Just re finished my fuchs wheels RSR style

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by Bob Harriman

When masking off the petals and rim how do you get the tape formed on the petals like magnus did? It looks like you almost have to mask with tape and then shape with a blade. The rim looks workable but the petal curves and radials looks very hard to do.

Use some fine line masking tape - it's narrow and flexible - and then use a good painter's grade masking tape to cover the petals just over the fine line tape. You need a flexible vinyl tape near the edge to give you that sharp transition, so that it won't allow feathering and bleeding like many traditional masking tapes will.

[nickyclyde]

I think those wheels came out beyond beautiful!

[mamut]

The problem with this finish is keeping them clean!!!GLWT!!!Great looking wheels!, cheers.

[Elombard]

^ really?? I would think the automotive paint (with hardener) would be easy to clean? Just like washing a car.

[Reiver]

Those look great. Someday maybe......

[mamut]

Sorry, I thought it was RSR type finish to the last detail, not RSR "style", the original RSR finish was a pain (and is) to clean.,cheers, Stef.

Originally Posted by Elombard

^ really?? I would think the automotive paint (with hardener) would be easy to clean? Just like washing a car.

[enzoducoing]

Yes mamut I stated from the first post that it was RSR style since I am only imitating with several paint processes, as close as I can, the original anodized finish of the RSR wheels. An anodized piece of aluminum is cleaner than "natural" or non-anodized aluminum, which is very porous, but since the surface of a painted piece is nonporous it certainly stays cleaner and needs just a light wash to keep spotless. One other reason for one to have this done very close to home is the fact that in the real world, wheels scrape. There is no way to avoid all road obstacles and wheels receive a daily abuse just in "normal" driving situations. How would you feel to see your $$$$ Harvey Weidman-anodized RSR gems, which took 5 months to return from his heavily demanded shop, scraped by a pothole. I'd rather know that I can re-do my RSR finish with little $, little work, and have them back on the road in three days, to me it is a no-brainier. I have all the respect for the great wheel shops, but I recommend you either do it yourself if you have the tools and knowledge, or find the nearest shop who is willing to experiment with your ideas. You'll find that if you take the plunge it will be a huge money-saving, time-efficient and satisfying project that will make you self-sufficient in the "my wheels are always perfect" department.

[Bob Harriman]

Originally Posted by Canada Kev

Use some fine line masking tape - it's narrow and flexible - and then use a good painter's grade masking tape to cover the petals just over the fine line tape. You need a flexible vinyl tape near the edge to give you that sharp transition, so that it won't allow feathering and bleeding like many traditional masking tapes will.

Do you have a picture for an example of fine line masking tape. My wheels are polished throughout and I want to put the black back on them. Doing them myself makes me f***ing paranoid of messing something up. The popular wheel restoration guys (Harvey and Al) just have too long of a turnaround. I was thinking I could mask them off and spray paint them. Has anyone done that or know if that's an option

?

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by Bob Harriman

Do you have a picture for an example of fine line masking tape. My wheels are polished throughout and I want to put the black back on them. Doing them myself makes me f***ing paranoid of messing something up. The popular wheel restoration guys (Harvey and Al) just have too long of a turnaround. I was thinking I could mask them off and spray paint them. Has anyone done that or know if that's an option.

The fine line tape is just a narrow tape, and thus more flexible for making curves. It's typically made of vinyl or a similar type plastic that will leave a sharp edge to the paint. You won't get any feathering or bleed like many types of "masking tape" will allow. I believe fine line is actually a brand name, but it refers to any narrow tape that is flexible for precise masking. The vinyl tape, as opposed to the paperish kinda stuff, will give you the best, sharpest edge. Some people have used electrical tape with success, but I prefer to use the proper tool for the job.

Just mask the edges with the fine tape (I would probably use 3/16 or 1/4 inch wide stuff) and then cover the rest of the wheel you don't want painted. Just make sure it's onto the edge tape, with some good, regular old masking tape. Just be sure it is stuck down really good.

You can find this kind of fine masking tape at any automotive paint shop, and probably many other places like Napa, your FLAPS, or maybe even Home Depot or Lowes. There's nothing really special about it other than its flexibility and the edge it will leave.

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by Bob Harriman

Do you have a picture for an example of fine line masking tape. My wheels are polished throughout and I want to put the black back on them. Doing them myself makes me f***ing paranoid of messing something up. The popular wheel restoration guys (Harvey and Al) just have too long of a turnaround. I was thinking I could mask them off and spray paint them. Has anyone done that or know if that's an option.

The fine line tape is just a narrow tape, and thus more flexible for making curves. It's typically made of vinyl or a similar type plastic that will leave a sharp edge to the paint. You won't get any feathering or bleed like many types of "masking tape" will allow. I believe fine line is actually a brand name, but it refers to any narrow tape that is flexible for precise masking. The vinyl tape, as opposed to the paperish kinda stuff, will give you the best, sharpest edge. Some people have used electrical tape with success, but I prefer to use the proper tool for the job.

Just mask the edges with the fine tape (I would probably use 3/16 or 1/4 inch wide stuff) and then cover the rest of the wheel you don't want painted. Just make sure it's onto the edge tape, with some good, regular old masking tape. Just be sure it is stuck down really good.

You can find this kind of fine masking tape at any automotive paint shop, and probably many other places like Napa, your FLAPS, or maybe even Home Depot or Lowes. There's nothing really special about it other than its flexibility and the edge it will leave.

[joefrantz]

Here's an example:

I used eighth inch vinyl pin striping tape, from pep boys, to outline the border areas. I followed that with black vinyl electrical tape, and, finally, blue masking tape to fill in the open spaces. Sanded the area to be painted with 800 grit, primed with black self etching primer and top coated with wurth satin black.

You also need to protect the lug nut recesses. You don't want paint on the mating surfaces. I masked the exposed areas of the nuts with electrical tape and set them in place before spraying.

There are many variations on this theme - especially on paint choices.

[Bob Harriman]

Thanks Joe. You guys really got balls taking things like that on. The photos have given me a world of confidence to try. One more photo though please. The finished product.

Bob

[esonefour]

After looking at a few threads on here I got mine done.
Not that happy with how they turned out but there ok.


Definitely look good on darker colored cars.

[enzoducoing]

Here is the end result of the set.

[Canada Kev]

Sweet...

[Unobtanium-inc]

I did a set of 7/9x16 years ago. The original black paint on the wheels was excellent, so I masked off the area I did NOT want to have the anodized look, then media blasted the paint off the spokes, etc. The end result looked a LOT like anodized aluminum alloy. Sorry I don't have any pics.

I used electrical tape for the masking and it worked perfectly. It stretches around all of the curves. -- Matt

[MANichols1]

After trying a few different types of tape, I found the 3M fine detailing tape worked best. Taping off the pedals requires the tape to be flexible yet seal. Especially in the tight space near the lug nut area. Absolutely no bleed.

[MANichols1]

I should clarify that the 3M fine line tape under the masking tape is 1/4 width. Again, worked great.

[JQ911]

I'm impressed, looks great. I just wished I had the skills to do that. I hope one of you live nearby so I can bring my rims and have it done.

[rbogh901]

Originally Posted by MANichols1

I should clarify that the 3M fine line tape under the masking tape is 1/4 width. Again, worked great.

Thanks for your contribution. Your wheels look great.
I've been watching these RSR finishing threads for some time. What did you choose for your paints?