Ive done ALOT of research

And I just need some confirmation.

Just picked up a set of g35 coupe 18x8 wheels that I will soon receive on Thursday. The wheels have just very mild curb rash on them. Now I was looking to repair them myself but the color code is VERY hard to find. I don't even think it exists in this country. Ive done a lot of research on them and I remember seeing that the particular coating is toxic and is not allowed in the US. Ive heard that this titanium wet look finish is actually sprayed in non US and non Euro countries then shipped for assembly.

Ok so heres the deal. I know a lot of max owners like to pick up these wheels and toss em on. So my question is: did you repair any damages when you bought the OE wheels from G owners. And are there ANY color combos I could mix up and try to match it up slightly. I pretty much know Ill never be able to be exact but maybe pretty close. So anyways whats your input.

Some links Ive acquired from research on how to's:

http://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/949926.phtml
http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/w...uff-repair.htm

and heres some pics of the wheels I picked up:

 

 

So in conclusion am I forced to get these professionally done and does the paint hold up to tire machines??

I think Ive done enough research to make my eyes bleed.

 

hmmm...that looks familiar. Like the time I dropped a rim and scratched up the face of the spokes just like that.

I've done ALOT of searching too and nobody on the G35 forums has found a good paint match to them. After trying several colors, I just sad f-ck it and repainted all four in a lighter silver wheel paint after sanding down the rash. I actually like them in the lighter color, honestly. See sig...

 

yea i looked around in there too..no help...i also contacted my connections at nissan and they said the people they send their wheels out to have said there is NO CODE...they just mix and blend and Try to match it.

I also noticed your wheels...I figured they were repainted. They look good...but that "wet" finish is just so nice...i would love to keep it...but if i cant I may do the same.

 

Try to get yourhands on some WURTH wheel paint - it's the german paint that is used on Porsche and BMW factory wheels. Kind of pricey, and it's more silver like mine, but it has that "wet" look to it if that's what you want.

 

yea wurth was mentioned alot in the how to's...it just looks a little bright. Id like to keep that dark wet finish if possible since I'm lustre gray.

Another option is maybe I could get the wheel scanned by my buddies body shop and have them mix up something for me. Or maybe get them professionally fixed for 300 out the door for all 4 in philly.

uhh decisions decisions...

 

ooo and thanks for the reply Irish...knowing your activity on this forum, if anyone's seen an easy answer to this here, it would be you. I might have to post up in g35 driver as well.

 

bump it up...anyone else have some input??

 

I did a bunch of searching for you, but no dice on the color.

Have you tried calling the dealerships? Perhaps they can give you the color. Or as a last resort, try calling the rim repair guys. Maybe if you tell them it's a tiny fix they won't see it as a loss of business.

Otherwise, you are looking at $130 a wheel to fix those (at a decent shop).

 

thanks for the help...yea i contacted the dealer and the biz that they send them too...no code. just looking for a near match. i got quoted for 3 bills out the door for all 4 in philly at rimfix (IIRC??).

 

Before I destroyed my passenger side G35 rims in an accident, I had them refinished at a local rim restoration shop. They told me that it would be nearly impossible to match the color and that the special paint used was very expensive. I ended up having them redo the rims in what they called brilliant silver. It was lighter than the original color, but did look good.
Here are a couple of pics.......

 

You won't get the paint to match using a single stage. You need to first paint the wheels black than go over it with a metallic translucent topcoat. Then I guess clear. I've read it's possible. Not easy, but possible. Since you are limited to places near you, that's where I'd start inquiring. Local dealer would be my first call. Ask where they get theirs done

 

Dealer will tell you "we will sell you a new one for $839.00"

 

just talked to my paint guy and I'm gonna bring him a wheel on Friday. Maybe we can mix something up. wish me luck! Ill post up about the results.

 

looks damn good man. I might go that route if I cant duplicate the original finish. thanks for the info!

 

well heres the finished product.

I think its pretty close to your color Nismax03

300 out the door. Wheels America - Philly (Ask for Chris)

 

You could just send in all four of your rims and have them done to whatever color you would like them done in...

MajesticMan

 

ummmm, thanks for reading. GREAT JOB! I think thats what I DID

 

The color on the rims look great. I think they look even better than the color that I used.

 

They look even darker now...the pics really make the rim look lighter in color. Now that I have brand spankin 235/40 ziex's mounted on them they look almost exactly like the original finish...the color was called hyper silver. Wheels America did a GREAT job and they hooked me up with some unbeatable prices. **** he only charged me 50 bucks for the computer balance and mounting with stick on weights AND a full chromie ...i was surprised to see that...i expected a normal valve stem.

thumbs up to Chris @ Wheels America In Philly!

Im gonna mount them up this week when the snow is all melted...

Pics coming soon...

 

Here's some pics of my repainted G's....done by me with some high-grit sandpaper, Duplicolor silver wheel paint (which has silver flecks for a bit of OEM-like sparkle) and DC wheel clearcoat (3-4 coats). Total cost: about 10 bucks.

Also roadforce balanced FTW!

 

Polished Titanium (WV2) paint would look good on those. It would give them the effect of the wheels I have (2003 Titanium edition wheels) and would almost match the stock G35C color. Just another option to those that want to repaint their wheels....

 

someone help me find some centercaps!! IIRC their 2000 gxe caps.

anyone have some or know where i can buy them? dealer wants 25 per

 

the centercaps off your SE wheels should fit also...

 

sweet...ill try them out this week when i take them off...glad to hear that news...thanks irish

 

those rims look tight...wonder how they would look in black?

 

somebody has them in dark gunmetal, close to black. I don't think they look very good that dark, personally.