painted wheel questions

tmqdoc1 · 04-06-2008, 10:07 PM

When I bought my used black C5 it came with black painted stock wheels which I really like. I am not sure if they were just painted or powder coated. Is there a way to tell? There is one spot on the edge of the rim lip near the tire where it has peeled a little. Also, there are weights on the lip which are also black.

I will need to replace tires this summer. When switching tires should I expect any paint to peel from the lip? I guess I would have them static balance and keep the weights on the inside and hope the wheel is black underneath. Also what about the lug nuts? Are these likely to scratch as well?

I like the Black out look but am concerened about the durability. Is there any specific process or vendor that does provide a black wheel and or lugs that are very durable?

Thanks,

Chris.

tmqdoc1 · 04-07-2008, 10:44 AM

Any tips for touching up areas? Just scuff and brush?

ccdan · 04-07-2008, 11:53 AM

Chris,

If it's peeling chances are that it's been painted. There's no telling how durable the finish is due to the fact it depends on alot of factors. How well the wheel was preped before paint, what paint was used, what stage paint was used, etc. Since you didn't paint them or have them painted you have no answer to any of those questions.

I would have a shop with a touchless mounter take the tires on and off as this may save the finish and you could just touch them up while the tires are off. That or you could just refinish them that way that way you know they were done right. I would either powdercoat them (hard to get done without alot of orange peel) or use a Base-Coat, Clear-Coat automotive grade paint.

Once new tires are on you can still dynamic ballance a wheel with stick on weights. You can use two different locations on the inner barrel to do so. I would suggest having them roadforce ballanced...

Depending on what year vette you have and wheels you have I might beable to point you in the right direction to getting what you want but new and already painted black. Easier for you as you can get a new wheel and tire package and make the swap easy.

Dan

tmqdoc1 · 04-07-2008, 11:46 PM

Thanks for the info Dan. I have an 00 black vert. They are factory thin spokes and I think you are right probably just painted black not powder coated. When I have bought performance tires and or wheels in the past I have always tried to stay within the specs that walmart can service. There is really no where else I can find that will mount tires bought elsewhere at a reasonable price. I cant see paying 200 bucks for mounting and balancing a set of tires when walmart will do it for 60 and lifetime rotation and balance. I know only balancing applies here.

Anyway, with that in mind I was looking at replacing the runflats with those new verdstein tires. I had thought about just touching up the wheels after the new balancing if needed. I also thought about having them powder coated black. It sounds like you dont think the powder coating gives a good quality finish? I guess I also tossed around the idea of chroming them but I really like the all black look and would like to avoid spending too much money. At least the stock wheels are good quality unlike the cheaper repro's.

What would you do?

ccdan · 04-08-2008, 10:42 AM

LOL....I've worked at several shops over the years and unfortunately I have to say I worked at Wal-Mart doing tires for about 3 weeks before I moved back to FL to work for CCW. Big change right... I had prior experience to working at both with Hunters top of the line Mounter & Roadforce balancer and would get nothing less. It is one thing if you don't have another option than Wal-Mart will work. Wal-Mart hires basically WHOEVER with experience or not; knowing what I do now after working there I would never have them do anything to my car. Wal-Mart can give good deals like that cause they pay there employee's nothing, basically a monopoly, and have crappy equipment (at least any one I’ve ever seen). Balancers at the Wal-Mart I worked at were 4 years old (fairly new; no roadforce) cost about 2-3 grand. A hunter Roadforce machine cost 12-14 grand; that in the extra time and care it takes to do the job right defiantly compensates for the price.

Personally, I would purchase a set of repo wheels. That way you can get brand new tires and mount them together as a fresh set and still have your old set for whatever. Not to mention the finish will look great and be durable. Easy to swap wheels when you have two complete sets. Call Jimmy over at Atomic Autosports (www.atomicautostore.com) tell him Dan referred you and hell take care of you on the wheels.

Hope that helps! Dan

tmqdoc1 · 04-08-2008, 09:26 PM

Thanks Dan. I appreciate the info and your insight based on the experience. Yeah, I agree. I think I'll just go with all new set in a month or two.

Chris.