DIY: Spring Project 2012 - Refinished LB's

[kirkkc]

First and foremost, I would like to say that this is my first DIY, so go easy on me. The entire process took just under a week, mainly because I've painted my winter steelies before and I didn't want these to look like crap. Enjoy!

Props to a couple fellow dubbers for hooking me up with these bad boys. There were some curbage on the wheels (not from them) so I thought i'd give it a go at refinishing them.


IMG_1022 by kirkkc, on Flickr


IMG_1023 by kirkkc, on Flickr


IMG_1024 by kirkkc, on Flickr

Remember kids, safety first.


IMG_1065 by kirkkc, on Flickr


IMG_1029 by kirkkc, on Flickr


IMG_1032 by kirkkc, on Flickr

Sanded and Acetoned


IMG_1033 by kirkkc, on Flickr

Instead of getting fancy and painting them pink or black, I figured I would go with the generic, stock wheel color. It looks the best, in my opinion.


IMG_1035 by kirkkc, on Flickr

Bondo'd all four wheels. These two were the worst, the others had minor stone chips.


IMG_1043 by kirkkc, on Flickr

Sanded and Acetoned again


IMG_1047 by kirkkc, on Flickr

Washed with a mix of T.S.P., paint thinner, and water...


IMG_1058 by kirkkc, on Flickr

...then pressure washed.


IMG_1060 by kirkkc, on Flickr

inside of wheel before primer...


IMG_1066 by kirkkc, on Flickr

....and after primer.


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Face of wheel before primer...


IMG_1074 by kirkkc, on Flickr

...and after primer.


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All wheels primed, cured, and ready for spray.


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After 3 coats of spray.


IMG_1086 by kirkkc, on Flickr

I cleared the fronts then cleared the backs (Yes, I did it backwards). I taped it to protect from overspray.

Taking the tape off was almost better than Christmas.


IMG_1104 by kirkkc, on Flickr

Tires will be on wheels within a few days once the paint cures


IMG_1106 by kirkkc, on Flickr

Letting the final product cure under the radiant heater


IMG_1108 by kirkkc, on Flickr

My buddy hooked me up big time and threw the tires on/balanced them for nothing. I was curious as to how they would look, so I sized them up


IMG_1120 by kirkkc, on Flickr

Time to detail them up

[DTC710]

Pics don't work... Unfortunate with how much work you put into this thread...

[kirkkc]

Pics don't work... Unfortunate with how much work you put into this thread...

Fixed

[DTC710]

Nice work man!! I'll definitely be doing this sometime... My LB's also have some major curb damage. Props for sticking with OEM silver and not doing some crazy color. They look best silver in my opinion as well. Good job!!

[.:E]

Way to save a set of oem wheel and keep them looking oem! Props!

[kirkkc]

Nice work man!! I'll definitely be doing this sometime... My LB's also have some major curb damage. Props for sticking with OEM silver and not doing some crazy color. They look best silver in my opinion as well. Good job!!

It's tedious work, but the end product is SOO satisfying, and thanks man!!

Way to save a set of oem wheel and keep them looking oem! Props!

Thanks Man!!

[Ryro]

nice work, they look brand new

[JayDD007]

wow id love to do this to mine, looks like a good summer project thanks a lot!

[JuanGLS]

I've been looking into doing this as well because when i bought my Lb they were black and i want oem silver. gonna save this for later. Nice work

[djrobot]

Came here from SKDubs! You did an amazing job!

[jbrehm]

Wow, didn't realize there were so many SK people on the 'Tex

The wheels look great! So much (crappy) work, but it's worth it in the long run

[Blue Turbo]

Great job, always loved the Long Beaches.

[cliawa1]

Directed from SKDUbs as well.. nicely done.

[greatgatzby]

great work

[mk3_vdub]

looks good. what kind of bondo did you use? id be afraid it wont stand up to heat and as soon as you try to swap the tires out the bondo around the edge will just crack off

[Iku]

[kirkkc]

nice work, they look brand new

great work

Thanks guys!

I've been looking into doing this as well because when i bought my Lb they were black and i want oem silver. gonna save this for later. Nice work

Brutal haha. If you have any questions when doing them, don't be afraid to ask!

Wow, didn't realize there were so many SK people on the 'Tex

The wheels look great! So much (crappy) work, but it's worth it in the long run

Great job, always loved the Long Beaches.

Directed from SKDUbs as well.. nicely done.

I look forward to seeing you guys soon.

looks good. what kind of bondo did you use? id be afraid it wont stand up to heat and as soon as you try to swap the tires out the bondo around the edge will just crack off

I used the generic body filler. I did quite a bit of research and didn't find a whole lot of bad on using it. Once the wheels were sanded, it was more like filling hairline cracks and stone chips, so it wasn't overly intense. I put the tires on and there hasn't been any cracking yet. I will keep you posted and with pictures in the near future though once the wheels are on and rolling

[kirkkc]

Now I know everyone who ever lived enjoy pictures, so just a little whoring on this update. I may or may not have broken the clips when I popped off my center caps... regardless, it had to be addressed.

Here is a little shot of the one that was pretty bad:


IMG_1125 by kirkkc, on Flickr

And here is that one after I plastic welded it.


IMG_1126 by kirkkc, on Flickr

I used our soldering iron vs using our soldering gun, mainly because I feel that I have more control with it.


IMG_1128 by kirkkc, on Flickr

I made stitching lines across the seams on both the inside and outside of the clips. They seems as good as new.. ish haha


IMG_1131 by kirkkc, on Flickr

[06A3Stage2]

Looks good dude!

[Zach!]

Great work

[subisan]

Solid work!!

[kirkkc]

Just a little update..

I've put on a couple thousand km on so far; lots of city, lots of highway. So far, there is no sign of cracking and no sign of flaking

My main concern was the bondo expanding with the heat. So far, myth BUSTED.

Have a great night everyone.




Oh yeah,
576477_10151708215590364_820230363_23965672_210630 5324_n by kirkkc, on Flickr


IMG_1197 by kirkkc, on Flickr


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[h24VAGler]

what spacers are you running? .... 10 front 20 rear?

[kirkkc]

Yupp, 10's and 20's.

[jayjevans0304]

[passattimmy]

nice job might have to do this with the aristos... guy before me evidently didnt understand what a curb was

[mk4vrjtta]

what was with the pic with the green tape? what were you doing ?

[kirkkc]

nice job might have to do this with the aristos... guy before me evidently didnt understand what a curb was

Hahaha. I'll tell you one thing though, once it's done, you won't regret it.

what was with the pic with the green tape? what were you doing ?

I wasn't thinking and I sprayed the faces with clear coat first. I had to tape the faces when I cleared the back to protect it from over spray. It wasn't a serious issue, it just took longer.