Powdercoating style 168 wheels.opinions on color?

[four.8is]

Took the summer wheels out of the storage , tires off, and getting ready to refinish them...
I'd like some opinions on what goes best on lemans blue.
Gunmetal is one option, or if I can't decide, I'll just do the factory silver .

One shop I called, recommended a coat of clear on top of darker finishes like gunmetal otherwise they said it'll look kind of dull..
What are your guys's experience?

Got quoted 180$ / wheel ;clear coat included.

[14thbmw]

My wheels are powdercoated with Anthracite to match the body, and look great when new. But they get curb rash and even chips every time new tires are put on. Power coating is harder to fix than paint because of the thickness. So while I like the color (brake dust is hidden), I don't care for the maintenance. I'd go with paint next time and not powder coating just so touch ups are easier.

[four.8is]

The reason I wanted to powdercoat them is because like you say it's a durable finish..
I could do the painting myself since I own airless and air assisted rigs but I'm not sure I want to do that...
I'm not worried about scuffs and marks from installing the tires since I always pay more to get them installed and if I see a scratch they will have to pay to refinish that wheel.

[jsoto]

Four

There are different gloss levels on clearcoat as well FWIW.

I've had TONS on wheel dismounts/mounts on the various wheels I've had PC. NONE had chipped due to tire mounting, etc.

There is a certain key element to the person doing the powdercoating. Not too thick, not too thin. Needs to be prepped for the powder to bite into the finish, etc, etc...

Take a quick look at my recent blown tire thread. That is a 3 stage color. I can't recall what it was but it was a base coat color, then another color with some flake, and then a semi-matte clear.

[Joshdub]

Have you called Meisterwerks in Renton? They do excellent work and can also mount your tires.

[Rockit]

I used Extreme chrome on my 2002 4.4....you would think its like chrome but it's silver that has a ever so slight shine.

Ideally you want a dark color in the spokes as not to show break dust and on the face of the wheel a lighter color. I'm going to do my other car that way soon. Like a dark gun metal on the inner spoke and rim and the outer face a light to chrome silver.

I have that on my 2014 MB GL 450 and they look really good and does not show the brake dust. You cant tell in the picture but the inside spokes are much darker.

[four.8is]

Originally Posted by Rockit

I used Extreme chrome on my 2002 4.4....you would think its like chrome but it's silver that has a ever so slight shine.

Ideally you want a dark color in the spokes as not to show break dust and on the face of the wheel a lighter color. I'm going to do my other car that way soon. Like a dark gun metal on the inner spoke and rim and the outer face a light to chrome silver.

I have that on my 2014 MB GL 450 and they look really good and does not show the brake dust. You cant tell in the picture but the inside spokes are much darker.

I'm not sure I like the idea of 2 colors on the wheels.
I always liked the back matching the spokes , if kept clean it looks really good especially on a more open design wheel.
Now of course if cleaning the wheel barrels is next to impossible then maybe I'd choose a darker color on them...

And with the new pads, brake dust is almost inexistent if I wash the car every week.
Thanks for your input though!

[Joshdub]

I don't know what balancing machine MW uses unfortunately. But its a a very small shop run by the guy who also runs Waterwerks and is extremely active in the local euro enthusiast community.

I need to ditch my winters too, but after the April fools snow storm I am not sure winter has had it's last breath. I'm still hoping for some more snow in the mountains.

[four.8is]

Originally Posted by Joshdub

Have you called Meisterwerks in Renton? They do excellent work and can also mount your tires.

Hey Josh I've never heard of them but I'll give them a call.
The place I was talking about is in Kent and is called Seattle wheel service.
They also mount tires and balance wheels on Hunter machines.
We'll see what I end up doing..
Gotta change the winter run flats FAST.

[4.8isX5]

Get pads that dont dust like OEM, mine were about 85% when i got the car and chucked them in the trash asap..

Go with factory color, best imo, especially if fresh powdercoat theyll pop nice.

The gunmetal to me personally looks like the wheels are coated in brake dust.