Refinishing GTR wheels - sacrilege?

[Rittmeister]

I'm about to take delivery of a set of R32 GTR wheels for my S13. They've got some curb marks and I'd like to re-paint them. I've done this several times so I'm not looking for a how-to, just some opinions.

I'm not sure how closely I can match the color they are (I have to work with spraypaint, basically). Am I ruining the mystique if I change the color? I've seen some R33 wheels in bronze and in black, but never color-changed R32 wheels. I could do a classic silver, though then they'd look a lot like GTS wheels; or I could do black, and then they'd almost never look dirty.

Just curious what people think. While I'm at it, is there a paint code for the stock color?

[s13dan]

I say powder coat, or base coat-clear coat. No rattle can and i think the OEM color is great but would love to see them if you change the color. :)

[murda-c]

Wheel refinishing usually isn't that expensive...i got some done for like 150 and they looked brand spankin new.

I say search around for that, because it'll look much better in the end and you can charge a little more for the wheels when you decide to sell them.

[SexPanda]

shoot, id say powdercoat...

But... Im going to get some aircraft remover to my M3 alloys, polish them real fucking good, and shoot clear over them all...

I might do it later this week. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Jonnie Fraz]

Wheel refinishing usually isn't that expensive...i got some done for like 150 and they looked brand spankin new.

I say search around for that, because it'll look much better in the end and you can charge a little more for the wheels when you decide to sell them.

You are talking about $150.00 ea right? Best price I found for strip and re-powdercoat was $100.00ea and that was a hookup.

[murda-c]

I didn't mean 150, i meant 450, and that's for all 4 lol.

[SexPanda]

Damn, are you serious?

There's a place in Lebanon, MO that does all 4 wheels for 120... for all 4! Chem dipped and everything. And its no half ass job. Tell you what, you send me your wheels with 120 for the powdercoat and money to ship them back, and I'll have them done for you in a week.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Your rims, do whatever you want...whats so special about R32 GTR rims again? Oh thats right, not a damn thing. Why would you be worried about what people in the internet would think? Specially on a forum where 99% of the people in it you'll probably never ever meet in real life...

[s13dan]

Damn, are you serious?

There's a place in Lebanon, MO that does all 4 wheels for 120... for all 4! Chem dipped and everything. And its no half ass job. Tell you what, you send me your wheels with 120 for the powdercoat and money to ship them back, and I'll have them done for you in a week.
YEA! i have heard of them, i cant remeber the name. I head they are no bullshit and do a great job!
And i have seen a few cars with clear coat on the wheels and it always looked good when using real catalyzed paint.
Your rims, do whatever you want...whats so special about R32 GTR rims again? Oh thats right, not a damn thing. Why would you be worried about what people in the internet would think? Specially on a forum where 99% of the people in it you'll probably never ever meet in real life...:mrmeph:So what do you think the chat section on a car forum is for? Really? Its not all useful info, its CHAT. And i dont think he said he was "worried", and he didnt say they were "special". I get it you dont care what ppl think about you, so why post what you think about other ppl?

[SexPanda]

PowderPaint of Lebanon is the full name IIRC.

They are no bullshit. Top notch work. However, M3 rims are heavy enough without powdercoat, so I'm just gonna polish mine.

[firelizard]

Since you mentioned black, I going to have to go with my default answer: stock wheels painted black look ghetto 99% of the time.

[initial_drifter]

just know that sometimes powdercoating leads to warping the wheels

[!Zar!]

Powdercoating leads to warped wheels?

wtf.

hahaha.
Maybe if they suck at life.

[s13dan]

^^^^Real powder coating involves a lot of heat if im not mistaken.

[JVDSKYRINE]

just know that sometimes powdercoating leads to warping the wheels


WTF ? I have tracked on my powder coated works for 2 years with no problems. Its brakes you are not supposed to powder coat cuz they don't dissepate heat as well.

and I don't see why this kid is spending more on powder coat than the wheels are worth. Seriously just spray bomb the things they are only skyline wheels hell i pretty much threw mine out when I got new wheels. If they were R34 wheels or even R33 wheels then that would be a different story.

[Topless_92]

^^^^Real powder coating involves a lot of heat if im not mistaken.

Not enough to warp a wheel...

[s13dan]

Not enough to warp a wheel...

Right on, i wasnt sure. I say base/clear, to me its easy and effective. And i like to paint!Whatever you do hope it turns out like you want.

[Jonnie Fraz]

Not enough to warp a wheel...

Correct...The very most that a powdercoater should be using is 425f. That should only be to Flash the powder so it will be super smooth like 5-10 min, then about 375 for 30 min to cure. Now if they take them out of the oven and hose them off that is a different story.

[A Spec Products]

I think just rattle can it

Powdercoating the wheels properly will probably cost more than the value of the R32 wheels, which if you resale will not get the full amount spent

[JVD]

Umm... they're R32 wheels. Just rattle can them.

[Rittmeister]

Thanks for all the opinions.

I didn't ask about powdercoating. I could have that done, I have a friend who'd do it cheap, but I'm not sure it's worth it. I've had it done to other wheels in the past and wasn't planning to go that route this time.

[ManoNegra]

Paint away, did it myself ~5 years ago. No biggie.

[SinisterSntra91]

WTF ? I have tracked on my powder coated works for 2 years with no problems. Its brakes you are not supposed to powder coat cuz they don't dissepate heat as well.


400 degrees wont hurt your calipers, they see hotter than that under harsh braking conditions. If they warp under 500 degrees I dont want them on my car lol.

[burnsauto]

I think just rattle can it

Powdercoating the wheels properly will probably cost more than the value of the R32 wheels, which if you resale will not get the full amount spent

yeah im with logan on this one...

just don't paint them some stupid ass color. I dont need to see another s chassis with lime green wheels. (they can only be green if they are green te37's...then its ok.)

[Rittmeister]

No green, orange, or white. Probably not bronze, I've had bronze wheels on the car and while I like them I'm ready for something different. Most likely either gunmetal/anthracite or plain metallic silver.

Thanks for all the replies.

[firelizard]

Actually, between powdercoat and rattlecan, I'd actually go "middle of the road" and get them base cleared. If you have a compressor, it's even something you can do yourself. A bit nicer than rattle can ;)

[ZilviaKid]

I have r32 GTST wheels and all the clear was pealing leaving the wheels looking like ass. So i got them base cleared and then look brand new. i did a shit job preping them though so they could have turned out better. ill post some pics up tomorow.