Painted White Hubcaps on a Blizzard Pearl

Not bad. How about a closer up photo from the side?

 

Interesting look, Mac!

Just a bit stark, as the car is a pearl and the wheels are pure white, but, from the rear 3/4 view it does look pretty good.
Did you remove the chrome plated Toyota logos before painting or just mask them?

Dan

 

The wheels look great! Good job, definitely something I would do if I had the white.

A little off topic but you mentioned the DDM HIDs, I ordered them also, and was just wondering where you mounted the ballasts. Thanks.

 

Those look pretty sweet! I have my hub caps sitting in the garage, this might be a cool project... I wonder how hard it would be to match the Blizzard Pearl paint and have them patch the body paint?

 

Not too hard at all, Paul....

If you have a Hobby Shop near you, see if they have (or can get) Pactra brand Polycarb paint for R/C car bodies. This paint bonds to the plastic beautifully and stays flexible so long as you don't over apply. They do a pearl white that is close enough that the front plate frame I have painted with it looks like I used the factory Blizzard Pearl paint.
Buy 2 cans of the Pactra white to use as a base coat (should be enough for 4 covers), and 1 can of the pearl should suffice for all 4.
Prep the covers using whatever method is available and comfortable(prep sol, scuff pads, alcohol, etc). Remember, the better your prep the better the finish.
I might remove the chromed logos rather than try to mask them.
After a solid coat of the white, build up enough pearl that they match your car's paint (too much and it goes a bit yellow in certain light).
After fully curing (2-4 days) you can either a) leave them the sort of matte finish they'll now have, or b) use a few coats of Krylon Triple Thick Clear Glaze (available at Michael's or other craft stores) to give them a nice glossy look and make them easier to keep clean. (the Krylon has UV inhibitors to resist yellowing, and stays flexible as well).

A bit time consuming, but not hard...

 

Thanks.. Sounds like a great winter project, I'll have plenty of time and they'll be ready for spring... I wonder if this would work for the Fog Light enclosures as well, bet those would look sweet if they matched the body paint!

 

The wheel covers are most likely ABS plastic which will take the paint pretty well, but the fog light enclosures appear to be a softer plastic-maybe PVC or Urethane.
You'd probably have to go to a Pep Boys or the like and buy a can of Bulldog Adhesion Promoter. This is a spray designed to be used on more flexible materials. Follow the directions exactly and all should be fine. My only concern is that those pieces are so exposed that chipping is a major concern.
I might try black instead of the pearl white. It'll be easier to touch up.

 

Dan,

I'm not meaning the blanks that came on the car, I have a set of the aftermarket fog light sold by the PC Shop coming, I was thinking of painting the enclosures on those before installing them... I would think they are a harder plastic...

 

Sorry Paul, I did misunderstand.

I'm not sure what that material is, but I'd still go with the process mentioned above. That area is still subject to a lot of direct impact and would be a lot more durable.

I did give some thought as to what to do with the "blanks", but I'm not up to the surgery needed to install the fogs (and I don't have a lift or ramps available). The spot mirror idea was OK, but the 2" mirrors are a bit small, and I've not found ones of a proper size.

Luckily I'm in no hurry....

 

OK here's my honest assessment of your painted wheel covers.

It's certainly a unique look that matches the car, but is far from looking cool since the 15" is just pathetic. I applaud your workmanship though.

 

You know what, I really like the way that looks. I was always a fan of the pearl painted wheels on the early 90s Audis and on the all-white '87 Sable.

You've given me an idea...

 

Mac Attack,

Well done on the painted wheel covers.

As to wheel treatments, most often the discussion is between painting
vs. powder coating the wheels. I went with powder coat. I've said many
time that painting the wheel covers would be less expensive, and easily
reversible. Folks have talked about doing it, but few if any have gone
ahead and done it. You did, and it's a great job.

I know this won't help you, but for other folks who may be thinking
along these same lines but with other colors, here are two paint
suppliers that have Toyota colors in shake and spray cans, and the
recommended compatible primer and clear top coat as well. They are
probably more expensive than mixing and matching supplies from
hobby shops, etc. But the color match should be more certain.

PaintScratch Touch-Up Paint (rs), Spray Cans

Dr.ColorChip Custom Automotive Touch-Up Paint Kit

One point with darker colors, the wheel/cover combo may look better if
there is a thin contrast ring right at the edge of the rim. Don't know if it
can easiy be masked off on the OEM wheel covers though. Here's what
I'm talking about on my Touring wheels, but I doubt it could be as wide
on the covers:

Before:


After:


Again, well done. It looks like you've gotten some folks exited about
trying something similar.

 

Yeah I have a set on my 02 explorer, pretty impressed with them and for the price cant go wrong.

I ordered the 6000k for the prius like my explorer so I hope itll be good because for me the stock bulbs arent bright enough.

When the kit comes tuesday I will try to mount them the same way you did because it seems like a better way than i was going to do. Thanks again for the reply.

 

That makes the car look tons better than with just the stock grey.........We went for the V, but if I would have bought the IV This is something I would have done..........LOOKS GREAT

 

Like the tint too..... What percentages did you use?