08 STI Rims - Painting thoughts/input?

[AL0500]

Hi guys, any advice whatsoever welcomed from fellow forum members......

WHAT I WANT TO ACHIEVE
I wish to change my 08’ (Silver) Tuned by STI rims to the Charcoal colour. I have some ‘slight’ gutter rash marks on the existing rims from the previous owner so I planned to:

-Have the gutter rash fixed
** Bob Jane quoted $77 per wheel (seems fair)
** The Wheel Man or Magman is also an option (here in Sydney)...?

-Remove the rims and have them painted in the factory Charcoal colour

ANY SPECIFIC INPUT WOULD BE APPRECIATED:
1- Are there any suggestions on a paint shop that will do a thorough job (Sydney)
** I wish to ensure that I can confidently let the local car wash use say the gurney on the rims and not lose a layer of paint..!

2- How do you suggest I facilitate the process with the rims off the car for a week or so?
** Should I beg/borrow a set of rims that will clear the Brembo’s to at least be able to move the car if need be?
** Or jack the car up in the garage and leave it sitting there with no wheels for a week (a little unsure of this..?)

3. Should I simply avoid all the processes above and purchase a set of new Charcoal rims and sell my original items second hand?

Again, any form of input/suggestions will be appreciated - thanks in advance

[jdm rsk]

i powder coated my'n matt black they do have a lot of colours. cost was $300 cash at mr clean at padstow

[AL0500]

^^^^
Shane - Thanks for that. Mates have also suggested Powdercoating v's painting?

BTW - That looks great on your car & the close up shot looks like a great finish. Have you noticed any chips etc?

[jdm rsk]

^^^^
Shane - Thanks for that. Mates have also suggested Powdercoating v's painting?

BTW - That looks great on your car & the close up shot looks like a great finish. Have you noticed any chips etc?

no clips as yet that i can see

[swingn]

Powder coating as Shano suggest is generally the best & cheapest way to go... The rims on my EVO are powder coated btw

I know a few of the EVO guys have found a place that can paint wheels rather cheap (In fact cheaper the powder coating from what I heard) & the overall finish has been top notch... If you want to send me a PM as a reminder I'll see if I can get more details for you

[Greenman]

+ 1 for Powder coating your rims....I have found it is a much stronger and longer lasting finish.
Although there are Powder coaters and wheel finishers who powder coat.
My Guy in Melbourne Acid dips the rims rather than sandblasts the old finish off.
Something to do with weakening the rim when they are sandblasted.
Craig at colouryourmags maintains the factory groove finish behind the rim......gives it a more factory finish.
If anyone in Melbourne is interested and needs gear done I highly recommend him.
His workshop is amazing and his pricing is very competitive....around $300 to $400 a set depending on how much or no damage you have on your rims.

[hamish_023]

I Am looking at getting my Ultraleggera's painted silver or gunmetal (currently matt black) and what i have found is the following...

Powdercoating
- Less likely to get stone chips as it's a harder finish
- Doesn't scratch as much when wiping down as it's tougher then paint
- Thicker coating with out paint running
- Last 5 - 10 years before UV brakes it down

Painting
- Easier to fix/repair
- No heating process, so it doesn't weaken the rim

If any of this is wrong please correct me but.
Let us know what way you go and what colour you choose.

[senator]

I Am looking at getting my Ultraleggera's painted silver or gunmetal (currently matt black) and what i have found is the following...

Powdercoating
- Less likely to get stone chips as it's a harder finish
- Doesn't scratch as much when wiping down as it's tougher then paint
- Thicker coating with out paint running
- Last 5 - 10 years before UV brakes it down

Painting
- Easier to fix/repair
- No heating process, so it doesn't weaken the rim

If any of this is wrong please correct me but.
Let us know what way you go and what colour you choose.

Powder coating light weight wheels is risky....... unless the powder coaters have good control of the heating process used....... not many do.

i would paint them.....

Bear in mind once a powder coated surface is chipped, the surrounding paints tends to lift….. This doesn't happen with painted wheels.

Paint is a softer finish which means it will flex further before cracking/chipping.

[jdm rsk]

Powder coating temps are Around 200c for 10 minutes. You brakes would get hotter than that and the temperature would transfer through to rims.

[senator]

-Have the gutter rash fixed
** Bob Jane quoted $77 per wheel (seems fair)
** The Wheel Man or Magman is also an option (here in Sydney)...?

Adam just make sure when they do repair the wheel they replace the missing metal with metal not fill it with body filler..... its common with cheaper repairs.

i had gutter rash fixed on the same wheel, the repairer grinded back the affected area and welded more metal before machining back the area...... the work was great, i couldn't see or feel the rash any more.

I used Morton May in Liverpool....... they are not cheap but really know their stuff.

BTW i think the charcoal colour on the 07 tb sti wheels is alot better then the 08 charcoal finish.

I know Magman in Bankstown has done some work for a member here...... PM Adam for details.

[senator]

Powder coating temps are Around 200c for 10 minutes. You brakes would get hotter than that and the temperature would transfer through to rims.

Shano its different in the oven, you can't compare it to normal driving cause the wheels is always exposed to a constant flow of air which cools the wheel.

[jdm rsk]

Powder coating temps are Around 200c for 10 minutes. You brakes would get hotter than that and the temperature would transfer through to rims.

Shano its different in the oven, you can't compare it to normal driving cause the wheels is always exposed to a constant flow of air which cools the wheel.

Didn't affect my rims, Trieus or matts

[AL0500]

Adam just make sure when they do repair the wheel they replace the missing metal with metal not fill it with body filler..... its common with cheaper repairs.

i had gutter rash fixed on the same wheel, the repairer grinded back the affected area and welded more metal before machining back the area...... the work was great, i couldn't see or feel the rash any more.

I used Morton May in Liverpool....... they are not cheap but really know their stuff

Noted, many thanks

BTW i think the charcoal colour on the 07 tb sti wheels is alot better then the 08 charcoal finish.

I know Magman in Bankstown has done some work for a member here...... PM Adam for details.

So the colour is the same on the 07 v 08, simply the finish you are refering to?

[AL0500]

All great info guys...... I couldn't work out how to do multiple quotes, so thanks to all.

[senator]

Yes the 07 seems to be more of a charcoal metallic gunmetal, but the 08 is flat dark grey