 |
Rimblades from Taobao
Image from Locky's English Playground |
After I wrote
Auto: Tesla Model S Rim Protector Installation, the response has been very good, so I should write a follow-up on what I did to the rims on the back wheels. As I wrote in that post, I was left with the front rim protectors after a day. Now that I have recovered the Rimblades, it is about time to put them on. The first thing I noticed is that everything is of a huge difference from the previous set. The box is very well colour-printed.
 |
Rimblades
Image from Locky's English Playground |
Rimblades rim protectors are more rubbery, more elastic and with that, I can already feel it will be able to absorb more shock upon impact. The 3M double-sided tape on it also looks more real and is definitely more sticky.
 |
Alcohol wipes and 3M primer!!
Image from Locky's English Playground |
It comes with 4 alcohol wipes and 4 perfectly-sealed 3M primer wipes instead of a nail polish-looking one I used for another set, all these makes me believe that this is actually the real deal!
And now the installation video:
 |
A plastic bag to keep the dust and sand off the Rimblade on the ground
Image from Locky's English Playground |
Some points to note while installing rim protectors:
1) Should put a plastic bag under the rim protectors to keep the dust and sand off them. You don't want those to be stuck in between your rim and the tape.
 |
Damp cloth and tonnes of pressure
Image from Locky's English Playground |
2) Wear a pair of gloves to keep your fingers from getting all crazy black.
3) Do get a damp cloth before you apply pressure over and over the rim protectors, water might actually activate the primer so that it can stick better. I missed this step entirely in the previous installation even though the video I followed did tell me so.
 |
TATA!!!! Left back wheel installed!
Image from Locky's English Playground |
4) Apply pressure around the rim, paying special attention to small gaps between the rim protector and your rim.
 |
Right back wheel installed
Image from Locky's English Playground |
5) Try not to drive for the next 12 hours. Maybe the time need not be so long, but just in case, some videos even say 24 hours!
 |
After a day of driving, rim protector shrunk a bit
Image from Locky's English Playground |
6) After a day of driving, the rim protector shrunk a bit, possibly due to the cold temperature, thus it is advisable to leave the cut a little longer than it should. Use a cutter for precision.
 |
Blue rim protector on the front wheels that have survived
Image from Locky's English Playground |
 |
Blue in front, black at the back
Image from Locky's English Playground |
Days after the installation, I still have all four rim protectors, so I can say my re-installation is a successful one! Hope yours will be too!
Resources:
Auto: Tesla Model S Rim Protector Installation @ Locky's English Playground
http://lockyep.blogspot.hk/2015/01/auto-tesla-model-s-rim-protector.html
Tesla Model S Rim Protector Re-Installation @YouTube
http://youtu.be/GnYdzLSkopU
精美轮毂装饰贴 轮圈装饰条 韩国进口-淘宝网
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a1z0d.6639537.1997196601.37.iWfMUc&id=39191997399
