Piming my ride- well I'm sure some would think I am

[AndyC]

I'm trying out the look of anthracite coloured wheels instead of steel coloured ones. So I've sprayed one, having taken most of the old paint off (had to come off anyway).

I'm not 100% sure if it's the right colour, but I do think it's better than the original colours, or at least with the Silk red car which is a little dark itself. I'll give it a few weeks and make a choice.

[Qwertyco]

Hi Andy and thanks for the Hello on my 'New' thread.
My wheels have been a sort of Anthracite for 20 years now, with machined outer rims.
Had them reconditioned that way.
I'll post a pic of one ASAP.
Come to think of it, they may be more gunmetal than anthracite.
I'm not good with colours, I'm a bloke.

[AndyC]

I only know to call it anthracite as that's what the tin has printed on it. It's a bit darker than I was initially thinking I'd go for, which was more gun metal. I like the idea of turned outers except that I may damage them and so the lacquer would become ineffective, at least with paint I can effect a localised repair.

[AndyC]

Old colour of wheels (well, where the paint was still there). It equates to "steel" in Halford's paint colours for wheels.


And the new trial colour, I have to ignore the fact it's shinier, any wheel whichever colour I go for will look a lot better than the current ones. There are some paint issues that mean it's not a good job, but all I really want is to make up my mind over a few weeks rather than have to make a decision based on a photo-shopped image.
This is "anthracite" in the Halford's wheel paint options.

[Qwertyco]

Mine are the older 14" speedlines.
I took some still photo's with a video camera but they were crap.
I'll have another go with a proper camera tonight.

[Simpatico]

IMHO the Excel is too "classic" a shape (I'll avoid using the word old) to really suit dark alloy wheels which is quite a modern thing. Try getting your alloys done at a *proper* refinisher rather than just the local powder coater, and you can get the factory glittery look back again instead of dull steel grey.

[RRHANS]

I am also in the proces of repainting my original wheels.
Bright silver looks best as the wheel looks larger.
The darker, the smaller they look.
Two tone (silver lip & darker center) like celebration model might look good to.
And if I had a white one my wheels would be white.

[AndyC]

Now, two tone sounds good.

[Qwertyco]

here's two tone, could do with a bit of polish on them though . . . .

[MrCoolA]

)

I'm trying out the look of anthracite coloured wheels instead of steel coloured ones. So I've sprayed one, having taken most of the old paint off (had to come off anyway).

I'm not 100% sure if it's the right colour, but I do think it's better than the original colours, or at least with the Silk red car which is a little dark itself. I'll give it a few weeks and make a choice.

in the end the only opinion that counts is yours and what you like, after all i run Pacific Blue SE with gold wheels on it ans i think it looks great (others don't )

[KevW]

Looks good. The finish you achieved looks good too.

[RRHANS]

I will paint my original wheels silver since my others are 16'' two tone.

[Ozzy_UK]

Mine are White to match the car

[AndyC]

Well, I played some more today.


As you can see it's partially the anthracite colour, but with the rim taken to a chrome look paint (not very chrome-like but a light silver). I then highlighted the recessed "LOTUS" by spraying the silver over the anthracite centre caps and sanding it back on the flat surface. The whole lot was then lacquered.

If I find something I like long term then I'll have them done professionally. I'm still toying with the idea of Oz wheels.

[RRHANS]

Looks very good!!!!

Personaly I would not have gone through all the trouble highlighting the lettering.