Painted wheels:Unpainted wheels - United Bimmer Community

**Dr1ve4fun** · 06-11-2007, 02:12 AM

As most of you probably know I have painted wheels. I have always wanted to get different wheels because of them being black. I was thinking tonight that I like the wheels I have but I want them to be silver. (not chrome) So my question is can I somehow get all the paint off of them or would they have to be painted silver? If I do have to paint them silver is there a way to make it look like they aren't?

**elsabor67** · 06-11-2007, 03:43 AM

Did your wheels come silver originally or did you spray paint them? I think that with a good paint thinner you should be able to get the paint off unless they have that coating that some or most rims come with.

On the other part. I haven't seen a way to make them look flat silver and not shiny.

**Dr1ve4fun** · 06-11-2007, 03:54 AM

When I got the car they were already black..

I don't mind if they are shiny I just want chrome. I think a flat silver would make them look really cheap and plasticish. I found a website for a company, but they are somewhere in the UK. http://www.lap-tab.co.uk/alloywheels.php Tomorrow I am going to look to see if there is anyone like them near where I am. All I want is for them to look like normal alloys instead of how they are.

edit:What is a powder coat? That might be ok too.

edit2: From what I have been able to find most wheels are actually painted silver. Is that correct? If so would it work to just take them somewhere that can sandblast them (or I also read that it is better to get them media blasted) and then somewhere else that paints wheels?

**QcMarque** · 06-11-2007, 04:15 AM

From what I can recall most rims are powder coated to make them colored (red, black, gunmetal, etc.) which is kind of like painting, but includes harsher chemicals in the process and can not be removed with paint thinner.

If you media/sand blast them you want to make sure they use a VERY fine media otherwise you get the bruched look which is sort of a dull-ish look, due to small pitting all over.

There may be a process that the wheels could be put through to remove the coating on them without causing any pitting. Though I would check with someone proficient in that field to be sure of your options.

**Dudesky** · 06-11-2007, 06:54 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder_coating

nick_318is · 06-18-2007, 10:13 PM

I might get my BBS powder-coated gunmetal and maybe get some rim repair to get any rash out.

**c1apton** · 06-19-2007, 03:55 AM

www.capitalwheels.com

**Dr1ve4fun** · 06-19-2007, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick_318is

I might get my BBS powder-coated gunmetal and maybe get some rim repair to get any rash out.

Thats kind of what I am thinking of doing at this point.. I don't know I am kind of wanting new wheels again. I keep changing my mind about if I like these ones or not.

I might just try and pick up some of the original ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by c1apton

www.capitalwheels.com

That link won't work for me..

witeshark · 06-19-2007, 11:21 PM

Bad server, over loaded

**c1apton** · 06-20-2007, 12:05 AM

you have to try at different times of day. when I posted their site was working fine, but they supply millions of co.s and do custom chrome OEM wheels for dealers, etc too

**Dr1ve4fun** · 06-20-2007, 03:51 PM

It worked now. Thanks

**TerryY** · 06-20-2007, 05:20 PM

You might talk to these guys in Tucson.

http://www.nuwheel.com/

I don't remember them from when I was there so I don't know anything about them but they can at least see your wheels in person and tell you what can be done with them.

**Dr1ve4fun** · 06-20-2007, 06:21 PM

I have never heard of them, but that is probably because they are all the way out on palo verde. I'm going to email pictures to them to see what they say since it is kind of far from where I am. Thanks

**Odysseus535i** · 11-25-2007, 11:36 AM

the above are all good suggestions, but you'll find they will cost as much as a new set of wheels, providing you want to have a good job done. I'm serious; new wheels are very inexpensive these days.
if not, glassbeading and media blasting are your best bet. then have a body shop paint and clearcoat them, to prevent pitting and corroding. for paint i'll recommend ENDURA. it's a two part paint and it dries to a very hard finish. matter of fact, if you paint a car with it, you can dance on the roof after complete drying. Most heavy trucks, highway and off-road are using this paint. also most race cars up here (Edmonton, Canada) are painted with ENDURA. it's a locally made product, but shipped all over the world. as well, one of the two sons of the owner has about 50 BMWs of various types. most from previous decades.