Painting aluminum wheels???

MTLINFO · 02-09-2005, 01:24 PM

Ok I got aluminum wheels on my GT but want chromed ones instead.

What would you do here?

Do an exchange with a scrap yard that has chromed wheels or paint the ones that I have? (i'm not even sure if a chrome paint really exist in a spray can).

Panacea · 02-09-2005, 01:35 PM

It'd be better to get the chrometechs.

Rustoleum makes a chrome paint that comes in a spray can.

HiFiCarGuy · 02-09-2005, 01:53 PM

But it doesn't look like actual chrome, just really shiny silver. The only thing you can do for real chrome is swap them, or have your current ones chromed (not at all worth the money)

Panacea · 02-09-2005, 02:27 PM

Have you actually use the chrome paint? I'll spray some and get a sample from work and take a picture for you this weekend.

MTLINFO · 02-09-2005, 02:49 PM

Wow!

You would do that

Thanks a lot pal, I own you one

HiFiCarGuy · 02-10-2005, 12:13 AM

I used it a long while back when I was painting a go-cart ( I was 13) and it really wasn't as "chrome" as I had hoped for. Unless they've changed it, then I might be interested too!

Panacea · 02-10-2005, 02:38 AM

It's hard saying. I know my manager said that Rustoleum's spent millions of dollars trying to get the caps to look as close to the color as possible. Like I said I'll try to get a sample this weekend. Can't guarantee that I'll remember or that my camera will develop the pictures correctly, but we'll see.

MTLINFO · 02-13-2005, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panacea

It's hard saying. I know my manager said that Rustoleum's spent millions of dollars trying to get the caps to look as close to the color as possible. Like I said I'll try to get a sample this weekend. Can't guarantee that I'll remember or that my camera will develop the pictures correctly, but we'll see.

So what's new on that Panacea?

SC/TGrandAm · 02-13-2005, 03:54 AM

Ive tried the rustoleum and the duplicolor (not on my car) and it is nowhere near chrome.

I cant believe you want to paint your wheels with spray paint... thats so ghetto. If you want chrome please just chrome plate them and save yourself the hassle or get chrome wheels.

GaRedCoupe · 02-13-2005, 12:01 PM

Kinda like polished wheels.

Just kidding kyle. I'd still take yours over mine

.

xxbackhillxx · 02-13-2005, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTLINFO

Ok I got aluminum wheels on my GT but want chromed ones instead.

What would you do here?

Do an exchange with a scrap yard that has chromed wheels or paint the ones that I have? (i'm not even sure if a chrome paint really exist in a spray can).

buy aftermarket chrome wheels, sell your stockers (or keep them for winter) and call it a day.

Panacea · 02-15-2005, 03:53 AM

Sorry, I lost this thread. I thought it was in the Appearance section. I have the sample, but I lost it.

I'm pretty sure it's in my car. I'll try getting a pic today or tomorrow. It does not look like chrome, or should I say polished chrome. It looks more like chrome with chrome polish on it. Anyway, I'll try getting a pic in a day or two, def. not something I'd recommend.

itsjustmewarren · 02-15-2005, 09:24 AM

im just wondering is it a good idea to spray paint your rims? like will the paint hold and such, i wanna make mine black but i dont know how well it will work and with the plastic valve covers and such

JohnnyB4439 · 02-15-2005, 10:29 AM

honestly i dont see any spray paint holding up on your rims, if the paint thats on your car chips from rock and such (and thats professional), what makes you think it wont chip on your rims?

Panacea · 02-15-2005, 12:54 PM

The spray paint will hold up pretty well, but it's all in how you prep the surface and actually apply the paint. Personally, if you wanted black rims, I would get them powder coated.

JohnnyB4439 · 02-15-2005, 02:28 PM

thats what i would probably do to.

itsjustmewarren · 02-15-2005, 03:37 PM

ya thats what im thinking of doing, 300 bucks aint bad for a job like that with all the prep work. the only probem i have other then the money is the fact that the valve covers wont match exacatally

Panacea · 02-19-2005, 03:47 PM

Okay, I just cleaned out my car and I can't find that sample. It may be buried in my room somewhere. I am going to clean house tonight and I hope to find it. If not I will try to get another sample tomorrow. Sorry about the wait.

