# DIY: Customized wheels, Part Deux \*56k no\* **URL:** \ **Category:** Builds\ **Created:** [May 10, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878 "2006-05-10T17:52:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LAFENGAS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lafengas/32/7573_2.png) [@LAFENGAS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LAFENGAS)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 5:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/1 "2006-05-10T17:52:09Z")
I did a similar project last spring, but wasn’t very happy with the results. Instead of giving the lips a brushed look like i did last year, i decided to polish them. Also last year, i painted the rims the color i wanted… this time i sucked it up and powdercoated them a color i bit darker then i originally wanted to. My main reason was for more contrast between the centers and the lips. Anyway, without getting too much into detail. 1.) Sandblasting took about 6 hrs. 2.) Sanding/Buffing took about 4 hrs. 3.) Polishing took about 10 hrs. 4.) Masking took about 2 hrs. 5.) All powdercoating took about 4 hrs. Here are pics of all of the steps: Wheel polishing. I used a drill, the air grinder was freezing my hand. ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished.JPG) after lots of polishing: ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_01.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_01.JPG) ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_02.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_02.JPG) starting masking off the polished lip to protect it from powdercoating. ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_03.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_03.JPG) I thought this was a cool idea. I went to the local BMW dealership and took all of the used wheelweights they had thrown away at the time. Removed the two sided tape from the backside and sandblasted them. This way I could powdercoat them to match my wheels, and they won’t stick out. ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_04.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_04.JPG) Here the lip is completely masked and hung, awaiting the powder. ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_05.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_05.JPG) Freshly applied “Gunmetal” powder: ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_06.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_06.JPG) Started to melt the powder and took them out of the oven to remove the masking. By doing this, i remove the masking while the powder is soft (like tacky paint). If i removed this when the powder was fully cured, it would peel the powdercoat and i wouldn’t get a nice clean edge. ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_07.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_07.JPG) Outermost masking removed: ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_08.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_08.JPG) and the inner masking removed…fully exposing my polished lips: ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_09.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_09.JPG) Still not done, i want to protect the aluminum from any kind of corrosion and from road debris… so i clearcoat the entire rim. I goes on white, but will cure absolutely clear. Spraying the clear: ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_11.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_11.JPG) and fresh out of the oven in their completed stage: ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_12.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_12.JPG) ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_13.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_13.JPG) ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_14.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_14.JPG) for pimp factor, matching wheel weights: ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_10.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_10.JPG) VOILA! ![http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_15.JPG](http://ubrf.ddetail.com/lafengas/wheels_project/wheel_polished_15.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![MaximaSE98](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/maximase98/32/7600_2.png) [@MaximaSE98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MaximaSE98)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 7:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/2 "2006-05-10T19:05:25Z")
once again Josh…there is no one better at the DIY than you ---
**Author:** ![Locutus](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/locutus/32/7574_2.png) [@Locutus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Locutus)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 7:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/3 "2006-05-10T19:11:41Z")
p i m p ---
**Author:** ![MaximaSE98](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/maximase98/32/7600_2.png) [@MaximaSE98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MaximaSE98)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 7:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/4 "2006-05-10T19:13:30Z")
hmmmm…me = new garage with powder coater…hmmmmm Josh will have to personally show me secrets ---
**Author:** ![Jam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jam/32/7235_2.png) [@Jam](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jam)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 7:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/5 "2006-05-10T19:14:37Z")
wait, where are the random food items sitting on the lip? pfffft. this diy is gay if you cant fit a gallon of milk on the shit. j/k yet another awesome diy read. well done! ---
**Author:** ![2TurboZ](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/2turboz/32/7577_2.png) [@2TurboZ](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/2TurboZ)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 7:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/6 "2006-05-10T19:33:55Z")
You = So good in so many ways…😛 ---
**Author:** ![SkunkApe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/skunkape/32/7575_2.png) [@SkunkApe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SkunkApe)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 7:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/7 "2006-05-10T19:52:59Z")
:tup: ---
**Author:** ![Jeller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@Jeller](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jeller)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 8:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/8 "2006-05-10T20:24:27Z")
Seriously, where do you find the time? Nice work as always, they look much better than previously :tup: Jeller ---
**Author:** ![blueaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blueaccord/32/7431_2.png) [@blueaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/blueaccord)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/9 "2006-05-10T21:29:54Z")
wow simply amazing! ---
**Author:** ![Mike93](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mike93/32/7325_2.png) [@Mike93](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mike93)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 9:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/10 "2006-05-10T21:47:57Z")
Glorious!!! Look even better in person :tup: ---
**Author:** ![HYPEville](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/hypeville/32/7226_2.png) [@HYPEville](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/HYPEville)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2006, 11:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/11 "2006-05-10T23:06:13Z")
that’s a lot of time, but one hell of a final product. :tup: as usual ---
**Author:** ![Geoff](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/geoff/32/6104_2.png) [@Geoff](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Geoff)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 9:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/12 "2006-05-11T09:11:51Z")
good lord. clear powdercoat is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever heard of :tup: ---
**Author:** ![focusinprogress](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/focusinprogress/32/7227_2.png) [@focusinprogress](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/focusinprogress)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 11:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/13 "2006-05-11T11:26:23Z")
man you are on fire, you really do great work. :tup: i really like them. how mych would you charge for something of this nature? ---
**Author:** ![jay\_g](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jay_g/32/111288_2.png) [@jay\_g](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jay_g)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 12:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/14 "2006-05-11T12:12:53Z")
why only polish the outside of the lip ---
**Author:** ![Daddie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/daddie/32/7621_2.png) [@Daddie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Daddie)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 12:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/15 "2006-05-11T12:15:30Z")
Omg, want to sekks? ---
**Author:** ![ly555is](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3bc359/32.png) [@ly555is](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ly555is)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2006, 12:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/16 "2006-05-11T12:41:06Z")
motion to sticky all your DIYs ---
**Author:** ![steve1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/steve1/32/7283_2.png) [@steve1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/steve1)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 11:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/17 "2006-05-31T11:14:56Z")
wow, that’s an awsome DYI. ---
**Author:** ![STEALTTH](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/stealtth/32/7582_2.png) [@STEALTTH](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/STEALTTH)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2006, 11:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/18 "2006-05-31T11:23:35Z")
Nice job foose ---
**Author:** ![blk\_hatch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@blk\_hatch](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/blk_hatch)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2006, 12:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/19 "2006-09-30T12:39:04Z")
i feel like i should be paying a monthly subscription fee to view your DIY threads. you need to open your own shop man. i bet you could make a fortune with your own line of high-end BMW products… i mean… your bumpers, seats, interior, wheels, and CF & powdercoating work are some of thee most top notch shit i’ve even seen on the entire intraweb and yet your on nyspeed… were not worthy! ---
**Author:** ![Choda](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/choda/32/7347_2.png) [@Choda](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Choda)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2006, 12:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878/20 "2006-09-30T12:58:02Z")
no pics for me [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/diy-customized-wheels-part-deux-56k-no/11878.md?page=2)