how to do it properly? should i go to a auto shop to have them paint it? or im better off buying new set of wheels.: confused...
Best would be to have it powder coated rather than painted for durability. I'm guessing you would be looking at easily over $100-200 each after tire mounting to have them professionally powder coated. Unless you really love the stock wheels it is probably more economical to buy a new set. Of course, you can go the rattle can route, but it would not be nearly as durable.
Plasti dip them when it's already black? OP, what color did you want? If you don't like black and prefer silver, just do a local swap with a 2010-11 owner and get their silver alloys and you can give them your black alloys. Just advertise in private sales. Plenty of members here who think the grass is greener on the other side.
I painted my stock 17" wheels . Its only been about 6000 miles so far but they are holding up fine. Cost me about 25.00 in Rustolem rattle cans, steel wool and sand paper. 1 coat primer-3 coats black-3 coats clear. probably took 3 hours to do. I reinstalled the wheels that same afternoon because I needed to have the car so it took about 4 days before it completely hardened
Check out Check out the website dipyourcar - for plastidipping your rims. It's easy and cheap. You can peel it off and change the color anytime. Heck you can even do your whole car for cheap.
I love the PIP rims too, if only because it's the ONLY 15" Prius rim where Toyota used a bit of common sense: gave the customers what they want. I managed to snag a used but decent shape set a while back, but definitely hanging onto them: In the 'States it is much easier to find/ship them, in particular States where the PIP was intitially sold. You can buy them new through online US Toyota dealerships, for about $260 apiece, plus center cap for $11: WHEELS for 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In | Toyota Parts
