S-Lites: Matte Black (56K NO NO)

[TATTRAT]

Well, a quick run through of a Sunday afternoons project:

 

PROJECT S(tealth) Lites

 

First up, though they came really clean, I cleaned them up using a thick brush, pressure head on the hose and some rim cleaner. After a soak, I used a drill with wire attachment to get in behind the wheel spokes.

 

 

BEFORE:

 

 

 

AFTER:

 

 

A little light sanding removed whatever debris remained. Also, knocked down the little blemishes in the process.

 

A little rash, but 100%, nothing more then sanding was required, no filler.

 

 

First Sanding. The rim was rubbed down with mineral spirits prior, anything that may have been left, was certainly removed with the first series of sanding

 

 

And the second sanding, using a finer grit

 

 

 

Once again, wiped down with spirits and allowed to dry. Doing one wheel at a time allows a little cycle to get going. By the time you are on the last, the first is ready to go.

 

Next up was a last check for any grit, debris, hairs, lint, anything that would hurt primer and paint. The final job is only as good as the prep when it comes to paint.

 

This was ONE coat, all in all they got 3 coats of sandable filling primer. Camera died after this, so no more of the final prime. . .

 

Sanded, masked and ready to go

 

 

 

Primed

 

 

 

After 3 coats, they were matte grey(obviously)and already looking well on their way to being some fine new shoes. All the nooks and crannies got filled.

 

On to the paint!

 

Masked and base coat

 

 

 

And after 3 coats of Paint, done!

 

 

 

Installed the supplied new MINI center-caps and they were ready to mount! Not bad for an afternoons work, I am pleased.

 

This is a LOT easier to do with the tire off the rim, but shows it can be down, Masking is a little time consuming, but you need to do it right as to not get a ghetto looking edge. I am sure if there were no tires involved, it would have shaved 45min off the project.

 

and, on Li'ili'i Ka'a

 

BEFORE:

 

 

AFTER:

 

 

 

Edited November 10, 2010 by TATTRAT
duplicate/wrong pic

[Scavenger]

Looks good, where did you get your graphic done?

[TATTRAT]

I did those before MTTB. Not too bad an install, just getting around the rear quarters was a PITA.

 

Ordered from http://cutritefx.com/

[that7guy]

Nice! I was running flat black S-lites on my winter tires before I got my R105's. Now all you need is moar low

[TGGRRR (Ali)]

I love the graphics and the rims look really nice.

 

What kind of paint did you use?

 

Ali

[TATTRAT]

I love the graphics and the rims look really nice.

 

What kind of paint did you use?

 

Ali

 

 

Thanks!

 

For paint, I used engine tough enamel. Was going to see about that plastidip stuff, but went with a product I knew instead.

[TGGRRR (Ali)]

Plasti dip would never have held up. I painted my little R52 letters with it and the first time I waxed I hit the letters with the cloth and peeled off half the plasti dip.

 

I really like the look you got.

 

Ali

[gtrnka]

Those wheels look GREAT!!!

[ZugZugMcD]

very nice =) :top:

[maacodale]

Very thorough prep and impressive results! Good job!