DIY - Paint matched accent for bead lock trim rings

[RedRider]

Background:

There are trim rings available that match the exterior paint color. Nothing against them, they are just a little too bold for my taste. I was curious to find something that added a bit of color but wasn't so distracting. Why not fill in that groove on the ring with an accent color? I'm sharing the results because I haven't seen this attempted elsewhere and if anyone is curious about doing this or something similar, here's an example of what it looks like.

Method:

I used a variation on powder coating to give the bead lock trim rings a little extra flair. To do this, I packed powder into the circular groove of the trim rings and baked it until cured. To help apply the powder, I first put some of the powder into a small squeeze bottle to help better control where the powder laid down (aim for the groove). If you want, you can also add powder to the edges of the sunken screw holes, but for the final product I decided against that. I then used a 3M applicator squeegee covered on one end with a monkey strip to level out and remove excess powder from the surface of the ring. It's not as simple as it sounds, since the powder will get everywhere. Multiple passes are required. I used a microfiber cloth damp with window cleaner to clean the squeegee as I went and this helped to remove excess powder. The damp cloth can also be used to clean up the areas where unwanted powder lands, like the outside edge. It is important to clean the powder from everywhere you don't want, because once cured, it's there for good.

The red tinted wheel caps was a mod I did earlier. I was inspired by this post. I used a couple of coats of candy apple red from a spray can and a clearcoat spray. This mod was separate from the powdercoating experiment above, but since it'll be in the pictures, this is the scoop.

Shopping list:

Black Bead Lock Trim Ring Kit (to replace stock silver ones)
Black lug nuts

Application tools:

Monkey Strips
3M Hand Applicator Squeegee
Sprayway Glass Cleaner
Squeeze Bottle applicator and funnel

Powder:

Ford Race Red

Tinted wheel caps:

House of Kolor Apple Red Kandy B/C 12-Ounce Aerosol Spray Can
USC SprayMax 2K Glamour High Gloss Aerosol Clear

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[SierraBronco]

Will actual beadlocks need sanded? Thanks.

 

[DALOLA]

Looks great OP, I agree, I like a more subtle contrast. I powder coated mine charcoal grey, for an even more subtle contrast.

 

[BigFootie]

Will actual beadlocks need sanded? Thanks.

I think the term you were looking for was “rocked”, not “sanded”!

 

[EvilJim1971]

Looks understated and good.

 

[Dr Dan]

I found this thread while experimenting on how to paint my rings. Yours came out great, btw. I like what you did with the hubs.

 

[Felix808]

Will actual beadlocks need sanded? Thanks.

Seems like a lot of work to last less than 5 minutes into the trail

 

[SierraBronco]

Seems like a lot of work to last less than 5 minutes into the trail

It’s like taking the dremel to the beadlock bolts to make certain you can get a socket on them. But not.

 

[Felix808]

It’s like taking the dremel to the beadlock bolts to make certain you can get a socket on them. But not.

Before or after painting the trim because you know you'll be doing it again

 

[Car Guy Bill]

Did mine in Body Color and really like the way to looks.

 

[Mpatient1]

Nice! I've been wanting to do something similar to the groove on the HE hub caps... I know I don't have a steady enough hand to paint it, but I've toyed with setting them on a turntable and trying to lay a pinstripe If they weren't plastic I would have already tried this approach, though I might try one to see if they can hold up.

 

[tock13]

I went a similar route but thought a thin strip of silver looked good. The all black wheel was too much for me. I think the thin line of a contrasting color is perfect. Painting the full beauty ring is hit or miss to me depending on color.

 

[Fatfireman]

Did mine in Body Color and really like the way to looks.

That looks really nice, thinking it wouldn't look nearly as good in my Rapid Red

 

[adamruiz2001]

I went a similar route but thought a thin strip of silver looked good. The all black wheel was too much for me. I think the thin line of a contrasting color is perfect. Painting the full beauty ring is hit or miss to me depending on color.

What process did you take to get the strip of silver on ring?

 

[tock13]

What process did you take to get the strip of silver on ring?

i started to make a “lazy-susan“ like mount from piece of plywood that I could mount the ring to and spin it under a stationary mounted sander but just decided to go a simple route and move on.

i used those blades that are used in carpet knives. I just hand scraped the clear coat and black paint off down to bare aluminum. Then I block sanded the raw surface smooth. I think I went 300 grit down to 2000 grit. I left the aluminum raw, nothing is coating it. Been through a winter and summer with no staining or corroding, look as good as when I first scraped off the paint.

I must say, my method is not at all time efficient so take it for what it’s worth. For me it worked great and I love how it breaks up the all black wildtrack look.

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