I am wondering if anyone here has painted their stock OEM rims? I have the 04 coupe and was considering getting a pair of Vossen rims, but for now, would rather have the money in the bank or spend it on the house.

Fixing the curb rash (minor) from what I understand is just some bondo and then sand it down. To paint the rims I understand, just sand down the rims with 100 grit or so paper, prime, paint, clear coat.

What I am wondering is, what primer, what paint, what clear coat? I would like to keep the rims as close to the original color as possible. Any suggestions on what paint to use? how many coats? Anyone who has painted their stock rims, did it hold up ok?

Thanks guys...

Chris

 

Chris if you're goint to paint your '04 coupe rims remember they get very hot so use Dupli-Color Engine Enamel. That's what I paint my calipers with and it doesn't fade or peel off which is what you need painting wheels. Most quality auto parts stores carry Dupli-Color, just get the primer that goes with the paint....you won't need clear!
Good Luck, this is a fun project for a Saturday morning....don't forget the masking tape.
Gary

 

i think painting oem wheels is ghetto . please dont

 

I don't agree with painting rims...that is ghetto fab on a G....but do a quick search with Gary C's paint suggestion, "Dupli-color rims" and some have done it. I did a quick search and got this:

https://g35driver.com/forums/body-in...your-rims.html

Good luck.....but don't do it!

 

Thanks guys... the reality is the car is 9 years old now.. the alternative, drop 2,500 - 3,000k on rims for a car I wont have much more than 2-3 more years (its a second car that only does about 5k miles a year) or have them professionally done for $100-$150 a wheel. If they come out that bad, I can always have them done professionally. I did just spray the new rotors that had rust looking stains after I washed them down with 0000 steel (rotors aren't even a month old) using the thread posted about the "Steel it" spray and they came out awesome! If the rims can come out as nice (even if I only end up painting the inside side of the rims which look like crap) then it will be an improvement.

Thanks again guys!

Chris

 

Varrostens don't cost $2500-$3000K^^^^

 

Thanks for pointing that out... it gives an inexpensive alternative. I see some sets are a grand, shipped.

 

doesnt mean the mods should be distasteful. otherwise dont ghetto mod at all and leave it stock.

 

He said Vossen, not varrstoen. big difference

 

I plastidiped my oem 18's and added a coat of plastidip glossifier and I get compliments all the time. People think they are aftermarket rims (non g35 drivers at least)

 

idk how people are getting all these compliments on there stock cars with plastidip mods.

 

Ive always regretted painting stockers after the fact. If you do do it just make sure you take your time to do it right. Sand them down, prime them, sand the primer down then paint. It turns into a lengthy project, but worth it in the end. Id go with a nice Graphite Grey if it were me.

 

One way to avoid the regret of doing something you dislike is to try it with plasti-dip before hand to get a feel of what color you like. So if you find the right color you can just peel it off and paint it for realz

 

What he said. I know a lot of people dont like plasti-dip, myself included, but thats the sheer beauty of it. if you dont like it you can just peel it off. no harm no foul. its the perfect test bed for figuring out what you want painted. that and photoshop.

 

i agree as well. Like Gary said, Dupli color is your best bet. But i have seen multiple people with Plastidipped wheels that look just fine,obviously not great looking wheels,but if its what you like go for it. Nice thing about going that route, you dont need the bondo, a few good think layers of plastidip will almost completely hide and fill in the road rash on your wheels. YouTube DIPYOURCAR and look at their videos to get an idea.

Ultimately our cars are to nice for rattle can in my opinion, but to each theri own,dont let anyone else input make your decision and make you spend money you dont want to spend.

Also, autozone pepboys etc etc sell a wheel repair kit made specifically for curbed wheels, they have compounds and all the proper sanding sizes right in there,they even come with paint and only run like 20$, id try that if you dont do the plastidip