Painted wheels?

Post by **purplepeter** » 22nd December 2007 - 8:20pm

Probably a question for Danny,but if anyones got any examples please post!

Now that fasty is on her proper,original rims,theres the question of what colour to paint them??
Prior to getting the new tyres,I wire brushed/grit blasted the rims,& hammerited the inside of the rims,then primered the outer faces
I'm inclined to go for the stock silver,but am toying with the idea of painting them yellow..does that look any good?or is it a bit naff??

Has anyone got pics of wheels painted to match body colour?

I happen to have tins of hammerite in Yellow,dark green,silver,plus 2 rattlecans of Texas Yellow,and a rather nifty looking can of "chrome effect paint"so am spoilt for choice!

she'll be wearing stock hubcaps!

nitro_warrior · Post by **nitro_warrior** » 23rd December 2007 - 12:12am

Not sure about coloured but white would probably look ok. Or maybe black. I have had (and know others who have had) bad experience of hammerite on wheels, chips too easily.

This is what mine looks like on white rims

MarkC · Post by **MarkC** » 23rd December 2007 - 9:08am

Mine currently has white wheels with contrasting chrome trim!

To be honest didn't like them when I first got the car but they are growing on me. But will be putting the Sprintstars on when I finished tidying them up.

Mark

Post by **Editor** » 23rd December 2007 - 11:49am

The original silver for that vintage is very similar to the Smoothrite (now named Hammerite smooth I believe) aluminium. Avoid hammered finish unless there are very obvious rust pits and imperfections. The hollows in the hammered finish leave such a thin coat, rust often starts there. 'Smoothrite' does shed mud etc well - it almost has a non-stick effect.

Earlier ones had a aluminium paint with clear lacquer coat(s).

If painting a colour, the VW style is not for colour matching the wheels, but a similar colour in a darker tone.

I tend to feel less is more, but it's personal choice, and I lean towards understatement rather than garish!

darkstar · Post by **darkstar** » 23rd December 2007 - 3:14pm

could you not get them powder coated ?

Post by **purplepeter** » 23rd December 2007 - 3:51pm

Yes,but powder coating is £35 per wheel..and i dont really want to get the colour wrong at that price!

nidge · Post by **nidge** » 23rd December 2007 - 5:17pm

i ran red wheels on a red fasty for a time. looked a bit er....80's

why not try a black wheel with an aluminium & lacquered rim ?

nidge · Post by **nidge** » 23rd December 2007 - 5:28pm

colour coding wheels is matter of taste or not as the case may be