Painting stock 18" wheels as opposed to polishing.

[PhoenixGTS]

Painting stock 18\" wheels as opposed to polishing.

I bought a set of used 18" wheels. They are are in good shape except for the clear coat is failing. My intention was to paint them the same silver as my 98 GTS as I am not into polished/chrome wheels on a performance car, but especialy have never like shiney wheels on a silver car (I have to admit shiney looks awesome on the black and grey Vipers, and good on red). The painter has blown me off twice now which has given me time to have second thoughts. Any comments? Think painted would look good as opposed to polished on a silver GTS?

Another idea I had was to shot peen or nut blast the wheels to a smooth bare aluminum and then clear coat them without paint.

I requested pics of painted wheels a month ago and all I got was Tom's Gen Is painted brake dust grey. Any pics of painted Viper wheels would be appreciated.

P.S. If I paint them silver, the idea was to also paint the decorative gas cap the same color since the clear coat on the cap is shot. I would end up with a car with no shiney parts at all. Sounds racey to me.

Oh and Stugots was banned, feel free to step up and post ***** in his absence.

 

[HOdbleFman]

Re: Painting stock 18

I say paint/powdercoat them black. Black wheels look mean on a fast car.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Re: Painting stock 18

Black is one thing I will not do. Reminds me of an old guy from NJ retired in FL wearing black socks with his shorts. I have seen a black Viper on this site and a black 996TT elsewhere that have polished lip HRE with black centers that looked good, but never seen a black one-piece wheel or a black wheel on a non-black car I liked. I know some folks love that look, but not for me.

 

[GimmeTheSpeed]

Re: Painting stock 18

wheels that are entirely black don't look that great.... but black wheels with the polished outer lip look mean! that black ACR with the Black/Polished wheels is sweet... as far as your Silver car, Painted would look pretty cool as opposed to your polished option.

 

[kARLUG]

Re: Painting stock 18

Agree with Gimme, black centers with polished lip would look great on a silver car.

 

[rcdice]

Re: Painting stock 18

Phoenix,

Check out:

http://www.kinesismotorsport.com/forged.htm

They show a lot of different non-polished finishes on their wheels. Might give you some ideas. I've kicked around getting a set of their K58's with a anodized center (non-polished) and polished lip.

 

[Newport Viper]

Re: Painting stock 18

Black is one thing I will not do. Reminds me of an old guy from NJ retired in FL wearing black socks with his shorts. I have seen a black Viper on this site and a black 996TT elsewhere that have polished lip HRE with black centers that looked good, but never seen a black one-piece wheel or a black wheel on a non-black car I liked. I know some folks love that look, but not for me.

Oh man, I am an old guy @ 37

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Re: Painting stock 18

Why don't you test out some colors first with Photoshop on a computer? Take a side picture of your car and try the different colors on the wheels.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Re: Painting stock 18

Sorry Newport Viper! I figured photoshopping would not be real helpful due to closeness of raw or treated aluminum and silver paint. Thanks for the idea about the kinesis shot peening. Sound like a good idea, but I have a feeling shot peeing + clear anodizing will cost more than the $100/wheel I was quoted for paint with clear coat. Perhaps the shot with clear paint for more shine than the anodizing would be a good mix since it would be the whole wheel rather than just the center.

 

[Hisserman]

Re: Painting stock 18

Phoenix --

For some reason painters have a difficult time getting a good paint or clearcoat job on the 18" Viper wheels. There is something about the large smooth surfaces and the curves that leads to runs by even the best painters. That might be why your painter is dragging his feet. Good luck on the project.

A good alloy wheel shop can give you a satin finish on the wheels which may achieve the effect you are looking for.

 

[BADVENOM]

Re: Painting stock 18

well these are wheeels from my diablo that I had powdercoated centers sone and rest of wheel high polished and cleared for an example..

 

[Ulysses]

Re: Painting stock 18

Niiiiice! Who did them for you, Adam? If you don't mind me asking.

 

[BADVENOM]

Re: Painting stock 18

Thanks Ulysses

Guy here in Long Island who does all metal restoration, chroming, polishing powder coating, anodizing...real good and reasonable..