magixpuma

lets vote for silliest andgreatest mod ever you get my vote for simply being outragoes and going ***** to the walls.

Soundave

Well...thanks for the mixed opinions. It really all comes down to a matter of personal preference. I was trying to decide between gunmetal and bronze (the stock rims look aftermarket already, so why not make them stand out right?). I think this color combo works pretty well together, but that's just me.

sup3rbad

The wheels look good. Thanks for the write up, I might do the same thing to my stock wheels once i go aftermarket. Maybe in gunmetal or black or gold

Mikelikes2drive

now i need to see gold SF challanges on the black rx-8 but yah i think the whole gold rims look started with the skyline... no?

DreRX8

Not Skyline--Subies I believe

Ned M

iTrader: (2)

You wouldn't happen to be an ex-Trans Am owner would you?

Not hard to place that black and gold color combo; I had one myself.

Looks nice; just no chickens on the hood, ok?

Thanks,

Burt Reynolds

Soundave

Never had a Trans Am, nor any domestics for that matter. And no chickens on the hood either

Gold really goes well with black and white cars. When I first saw the gold/blue combo on Subarus, it looked kinda funny.

Mikelikes2drive

gold goes best with that blue color or white then black IMO

pepe

Well done, great idea... doesn't do anything for me, but clever thinking

BTW, anyone else think the colour makes the wheel look smaller?

Soundave

This is just a minor update. I blacked out my center caps with some glossy engine enamel paint, and it provides some nice contrast.

Ole Spiff

I think you're on the right track. I recall how great the Lotus John Player Special formula one cars looked in their black and gold color scheme. Very classy look. Some of the old Colt revolvers from the Civil War era that were special models with their blackened barrels and gold inlay engraving were gorgeous too. Black and gold is a good combo if done right.

On your last pic, I think you should do the Mazda logo itself in gold on the center cap, and you might consider doing the lug nut holes in black. Try a flat black poster paint on one wheel just to see what it looks like; if it doesn't work, then it's easily removed with water. If you like it, then remove with water and use the right kind of black paint to make it permanent.

In fact, do a search on the web for some photos of the Lotus JPS Formula One cars; there's bound to be some pix that show their black and gold scheme.

futureownr4sure

Very nice job!!

Soundave

Thank you. Honestly, I might have to strip these down and redo them in 2-3 years. I did a pretty half-assed job, but it's good for the time being and I gained a lot of experience from it. I'm expecting to spend about 3 days doing the wheels (I'm going to steel wool the wheels after each coat of paint/clear coat dries). It should look a lot glossier and smoother.

takahashi

I am not trying to be a smartass but... is this bronze or gold?

Anyway... IT KICK ***. Love it. Especially on black - the best wheel colour for a black car. :D

Soundave

Hehe, it is a really light metallic bronze. The picture you loaded is the first set of 2 I did, and I didn't put enough paint and clear coat on it, so it looks kinda dull and bronzed (which is nice). The one I recently loaded up was my 2nd set, which was done with more paint (same paint as the first one) and more clear coat, so it looks shinier and kinda like gold. But it is bronze and the color looks really good in person. Thanks for the compliment

EZZY

100 points for the effort and courage, but it looked a little dodgy (especially your last pic). not enough coverage in some areas (different colour depth) and should've used sticky tapes around the wheels instead of the index cards. for a smoother finish, you can even use 500 grit sand paper or even fine grit sortch bright.

pls tell me you have a couple of layers of etch primer before you applied the colour. etch primier acts as a bonding agent between the alloy and the actual paint. just like you need plastic primer for paint plastic pieces. if not, expect the paint to come off soon.

okay i go now... :o

Omicron

Don't let the negative opinions get ya down, Soundave. Regardless of whether or not people like your color choice, you did a nice job... and congrats on having the courage to tackle this!

Soundave

Hehe, thanks Omicron. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I know each person has their own views on what looks good and what doesn't. I do appreciate all the input and advice though. I don't expect the paint to stay on these for more than 2 years (but who knows), and I do plan on repainting them myself. Maybe in the same color, maybe black, or maybe even have them powdercoated if I have the mula to do it.

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

I've been very tempted on painting my stockers a gun metal color for my black car... maybe when I yank them off for my winter wheels they will mysteriously change color one day

anyway, good job

FONZIE

Keep us updated on the durability of this paint. I'm interested if it's tough enough for this environment. Also, if the brake dust degrades it as well.

dankgummy

I think it looks good, extra props for having the ***** to do it. I want to do the same in black..I assume the same technique is to be used? Do you think that you will have to do this often?? say every X amount of months. Does anyone have an idea as to how much it would cost to get this done professionally??

Soundave

I think someone said you can get the rims powdercoated for $70/rim on this board. I think if you add enough coats of clear coat, you should be fine for a while

Soundave

Just thought I'd do an update. It's been a few months and the paint is holding up nicely. The rough areas, however, are extremely hard to clean because of all the brake dust trapped in the groves. I have noticed a few chips here and there (from rocks on the road I imagine), but the overall durability is pretty good.

Zofran

Thanks for this guide, a friend of mine is thinking about gold rims for his Q45, This may work for him.

I think it looks pretty damn good on yours too btw!

Soundave

Thanks! If your friend is thinking about bronzing his wheels, he might want to consider using a spray on clear coat stripper rather than sandpaper. It yield a more even surface and take off more of the clear coat.