This is also in Mods/Wheel forum so if you saw it there already, please disregard ~

Here’s my dilemma… In an attempt to get a sleek/stealth, somewhat dark look on my DG sedan, I have been making some changes. Bat’s overlays on all lenses, black-chromed all emblems… and now the mistake? Wheels. I plan to get after-market later, so let’s leave that out of the equation for now. I intended to powder-coat the stocks a satin gunmetal grey. It was a cluster ***** to say the least and the color I got isn’t at all what I was looking for. It’s much darker, and to flat. Now I need to decide if I can live with ‘em till the rubber needs replaced (at which time I will get new rims), or should I make a change now. It’s been two days and I just can’t decide. I’m definitely NOT excited about them, but not sure I want to go through the whole process and expense again. BTW, all the chrome door trim and handles are going to be painted black-chrome… I’m hopping that will tie in the wheel color better (if I keep them this way.).

I have attached pics – based on the following options, please give e your opinion. Thanks a bunch!

1) They look fine the way they are – leave ‘em.
2) They look fine but would be better with the center cap painted rim color
3) Have ‘em stripped and start again with a different color.

Thanks (in advance) for your opinions : )

 

I would go with number three. I thought about doing the same thing to the wheels on our 04 DG, but after looking at your pictures, I think they're just too dark.

On the other hand, I don't think a bright chrome would go well with everything else either(I know you prefer the darker options anyway). I tell you what, the stock 18's that come with the 05 sport are nice. I really like their color too; not shiny chrome, but a more reserved, flat coloring. I think that type of finish would go well with your ride.

Now, I'm not trying to pick on you, especially considering our back-and-forth on the mpg thread(s), but I have to rant about the smoked lense covers on the rear lights. A few weeks ago I was driving home when this jetta cut in front of me and immediately had to slam on it's brakes. I had to put the nose down on the g to not hit her. The scary thing was that her break lights weren't working. Neither taillight, nor the third light in the rear window. I laid on my horn, jumped around the side of her, trying to get her attention. Without those lights, she's going to cause an accident. She never did acknowledge my hand-waiving or horn-blowing(admittedly I must have look kinda crazy trying to get her attention). When traffic started going again, I could actually see her break lights, though only faintly. It turns out that from a direct view right behind the vehicle, it appeared that none of the brake lights worked, AT ALL. Only from a slightly offset angle could I even tell they were lit.

I know they look nice, and I have never had a problem with them until that particular incident. In my personal opinion, because of the safety factor involved, I think they should be illegal. I mean, I very nearly bought a new jetta. It would have been my fault because it would have been a rear-end job, even though she cut me off with very little margin for error.

So, for the sake of other drivers out there, I ask you to take them off. If you disagree, then at least get someone to do some sort of visual check at multiple angles to make sure the lights are sufficiently visible before you get back on the road.

End rant.

 

I appreciate you view... rest assured you can see brake lights and tail lights perfectly fine on my car. I'm not sure what the Jetta had, but it the first thing I checked out when I had them installed. If you were behind me at night you would have no problem seeing my brakes lights.

Thanks for you opinion on the wheels... glad I was the guinea pig before you tried it. Still debating on what to do, but leaning towards stripping and going with a dif color, or getting rid of 'em and going w/ 18 or 19s. I was hopping not to do that till I had more mileage out of the tires (car only has 9K)... there are a few more responses of the Mods/Wheel forum and the consensus there is re-do or get new. That's my true feeling - just getting other opinions.

 

Unless you're going for the military look, I'd choose option 3. Kinda reminds me of Halo 2. Can you say Warthog?

 

Don't do anything for a week or two. See if the grow on you.

 

Someone may have a method by which to give them some more shine. If you could get more shine from them it would likely make 100% difference. I think I know exactly the look you were going for as that is what I want to get out of my wheels as well. No offense but glad it was someone else that did it first. I hope it didn't cost you much cause that just SUCKS if it did. Let us know what you do if you find something that works.

Good luck!

 

Exactly!!! I wanted sleek/stealth and I got Mad Max/Militia!!!! I might need to change the car name to Darth Vader!

 

The powder had gloss and they sprayed a coat of full gloss clear as well, so I'm not sure it would get any shinier... Really, it's the damn color - most other colors with the same process would look way different. Thanks for the suggestion though. Yeah, I figured I'm not the only one who considered it, just the only idiot to try it. Glad I saved you from the turmoil!!!! When I change it (which I'm 99% sure I will) I'll let you know the outcome. At this point it might very well be new wheels though - we'll see.

 

I think they are too dark for the DG. How about a 4th option. Try to find a black sedan owner that is willing to trade his wheel with yours. Then you have a fresh set to play with and the other guy is happy too. I think those wheels would look much better on a black sedan.

 

I agree, they would look much better on a dark car - but there are two problems with finding someone to trade with: 1) I couldn't do a straight trade, because it cost my $400 to get them to look like this... 2) I don't know if I can convince myself to keep driving on them long enough to find someone that would want them.

If someone does want them let me know ASAP, we can work something out… otherwise I’m stripping them and doing a much lighter color… or just buying new – haven’t decided yet but a change will be made very soon!!!

 

How much is it going to cost to strip them? I'm no expert, but what does powder coating/stripping/re-powder coating do to the integrity of the rim?

I'd work toward Cru's option - save yourself the trouble of stripping and recoating. They don't look bad - just not the right color for your car. Maybe if you split the cost of the PC with the person doing the trade (depending on the condition of their wheels) you'll come out ahead.

Personally, I wouldn't want to keep them that color either. The warthog analogy is about perfect - it looks like a military vehicle - and that's coming from someone in the military.

 

Looking closely - they are really shiny - you're right, it's just the color. It's one shade below haze gray (as we say in the Navy).

Side question - how much weight does powder coating a wheel add to the assembly?

 

Yeah, kinda dark. From far, they'd probably be confused for black steel wheels.

 

Kinda funny, with the black lowers and the shadows the way they are (in picture 2) the car looks like it's sitting really high.

 

Bite the bullet and go get new rims/tires... Why waste money messing around with the stock rims... Personaly I would of just bought new rims to begin with then spending the money u did on trying to modify the stock ones.. It would of been cheaper in the long run..