how can I rough up my wheels?

[Lessen]

Does anybody know of any chemical that will slightly pit or roughin up a shiny plastic surface? I got a set of RPM dyable wheels and I wanna dye them black or dark grey, but I don't want it to be shiny... I'm lookin for the flat look. Or is there any other method of gettin rid of a luster on plastic w/o leaving any directional markings?

 

[SokuShi]

if you get a old pot you dont care about, like a can or something, you can get some water boiling and add some dye from your local like arts and crafts store the more dye you add the darker they will be.

 

[militarymaxx]

I think an acetone based chemical like fingernail polish remover will take away some of that shine. Whatever you decide on make sure you try it on a small inconspicuous spot before going all out.
You might also try some fine sandpaper, say 800 grit. This might work as well.

 

[Maxx Trooper]

u can buy Rit Dye, all different colors, i got a box of flat black on top of my fridge from when i dyed my rims. the only thing about dyeing rims is that no matter what, the dye will keep coming off on ur hands, again and again.

later

 

[SokuShi]

thats what its claled i couldent think of the name, its RIT dye

thx maxx

and btw, you could try a no gloss clear coat to keep the dye from rubbing off.

 

[Lessen]

I didn't know they made dye in a a flat tone. I just figured since the wheel is really smooth it would automatically have a glossy appearance. The clear coat idea sounds pretty good too. I'll try something acetone based on my old messed up wheels. Thanks guys.

 

[SokuShi]

...it wouldent let me post the link, kept staring out the internet website.

 

[Lessen]

well, it's been a while but I figured I'd update this just in case someone else out there ever wanted to do the same thing. I tried nail polish remover and it didn't seem to do anything unfortunately. Wet sanding definately get's it done the best (like 600 grit, before dyeing) but you just can't get your fingers in those itty bitty areas. I'm just too friggin anal to let that kinda stuff fly. So I figured I'd ride up to the local Michaels to see what kind of clears I could find. My not so LHS is 45 minutes away. Well, I found a pretty good product by DecoArt. It's called DuraClear and comes in Gloss or Satin. It's actually a polyurethane varnish but it's thin enough to blow through an airbrush with a medium tip and needle. It's flexible, weatherproof, and even wet or dry sandable. As you would expect it didn't quite give me the "flat" look but it's definately not glossy anymore. A good negotiation if you will. Plus, since I'm spraying after dying I dont run the chance of getting dye all over my fingers when handling (although I havn't had any problems with this happening anyway). I wish I had a digi cam or I'd post some gloss vs. satin pics.

 

[4u2nv]

The clear is going to give it shine though. Id go to a auto value and ask tell them you want a plastic bonding spray and then with that stuff you can spray it on 1st, let it dry (Takes like 10 minutes) then use a flat black rattle can spray and the bonding stuff with keep it from chipping or cracking. I've used it before on other smooth plastics and it has worked awesome! I highly suggest that.

 

[Lessen]

that sounds like a good idea too. I'm pretty happy with the results that I got with the satin poly. I think I kinda like it more than flat actually. the more I look at it the more I like it.

 

[Lessen]

...tried something else. Black aerosol plasti-dip. Bonds nicely and peels off clean if needed. I'm stickin with this, just thought I'd share. I got a set of TI22 rims comin soon also. I'll see what it looks like on those.