GTguy · 02-19-2005, 08:17 PM

The stock aluminum wheels are spray painted over and they scratch easy. I wouldnt spray paint it myself as a aftermarket professional has the know how and tools to make it harder, stronger and way shinier than me or factory. Im thinking about black too but with a clearcoat it would rock. Just doing the oputer rim might save some money and time. I wouldnt go to a scrapyard for chromies unless u just want the center caps cus you cant tell if they are warped or not, the guys will slap on balancers and do your alignment, thus manipulating your factory true alignment and change your driving feeling all together, possibly give you a bent steering wheel feel with normal coasting just becus u bought a warped rim or 2. Just buy some centerlines for 150 bucks each or somethin new as chrome plating will cost the same (if done correctly) but leave you with brand new custom rims. If you go for a cheap chrome job it wont look deep and shiny and possibly chip very fast. One thing u dont worry about is rust, as cheaply done steel wheels are noticeable almost instantly.

gthirty6ptime · 02-24-2005, 01:30 PM

just buy new wheels and go with a more custom look

02-09-2005, 01:24 PM	#1
MTLINFO GAGT - Member AKA: Richard Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 62 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT Sedan	Painting aluminum wheels??? Ok I got aluminum wheels on my GT but want chromed ones instead. What would you do here? Do an exchange with a scrap yard that has chromed wheels or paint the ones that I have? (i'm not even sure if a chrome paint really exist in a spray can).

02-09-2005, 01:35 PM	#2
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	It'd be better to get the chrometechs. Rustoleum makes a chrome paint that comes in a spray can. __________________ "Never argue with idiots. They bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience."

02-09-2005, 01:53 PM	#3
HiFiCarGuy VV Summer VV AKA: Chris Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Clarkston/East Lansing, MI Age: 36 Posts: 760 Vehicle: 06 Scion tC, 78 Pacer	But it doesn't look like actual chrome, just really shiny silver. The only thing you can do for real chrome is swap them, or have your current ones chromed (not at all worth the money) __________________ Cardomain

02-09-2005, 02:27 PM	#4
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	Have you actually use the chrome paint? I'll spray some and get a sample from work and take a picture for you this weekend. __________________ "Never argue with idiots. They bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience."

02-10-2005, 12:13 AM	#6
HiFiCarGuy VV Summer VV AKA: Chris Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Clarkston/East Lansing, MI Age: 36 Posts: 760 Vehicle: 06 Scion tC, 78 Pacer	I used it a long while back when I was painting a go-cart ( I was 13) and it really wasn't as "chrome" as I had hoped for. Unless they've changed it, then I might be interested too! __________________ Cardomain

02-09-2005, 02:49 PM	#5
MTLINFO GAGT - Member AKA: Richard Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Montreal Posts: 62 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT Sedan	Wow! You would do that Thanks a lot pal, I own you one

02-10-2005, 02:38 AM	#7
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	It's hard saying. I know my manager said that Rustoleum's spent millions of dollars trying to get the caps to look as close to the color as possible. Like I said I'll try to get a sample this weekend. Can't guarantee that I'll remember or that my camera will develop the pictures correctly, but we'll see. __________________ "Never argue with idiots. They bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience."

02-13-2005, 03:54 AM	#9
SC/TGrandAm Newbie AKA: Kyle Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI Age: 39 Posts: 2,944 Vehicle: 2008 Accord	Ive tried the rustoleum and the duplicolor (not on my car) and it is nowhere near chrome. I cant believe you want to paint your wheels with spray paint... thats so ghetto. If you want chrome please just chrome plate them and save yourself the hassle or get chrome wheels. __________________ 2008 Accord EX-L Coupe 2002 GA SCT- R.I.P HID Pioneer http://www.myspace.com/Kleigou

02-13-2005, 12:01 PM	#10
GaRedCoupe GAGT - Member AKA: Eric Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Raymore Missouri Age: 34 Posts: 317 Vehicle: 1998 Grand Prix GTP	Kinda like polished wheels. Just kidding kyle. I'd still take yours over mine .

