Painting my RS/SS Rims...

[Topdown]

(Real pics with a real camera - not a cellphone - will happen tomorrow as I finish the other 3 wheels)

Hey everyone...

Been reading for a long while now, asking questions, saving cash and planning a wheel purchase. As life works out, that $$ ended up being reallocated so I am back at square one... and thinking maybe new wheels should be a lower priority.

The problem with that is that the OEM wheels, just dont "do it" for me... So, I am working on a plan to have the OEM wheels machined some, and while that plan comes together, I decided that no matter what I machine on them, they were going to need a paint job.



So, let me say right off the bat, when you get your wheel off and on the work bench, get it all taped off and you grab that 600-grit sandpaper... it takes a long deep breath and lots of internal discussion to start sanding the finish off the wheels of my 35,000.00 orange racecar. However, once you start... its easy-peasy to sand off that finish. I didn't realize how soft the paint is on the OEM wheels... WOW. It takes very little effort to get through the midnight silver to the black underneath. Thankfully, the inside of the wheels was/is already painted black, so I didnt need to bother sanding the whole inside wheel to repaint it.



I sanded everything not covered by Blue tape until there was no shine... let me tell you, at this point your fully committed to the project and you start thinking to yourself - "I wonder what it would cost to have these professionally repainted if I ruin them". Of course it didnt help having my buddy sending me craigslist links to new OEM wheels "just in case". anyway, here is the wheel after the sanding...



After a thorough wipe-down with brake clean, inspecting the paint lines and touching up the sanding along the edges, and another couple wipe-downs to make sure its clean (hard to tell when the paint is so scuffed), its time for paint. I really didnt want any runs, so I did multiple light coats. The paint I was using dried incredibly fast when put on so lightly, so by the time I got back to the first spot, it was dry to the touch. I worked my way around, making sure I got everthing as well as I could (though I did end up leaving a couple light spots that I went back and resprayed). Then, moved the wheel inside to in front of the fireplace... to bake a little.



after about 15 minutes (next time will be longer, I dont think 15 minutes is enough time) of enjoying the heat from the fireplace, I took it back outside and bolted it on. I didnt realize that the torque spec was so high on these wheels! 140ft/lbs seems like a lot... especially since my pickup is only 110 per!



I think it turned out fairly well. What do you think...

[MG]

Nice. I've been asking about this over the past few days. Did you use any primer? Clearcoat?

[Blackwolf]

Looks pretty good from the available pictures.

I'd really like to see a clearer picture of it out in the daylight when your done.

[Topdown]

Thanks... unfortunately, I was so mentally wrapped up with what I was about to do to my wheels that I didnt think to grab the real camera and take good pictures.

Once I get started today though I will make sure and get some with the real camera.

I actually didnt use any primer, but used self-priming epoxy paint that I have used a few other times for different car applications. Its very hard paint and I have never had a problem with it chipping. I also did not clear-coat it because if I ever have to go back and touch-up a wheel, the clear coat will just be "in the way". the matte black paint is and will be easy enough to touch-up if it ever does chip or flake.

[BlaSSt Off]

I think they look great! I may do this to my stock wheels so I have cooler wheels to look at when im at the track.

[2010 SSRS]

looks real good

[Topdown]

Thanks guys! almost done putting up the Christmas decorations and then I will have time to head back out into the garage to work on the rest.

[AFblueSS]

When I first read your post, I was like NOOOOOOO!

But then I scrolled down and saw the finished product, and I was actually quite impresed!

Good job!

[Topdown]

I took some pics, but the car is still in the garage so there arent any real good ones, I will upload them soon.

The dark wheels tie in the matte black stripes and the tinted windows nicely... makes it all flow together well. the midnight silver spokes break up the look of the wheel so its not one gigantic black hole in my wheel well.

Needless to say, at the moment I am happy with the new look.

[Topdown]

still in the garage... so the pics dont do the look justice, but I think they look MUCH better. The flat/matte black ties the stripes, wheels and tinted windows together and make the car look more "complete"













some may like it... others may not... personally, I think it makes a world of difference.

[GEEo]

IMO looks pretty gud bro! nice job

[SuperH]

Hmmm...

Dude, that's pimp!

Great job!

[Topdown]

Thanks guys... I appreciate the feedback. Especially after hitting the wheels of my "brand new" car with sandpaper.

[whamslam3]

looks rly cool i like it u did a good job i would be way to scared to do that myself hehe