connectors.
LED projector with amber halo.
Kinda wish they were brighter but on the other hand, I think I can run these on the street without bothering oncoming cars.

 

Looks good... but you and the rest of the guys in the tn thread need to slow down, I'm getting left behind

 

Flex in the driveway.
There's still room for slightly bigger tires without cutting.