02-15-2005, 03:53 AM	#12
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	Sorry, I lost this thread. I thought it was in the Appearance section. I have the sample, but I lost it. I'm pretty sure it's in my car. I'll try getting a pic today or tomorrow. It does not look like chrome, or should I say polished chrome. It looks more like chrome with chrome polish on it. Anyway, I'll try getting a pic in a day or two, def. not something I'd recommend. __________________ "Never argue with idiots. They bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience."

02-15-2005, 09:24 AM	#13
itsjustmewarren GAGT - Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg MB Age: 35 Posts: 28 Vehicle: 1998 Grand Am GT Coupe	im just wondering is it a good idea to spray paint your rims? like will the paint hold and such, i wanna make mine black but i dont know how well it will work and with the plastic valve covers and such __________________ Warren 98 Grand Am GT

02-15-2005, 10:29 AM	#14
JohnnyB4439 Live For This! AKA: Johnny Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: St.Louis, Missouri Age: 36 Posts: 1,217 Vehicle: 2004 GTO A4	honestly i dont see any spray paint holding up on your rims, if the paint thats on your car chips from rock and such (and thats professional), what makes you think it wont chip on your rims? __________________ http://www.jbdvds.com

02-15-2005, 12:54 PM	#15
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	The spray paint will hold up pretty well, but it's all in how you prep the surface and actually apply the paint. Personally, if you wanted black rims, I would get them powder coated. __________________ "Never argue with idiots. They bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience."

02-15-2005, 02:28 PM	#16
JohnnyB4439 Live For This! AKA: Johnny Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: St.Louis, Missouri Age: 36 Posts: 1,217 Vehicle: 2004 GTO A4	thats what i would probably do to. __________________ http://www.jbdvds.com

02-15-2005, 03:37 PM	#17
itsjustmewarren GAGT - Newbie Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg MB Age: 35 Posts: 28 Vehicle: 1998 Grand Am GT Coupe	ya thats what im thinking of doing, 300 bucks aint bad for a job like that with all the prep work. the only probem i have other then the money is the fact that the valve covers wont match exacatally __________________ Warren 98 Grand Am GT

02-19-2005, 03:47 PM	#18
Panacea Mmmm Donuts. AKA: Macleod52 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rock Island, IL Age: 40 Posts: 3,160 Vehicle: '09 Malibu LTZ	Okay, I just cleaned out my car and I can't find that sample. It may be buried in my room somewhere. I am going to clean house tonight and I hope to find it. If not I will try to get another sample tomorrow. Sorry about the wait. __________________ "Never argue with idiots. They bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience."

02-19-2005, 08:17 PM	#19
GTguy Cab Driver Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: BC Age: 44 Posts: 61 Vehicle: 03 Grand Am GT Sedan	The stock aluminum wheels are spray painted over and they scratch easy. I wouldnt spray paint it myself as a aftermarket professional has the know how and tools to make it harder, stronger and way shinier than me or factory. Im thinking about black too but with a clearcoat it would rock. Just doing the oputer rim might save some money and time. I wouldnt go to a scrapyard for chromies unless u just want the center caps cus you cant tell if they are warped or not, the guys will slap on balancers and do your alignment, thus manipulating your factory true alignment and change your driving feeling all together, possibly give you a bent steering wheel feel with normal coasting just becus u bought a warped rim or 2. Just buy some centerlines for 150 bucks each or somethin new as chrome plating will cost the same (if done correctly) but leave you with brand new custom rims. If you go for a cheap chrome job it wont look deep and shiny and possibly chip very fast. One thing u dont worry about is rust, as cheaply done steel wheels are noticeable almost instantly.

02-24-2005, 01:30 PM	#20
gthirty6ptime eclipse equiped Join Date: May 2003 Location: steel city pittsburgh Age: 35 Posts: 50 Vehicle: 1992 grand am gt coupe	just buy new wheels and go with a more custom look __________________ selling 2 eclipse 12's selling car-SOLD-eagle 192's Selling-* low wing, Selling-AAS front and Side, Selling-*** rear

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