Hydro graphics on wheels?

[bwdz]

Anyone done hydro graphics on their wheels? If you don't know what it is and you are curious just look at the episode of wheeler dealers where they did the Mazda RX7 wheels or youtube hydrographics rims.
I scored a free set of slightly curbrashed Cayman wheels 18 inch. I am going to sand them down and refinish them. When I stopped at the dealer the other day most of the new Porsches had black wheels on them (my car is black and I hate the black on black combo). I don't want to paint them black but I would like to dip them in carbon fiber look hydro film to make it like black but not really.
Just looking to see if anyone knows how it holds up over time?

[Smallblock454]

The method is called water transfer printing.

Regards, Markus

[Heiko]

Here's a neat video on it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKuXyeAGzEU

[bwdz]

I know what it is, I can do it myself at a friend's shop as they have the tub and do it on all kinds of things but they have never done wheels.
Just seeing if anyone knows how it holds up outdoors with brake dust and frequent washings, can you still use wheel cleaner and so on...

[Pdwight]

Practice....practice

I don't like Black on black, I am very old school ( and old) I still like shiny chrome wheels on a car....I guess growing up in the 60's and now being 60 left an impression. A Chrome wrap would be neat if it is durable enough to withstand the heat.

[particlewave]

With a clear coat, it's as durable as paint. Without, it won't last forever on wheels.

[edc]

A guy on boxa.net has had the hydropgraphic carbon fibre print on his wheels for what must be 18 months now. A good lacquer finish and whilst not to my taste it still looks good.

[njbray]

That video is cool to watch.
I was doing this at art college 30+ years ago but with oil paints spread around on water!

[bwdz]

Originally Posted by particlewave

With a clear coat, it's as durable as paint. Without, it won't last forever on wheels.

Thank you, I just reread some of the sites that do this and they all say they clear coat them afterward so this means it will last just like any other set of wheels. Good to know.
And for those who hate the black on black, I agree, I am going to try to find the most silverfish faux carbon fiber look that I can get. I love that look and at this point just wish my car was a different color but not about to do all that.