Newly Painted Rims + Bridgestone D697s

[raywise]

The ol' Nav has had a bit of a change with the std alloys being given a bit of a colour change. Well the alloys that I bought off Al early last year that is.

The whole process involved scrubbing the alloys clean, especially the inner rim, finishing off with the Gerni, sanding the factory clear coat off, then getting ready for the paint. On both sides of the rim I used 3 coats of VHT High Temp Engine Enamel Primer, 3 coats of VHT Satin Black Wheel Paint, and on the outer only, 3 coats VHT Clearcoat. I thought the satin black looked great on its own, but decided to put the clear coat on as added protection from brake dust etc. The new tyres are Bridgestone Dueler D697s, 265/70/16s.

I reckon they turned out ok, got a bit sick of the silver wheels that every car on the road has. Heres a few piccies, and I'll be selling my original 4 alloys with the Pirelli tyres still on them if anyone is interested, will put this in the for sale section.

 

[d22dave]

Just looked at the finished product in your garage photos, They look good on the nav

 

[raywise]

Thanks Dave. The black look is not for everyone, but I like it. The first photo is the satin black only, second photo is with 3 coats of clear.
For an all terrain tyre the new Bridgestones are quite chunky. Will see how they perform in the coming months.

 

[d22dave]

Been thinking about painting my rims, Looking at yours i like the flat look before the clear,

 

[raywise]

Yeah, I was a bit torn between clear/no clear. Satin Black on its own has a great look, much much better than gloss black. I'm glad I didn't go gloss black + clear, would have been too much. But, this way is a bit of a compromise, plus a bit of protection.

It was fairly easy to do as well, spent around $100.00 on paint, (did the spare as well, ).

 

[fourocker]

Good job, they look nice and much better than the original silver to me, I've thought about doing this too. Satin with clear is definitely better than just gloss black, I was considering charcoal hammertone, similar to the factory steel bull bar on mine, my camper trailer is done in this and I think it would be nice, a slightly greyish black.

 

[RustyNav09]

They look tops mate. Great prep and finish. The Bridgestone ats are great. I like mine, they are quiet and chunky. They also have the same depth of tread as my brother's coppers at3 he has on his patrol.

Good stuff

 

[ljacko78]

Nice job Ray. Actually haven't seen your ute for a while - the sus lift looks nice. But where's the snorkel mate!

 

[04SilverSTR]

lookin good!

 

[raywise]

Thanks guys, it was actually fun to do, Mrs Ray said I have to do the alloy bar now, but I think that would be a job for the powdercoaters.

I haven't got a snorkel yet Luke, been spending some money on the old caravan, some repairs around the house etc.

I've just thrown up a couple more piccies, gives a better idea of the painted rims in full view.

 

[mad possum]

and get one of those black arb rear bars and take ur side steps off (ur trouses stay cleaner without the side steps and u get better ground clearance) looks nice tho

 

[ljacko78]

I think I paid about $140 for powdercoaters to do my bar - of its going to take you 6-8 hrs to sand and paint several coats, its prob worth the $$ to get someone else to do it. And you might get it cheaper than me

 

[raywise]

Guess how much I was quoted from various powdercoaters on the Gold Coast and Brisbane for the rims? Cheapest was $390.00, and it went all the way to $600.00.

Love to know where all these $60.00 per rim mobs are I keep hearing about, .
Cost ruled out powdercoating, because Mrs Ray said to me, do you want a new Beaudesert exhaust or not ?

 

[Bryce]

Love the look of the new rims ray.

Ive been waiting a while to see the finished product and it does look the goods. And not like everyone else i like it better with the clear on.

 

[Eug]

thanks for putting this up. just looking to do something similar to my rims. amazing how much extra shine the clear makes.

i'm guessing you used aerosol cans, would using a spray gun be any benefit? looking to do my steel rims in matte black.

 

[RustyNav09]

Cost ruled out powdercoating, because Mrs Ray said to me, do you want a new Beaudesert exhaust or not ?

Costs always rule mate. You mention Beaudesert Exhaust, do they do a VG33 exhaust with extractors do they? i would like to hear what it sounds liek when it goes on cause it will sound neat.

Rusty

 

[mitch92]

They look awesome, specially with the clear coat.

 

[raywise]

I have a spray gun outfit but decided to do cans, less mess etc. If you wanted to do 2pac paint then spray gun is necessary. I'm quite impressed with how the VHT wheel paint went, very fine finish, no runs, worked out well.

 

[raywise]

Hey Russ, yeah I contacted Brian at Beauy Exhausts last year, I think it was Wildcat and Hurricane who made a set of headers especially for the VG33E. Brian did say it was a bitch of a job though, and would need the Nav for approx 1.5 days. But I'm sure it will be worth it.

 

[raywise]

They look awesome, specially with the clear coat.

Yeah, the clear is good Mitch, the Satin Black on its own looked great as well I think. But from what I've read the clear gives a layer of protection, although touch ups will be harder.