I'm looking to get some black wheels to complete the "blacked out" look on my CS, but frankly, money is tight right now and it may be a while before I can buy some aftermarket ones. How difficult would it be to paint my stock polished ones (and look good)? I tried to see if someone would bite for a straight trade, but got no takers, so I'm pondering this option.

 

painting them wouldnt be too hard, making it look good would be the tough part, just do some research on how to properly paint polished (?) metal.

i've seen the stock 17" double 5 spoke wheels painted, but not bullitts

 

Have you considered having them powdercoated? Til you get done prepping/painting them you would probably have the same amount of money into them but the powdercoat would look a lot better and last a lot longer. JMO.

 

I agree. Powder coating looks great to.

 

hmmm,

I hadn't thought of that option. Is it generally not too expensive?

 

<-- is watching this thread intently.

 

Probably in the neighborhood of 50 bucks/rim. Just look in your yellow pages under powder coating, call a place up, and get a quote.

 

Here is my car, I did this last june. It took me the whole weekend but I had to pretty much do one wheel at a time. I used Duplicolor high heat engine paint in flat black, then used krylon flat clear over it. The longest part of the job was sanding and taping. I taped the tires off around the wheel.

It is holding up pretty well. I have a few months left on the tires probably so the true test will come when I need new tires. I have thought about trying to buy some 300 take offs then having them powdercoated before getting tires for durability.

 

looks good, man. I plan to live the lips alone, though. I like a little contrast.

 

I have painted wheels before with a rattlecan, and IMO I would not do it again.

With good prep, it looks GREAT...for a while. But if the car is daily driven, in my opinion the spray bomb just doesn't have enough durability to withstand rocks, salt, etc.

Powdercoating can be pricey depending on your area. I've seen them for as low as $50 per wheel, but I paid $100 for a powdercoat with clear on top. Also remember that you'll have to pay for removal and mounting and balancing with your stockers or new wheels.

So if you like your stockers enough, then it might be worth it. But trying to leave a naked lip can be difficult with powdercoating. Sounds like you might be better off getting new black wheels and selling your stockers.

 

Those polished 18" can go for some good money. I bet you can sell those and almost recoup your cost in aftermarket ones.

 

You're probably right, but I'd still need new tires as well if I go with bigger wheels, which I would like to (at least 18 x 9"). I don't think the 235s would fit on a 9" rim, would they?

 

i painted mine black. they held up great for about 9mo. now they are starting to chip a little