Sky Hye's How to Paint VW Logos on Hubcaps

[david58]

This was posted in the newbie forum nice write up. Thanks for taking the time to post this up.

Hey guys. Took some time tonight to paint the VW logo on my hubcaps, figured do a write-up, since nobody had done one.

Some notes:

You will need an Exacto and a few blades
some good masking tape
plastic bags/trash bags.

Prep the wheel by cleaning it with some rubbing alcohol or acetone (preferred).

Cover the wheel with the bag and tape the bottom


using an exacto or sharp knife, cut a circle larger than the perimeter of the VW logo


begin taping the bag to the wheel. I like to tape from the outside in towards the center,
ironing the tape firmly with my thumb around the embossments.


use your nails or the butt of the exacto to iron out these wrinkles


Here is the logo covered. Again, use your nails or the butt of the exacto to
press in the tape into the edges. you can use a toothpick to press in the tighter edges.
(i used the "straw" from a WD-40 can, I'm amazed i even found one.


Begin cutting the tape. Be delicate with the knife yet firm enough to cut through.
I cannot emphasize, use a sharp knife. Also note the angle of the blade to the tape.




Here I have completed the cutting. It is hard to tell, but I have made
some extra cuts in the scrap material to make it easier to remove.


Here is a technique I used to cut a curve on some of the corners.
I placed my nail around the curve and used it as a template.
I am a guitarist so I have long nails, if you dont, use something else.
(this shot was a PITA to take with 2 hands)


Now I begin peeling the tape away in sections. Make sure you go over
your cutting before peeling and take your time. I gave it a light scuff with
some sandpaper and cleaned it again with some acetone again.



I chose Black gloss to stay true to the year, but the possibilities are endless.
I sprayed one coat and let it dry (in a dust free yet vented area) while I worked on another cap.
This gave me time to allow the prior cap to dry sufficiently before the next coat.
Be sue to leave them in somewhere without too much dust.


After thoroughly drying I peeled the tape off. I will go back in the
morning and clean the "dirty" edges with a Q-tip and paint thinner.




And here they are mounted! My next project/write up will be the wheels themselves.
I want to also make them true to the year and paint them the original colors.


Some tips:

for spray painting, make sure you clean the surface well with acetone (preferred) or alcohol (not the drinking kind!).
Shake the can for about a minute.
Spray from about 8 inches in a steady left-right motion. Dont stay on one area too long or the paint will begin to run.
give it light coats and let it dry about 10-15 minutes, longer in cold humid weather.

Good Luck and have fun with it!

- Shant

[MNAirHead]

Thank you David.. will be doing this later this year.

[marnat3]

Sweeeeet

[raygreenwood]

By some airbrush "frisket" and skip the masking tape. It makes cleaner edges and is not as hard to get off...so less chance of damaging paint. But nice job! Ray

[cl08]

Nice job!!!!

One tip though, scuff the suface lightly with a green or grey scotch brite. The rattle can will come off over time. But with the roughness it will take alot longer. Never paint on a smooth surface. Any bodyman will tell you that.

One plus though to NOT scuffing it is, you can take lacquor thinner and wipe that paint right off. Change colors effortlessly.

I likes it though, too bad I am not running stock wheels

[JSMskater]

uhm... did you read the right up? he DID say to scuff it...