Graphite OE SS Wheels
#22
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I can't say I'd have the ***** to do this if I didn't have spare wheels to practice on. The two I painted were the OE wheels given back to me, for some odd reason, after my wifes accident a couple summers ago. I figured they'd ship those back to Keystone for refinishing...glad they didn't.
Unfortunately, because I treated these as "test" wheels, I didn't do a great job on the scratches & gouges that were on them and are still somewhat visible. Now I'm not in the mood to fix & paint 4 more...unless that black chrome spray looks good...so these are a finished product.
I think the big test will be getting them to look identical while doing them at different times. Sure, doing two at a time is easy when they're on the same side, but regardless of which finish I finally decide on, I need to make sure that they are pretty damn close when it comes time to rotate the tires.
Unfortunately, because I treated these as "test" wheels, I didn't do a great job on the scratches & gouges that were on them and are still somewhat visible. Now I'm not in the mood to fix & paint 4 more...unless that black chrome spray looks good...so these are a finished product.
I think the big test will be getting them to look identical while doing them at different times. Sure, doing two at a time is easy when they're on the same side, but regardless of which finish I finally decide on, I need to make sure that they are pretty damn close when it comes time to rotate the tires.
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Oh, hell no am I stripping these...lmfao. I think the scratches are noticeable to someone looking for them, but to anyone else, these look really well done. I no longer have the will to treat these as test wheels.
I didn't have any time to get some of that black chrome [yesterday], so I'm going to try to get there later [today] and grab a pack.
I didn't have any time to get some of that black chrome [yesterday], so I'm going to try to get there later [today] and grab a pack.
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I picked up that Black Chrome kit yesterday from advance for ~$16. No time to mess with it until Sunday or so, but I'm going to put it on one of the wheels I had them take the tire off of on Friday. I'll keep you posted.
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The deed is done. I took a little bit of time and added a few coats of "black chrome" spray on the wheels. It said to wait 20min betw coats, and I think I waited about 2, instead. Probably put 7-8 coats on overall.
It's a little late here so lighting wasn't optimal for non-flash photos, but you get the idea. I placed the center cap in one of the pics so you can see the difference first-hand.
Here's the stock wheel:
![](http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/BuffaloSS/8b1b915d.jpg)
and here it is after 7-8. These are all pre-clear:
![](http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/BuffaloSS/0f3c438b.jpg)
![](http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/BuffaloSS/5b0e00b3.jpg)
and here's a comparison shot w the centercap placed.
![](http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/BuffaloSS/5279d1c2.jpg)
If I find the time tmrw, I'll place it by the car and snap a photo for reference.
It's a little late here so lighting wasn't optimal for non-flash photos, but you get the idea. I placed the center cap in one of the pics so you can see the difference first-hand.
Here's the stock wheel:
![](http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/BuffaloSS/8b1b915d.jpg)
and here it is after 7-8. These are all pre-clear:
![](http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/BuffaloSS/0f3c438b.jpg)
![](http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/BuffaloSS/5b0e00b3.jpg)
and here's a comparison shot w the centercap placed.
![](http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d94/BuffaloSS/5279d1c2.jpg)
If I find the time tmrw, I'll place it by the car and snap a photo for reference.
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I forgot to mention that since this is just a tint and not a paint, it doesn't hide blemishes well. Unfortunately, for the same reason, you can't do any special prep work to eliminate the blemishes yourself. Your wheels need to be nearly perfect before you decide to use this product.
Regarding the spray itself, it comes out in a nice, straight vertical line, which makes getting good coverage with a side to side sweeping motion. It was much easier to paint w this than it was w the graphite spray.
Regarding the spray itself, it comes out in a nice, straight vertical line, which makes getting good coverage with a side to side sweeping motion. It was much easier to paint w this than it was w the graphite spray.
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Yea, it is. I'm not a big fan of Corona, but we had a party this weekend and that's all that was left in the fridge.
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I live a few minutes away from Ralph Wilson Stadium....Lackawanna/ Orchard Park area
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Agreed.
#38