I'm feeling this look, the splash of red would be perfect for my mcr. I bet they look awesome on your Model 3.
Can you share the steps and type of paint?
It is really still just a prototype paint job at this point. This one was more about seeing the look than the quality. I will share but I would recommend more effort than I put in for a final solution. I will also take pics of the process on the next one I do to give more clarity.
First step was taping off the darker areas. I just used blue painters tape and laid it right down the lines. I also taped off the entire center cap area so just the larger light grey blades were exposed.
Second step was to clean the exposed surfaces. I used detailer spray first and then rubbing alcohol. This works best in a low dust no air movement area. I buy a few plastic painting sheets and tape them to the floor and hanging from the ceiling in my garage to create a mini paint booth.
Step three is painting it, I used spray paint (I would recommend plasti-dip for this step in a non prototype). Krylon flat black was my choice because that is what was in my garage. I put the hubcap against a box so that it is sitting upright but at a slight angle. Basically the same way it is sitting in the picture in the first post. Then I shake the can and spray it down. Back and forth across the hubcap from about 12 inches away. Start with a light coat, you will still see some spots of grey underneath but you will avoid runs. Wait 20 minutes and spin the wheel about a quarter turn so the part that was on bottom is now to the side, this ensures you get all the curves from various angles. Add another light coat, repeat this process until you have solid coverage everywhere (3-4 coats). Let it dry overnight.
Step 4, after it is dry we do the red accents. Flip the hub cap over so that the front is now against the box. This part I also used Krylon spray paint, the color was regal red (I don’t think plasti dip would work for this part, spray paint or spray gun). Take the paint and spray it through the holes on the back of the hub cap from about 15 inches away. Be careful not to over apply, the coats will lay in a gradient type look, the more coats the less subtle the gradient. Let it sit overnight.
Step 5 tape off everything but the grooves in the hubcap, (the areas between blades) I was sloppy on this step. The better you can get the tape perfectly along the lines outside the grooves the better it will look.
Step 6 is to add the white lines. Once Again I used krylon spray paint color white. With all but the grooves taped just spray it down. Add around 5 coats to make sure you get a good deep white. The grooves are deep and can hold a few extra coats to ensure it is all filled in. Let it dry overnight.
Step 7 pull off all the tape
Step 8 I added a few layers of clear matte spray paint. Clear gloss may make it pop a bit more depending on the look you are going for.
I hand painted the Tesla logo. Sprayed red krylon into a puddle on a plastic sheet and used a tiny paintbrush.
That is it, I will add pics to give clarity when I take on the next one.
