Ok, so instead of hijacking MiloX's thread, I started this one. I've been looking at my truck and was wondering what it would like a little more blacked out. The things like the silver skid plate, silver on the wheels, and the chrome bezel around the Ford emblem on the tailgate. I don't dislike the looks but was curious to see if it would all fit together a little better without the silver and chrome.
I obviously wanted to do it on a budget since I wasn't completely sure how I'd like it and being able to put it back to factory sold me on giving it a shot. I went ahead and raided the local hardware stores for their supplies of plasti dip and went to town. While I was at it and had the wheels off the truck I figured I might as well spray the wheels wells and see how that worked out as well. Seeing the thin, off colored spray in the wheel wells was one of the biggest visual detractors of the truck in my opinion, especially since it's so easy to see on these trucks. If nothing else maybe it will insulate from some of the rock impacts I'm always hearing from the rear wheel wells.
Here are a couple of pics I took during the process. I'll try to get some better ones to add later if anyone is interested.
I had to use some ratchet straps in order to get the truck on stands and keep the rear suspension compressed enough to get the wheels off and not have the cab hit the garage door.
A couple of make do with what you have points that made spraying the wheels easier. I used some large diameter heat shrink tubing to cover the valve stems and taped off the top. I had a roll 1/16x6" aluminum flashing laying around so I cut 4 pieces to a little more that the diameter of the rim. I tuck the edge into the bead all the way around to keep from overspraying the tire. Last was the recessed area for the lug nuts. That was done by stealing a couple cans of the kids' Play Doh. I broke off small pieces and pressed them into the holes.
Crappy pic, but an idea of the finished product.
I obviously wanted to do it on a budget since I wasn't completely sure how I'd like it and being able to put it back to factory sold me on giving it a shot. I went ahead and raided the local hardware stores for their supplies of plasti dip and went to town. While I was at it and had the wheels off the truck I figured I might as well spray the wheels wells and see how that worked out as well. Seeing the thin, off colored spray in the wheel wells was one of the biggest visual detractors of the truck in my opinion, especially since it's so easy to see on these trucks. If nothing else maybe it will insulate from some of the rock impacts I'm always hearing from the rear wheel wells.
Here are a couple of pics I took during the process. I'll try to get some better ones to add later if anyone is interested.
I had to use some ratchet straps in order to get the truck on stands and keep the rear suspension compressed enough to get the wheels off and not have the cab hit the garage door.
A couple of make do with what you have points that made spraying the wheels easier. I used some large diameter heat shrink tubing to cover the valve stems and taped off the top. I had a roll 1/16x6" aluminum flashing laying around so I cut 4 pieces to a little more that the diameter of the rim. I tuck the edge into the bead all the way around to keep from overspraying the tire. Last was the recessed area for the lug nuts. That was done by stealing a couple cans of the kids' Play Doh. I broke off small pieces and pressed them into the holes.
Crappy pic, but an idea of the finished product.
