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Ford Mustang V6 and Mustang GT 1994-2014: Customizing Your Rims

This article covers some inexpensive and relatively easy methods to give your boring, stock wheels a nice custom touch.

By Brett Foote - October 15, 2015

This article applies to the Ford Mustang V6 and Mustang GT (1994-2014).

Most people immediately think about replacing their stock, boring wheels when it comes time to upgrade the looks of their Mustang. But some people simply don't have the cash for a shiny new set of wheels, and others just don't want to spend it. There are also the headaches that come with changing wheels; different sizes mean that they may or may not fit, and that size change could affect your speedometer and the performance of the car as well.

If you still want to change the look of your wheels to set them apart from the millions of others out there on the road, don't despair. There are several methods to upgrade your existing wheels, and most of them are very inexpensive compared to a new set. Plus, most can be completed in your own driveway with just a little time and elbow grease.

Wheel Modifications

Stock Mustangs have the benefit of coming with some pretty cool wheels straight from Ford. In many cases, some simple modifications are enough to give your Mustang a cool custom look that will set it apart from the crowd. The options that we'll take a look at are lug nuts, painting, Plasti-dipping, and powder-coating.

Lug Nuts

DIY Cost – $15-$50

Professional Cost – $80-$300

Skill Level – Easy; requires only basic skills and tools.

Lug nuts are simply the bolts that attach your wheels to the wheel hub, but changing their color to match or contrast your wheels can give it a nice custom touch. Stock lug nuts are generally just color matched to the wheels, but you can find them in just about any color, as well as an aluminum or stainless matte finish. They are also incredibly easy to install and don't require any permanent modifications to your ride.

Painting or Plasti-dipping

DIY Cost – $10-$50

Professional Cost – $200

Skill Level – Easy; only requires a little cleaning and some spraying.

Painting and Plasti-dipping wheels both involve essentially the same steps. You simply clean up your wheels, tape them off, and then spray away. Plasti-dip has become very popular because it is more durable and can simply be peeled off if you want to change back to the original look. This is due to the fact that it simply forms a plastic coating once dry. As another added bonus, dipping wheels also protects them from chips and scratches.

Powder-coating

DIY Cost – $50

Professional Cost – $400

Skill Level – Difficult; requires special machinery and expertise.

Powder-coating is a chemical process that involves applying an abrasive to the wheel first, then giving it an ion charge. The dry powder sticks to the surface of the rim, changing its color. Several coats are applied, making it much more durable and longer lasting than a simple paint job. On the downside, powder-coating is more expensive and requires some expertise, as improper application can damage the wheels.

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