Finally finished painting my wheels

[zmuff]

Just reinstalled my wheels yesterday afternoon after a slow repaint (too many other things going on). I decided on gunmetal metallic for the spokes just to be different...a definite PITA masking them off! It really changed the look of my car.

Before:
http://www.roadfly.org/bmw/gallery/photos/photos-04-2003/9-9294180.jpg

After:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/556000-556999/556352_1_full.jpg

[Dick Schneiders]

do to get the paint to properly adhere to the chrome? This was probably discussed earlier, but I missed it.

My Ronal wheels are starting to look bad with some rust and flaking of the chrome. I have been thinking about painting them.

Thanks,

Dick Schneiders


Just reinstalled my wheels yesterday afternoon after a slow repaint (too many other things going on). I decided on gunmetal metallic for the spokes just to be different...a definite PITA masking them off! It really changed the look of my car.

Before:
http://www.roadfly.org/bmw/gallery/photos/photos-04-2003/9-9294180.jpg

After:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/556000-556999/556352_1_full.jpg

[zmuff]

The wheels were originally painted all silver. Between a few chips and scrapes, and some stains (wrong wheel cleaner?), they were not looking their best. I media blasted them at work and used a good self-etching primer from the aircraft paint locker (I think it was JetGlo). The paint was Duplicolor, I couln't find anyone that had Wurth paint in stock, so I took my chances. I'm pleased with the way they turned out.

[///M Power]

you have the european bumper trim?

[zmuff]

Yes, the previous owner had installed all the Euro trim. It gives it a nice clean look. I read that it's just the opposite across the Atlantic. I guess it's popular there to install US trim with the side marker lights. Looks like an opportunity for some even-up trades.

[Unregistered]

what would it cost to have something like that done? The gun metal looks sick! My 18" parallels arent looking their best and I was thinking of painting them, can you give me a ballpark figure?

[zmuff]

Good question! I didn't really know the answer so I checked out a few web sites that did wheel repair/refinishing. I looks like $200.00 per wheel is not an uncommon asking price. It could have been overkill on my part by beadblasting and starting fresh (hindsight). That BMW primer is some tough stuff to get off! Depending on the condition of your wheels, you may be able to get by with a scuff and shoot. Thanks for the kind words...'sick' is good, right? I'm still stuck with 'cool, man!' LOL

[Craig]

That looks fantastic. I really like the look of colored spokes and a silver/polished lip on wheels.

[AZ_Jason_S]

Yeah, I'm all for the dark wheels. I suggest you go for a dark tint now. Don't know how legal that is where you live. Here, I am illegally dark, and its no big deal.

http://www.members.cox.net/jasons7/SHOW/frontleft3.JPG

[TETSUO]

Lol, sick is very good. one more question, the wheels were all silver at first right? are they one piece rims? if so what did you do at the point where the spokes meet the "lip" of the rim? Did you just tape it off and the paint stops there? I hope you understand what I'm talking about it may be a little vague

[TETSUO]

Oh by the way I am the guest who asked the question, I didnt realize i wasnt signed in at the time

[TETSUO]

OH MY! very nice Jason. Damn you guys are really about to make me paint my wheels!

[TETSUO]

Sorry, one more question, how did you go about looking up those prices. Im trying to find a place in my area (DC) that does this but im not really sure how to go about it, thanks

[zmuff]

Yes, the wheels were originally painted silver. Here's a closer pic of the the wheel and how I masked it off. There is a raduius where the spoke meets the rim so you kind of have to guess where to mask it. But as long as you guesses are consistent (60 times), it turns out pretty good. The radius on the outside edge of the spokes got masked off square, I just couldn't make the curve look good. As far as the wheel prices, I did a Google search under "wheel repair/refinish" and alot of stuff popped up. Hope all that made sense.http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/556000-556999/556352_7_full.jpg

[shragon]

looks really good. i'm assuming the duplicolor paint you used is there wheel paint line.

[Bill R.]

Just reinstalled my wheels yesterday afternoon after a slow repaint (too many other things going on). I decided on gunmetal metallic for the spokes just to be different...a definite PITA masking them off! It really changed the look of my car.

Before:
http://www.roadfly.org/bmw/gallery/photos/photos-04-2003/9-9294180.jpg

After:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/556000-556999/556352_1_full.jpg

[Jr ///M5]

Yes, very nice indeed. The two-tone look enhances the wide lip of the rim...Good job!

Jr

[mikey535im]

Job well done , gives it a sportier appearance. Wow that must have take some patience to do all the masking , all woth it in the end!
Mike

[AZ_Jason_S]

But I like it that way.....