Wheels -- powder coat primer + painted color + powder coat clear finish

[jonosso]

I am planning to have my wheels refinished. The restoration shop suggested that in order to get the exact OEM silver color, that it would be best to do the following:


Strip the wheels
Apply a powder coat primer
Paint the OEM silver color
Apply a powder coat clear finish


Does this sound like a reasonable approach? If so, does anyone have the exact paint code to match the OEM silver color? Maybe even a specific brand of paint and color number?

Also, what sheen should the powder coat clear finish be: satin? semi-gloss? .... etc

I have searched all of the discussions regarding the wheel colors, but not one seems to list a paint/color code. I just want to be certain that the process and color are both correct.

Thanks.

[Nicholas R]

I am planning to have my wheels refinished. The restoration shop suggested that in order to get the exact OEM silver color, that it would be best to do the following:


Strip the wheels
Apply a powder coat primer
Paint the OEM silver color
Apply a powder coat clear finish


Does this sound like a reasonable approach? If so, does anyone have the exact paint code to match the OEM silver color? Maybe even a specific brand of paint and color number?

Also, what sheen should the powder coat clear finish be: satin? semi-gloss? .... etc

I have searched all of the discussions regarding the wheel colors, but not one seems to list a paint/color code. I just want to be certain that the process and color are both correct.

Thanks.

Just so I read that right, your plan is to put normal paint between a powder coat primer, and a powder coat clear coat? Seems like a very odd way to paint to me. I had my original rims refinished and just had them powder coat them grey. If you want the factory look, they were not clear coated. They weren't powder coated either, they were just painted. Still many people opt for grey powder coat. As far an exact code, someone else will have to chime in. I dont know if anyone has an exact code. Usually they person finishing has a couple grey samples to look at and the best is just selected from the options.

Here's a few threads where this was recently discussed as well. Might find some info in them:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?5412-Rim-Powder-Coating
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?6250-Wheels/page2&highlight=wheels
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?4734-Gray-Wheels&highlight=wheels

Good luck and welcome to the forum! :thumbup:

[jonosso]

Hi Nick,

Thank you for your reply. I had seen all three of the threads that you provided.

You are correct in what you understood from my post.

Sooooo....... the original wheels were just painted? No powder coat at all?

[painterdave72]

the original finish on the wheels is powdercoat.. they were just powdercoated a silver color.. i redid mine in a silver to match and then clear powdered over that.. you can not use normal paint in between powder.. it will burn when you cure the clear powder..

[eagle-co94]

Well if the original wheels are powdercoated then powdercoating has come a long way in 30 years (or doesn't last 25+ years well). I've seen and have several sets of wheels that look more like paint than the powdercoating I'm familiar with.

[Nicholas R]

the original finish on the wheels is powdercoat.. they were just powdercoated a silver color.. i redid mine in a silver to match and then clear powdered over that.. you can not use normal paint in between powder.. it will burn when you cure the clear powder..

Are you sure? I've never heard that. I've always heard that the original coating was just paint, not powder coating. I can certainly say that the way my original gray rooms were chipping they appeared to be painted not powder coated.

[jonosso]

I have a full set of NOS gray wheels that I bought which I have never mounted any tires on them.

I also have a full set of wheels that have have new NCT60 tires mounted on them. When I bought the tires, the seller said that he had a set of NOS gray wheels. He had them powder-coated for me before mounting the tires and shipping them to me. I think that the wheels are too bright of a silver. I may be wrong.

In addition to these two full sets, I have the original wheels on my DeLorean with the fronts having the original NCT60 tires mounted on them. It is this set that I am considering having refinished and mounting new Pirelli tires on them for regular use.

I have attached a photo of the 4 gray wheels and one of the silver powder-coated wheels that has the NCT60 tire mounted. I welcome any opinions on whether the silver wheel is too bright or not.

Thanks.

17810

[painterdave72]

that the original finish was powdercoat.. yes it is completely different powders that are available nowadays as compared to thirty years ago.. powder was just first starting to be used in the late seventys early eighties i believe.

[jonosso]

Soooooo........ no one has yet mentioned a specific brand and/or color code for the paint. :sad30:

[Nicholas R]

Honestly I dont think there is one. Its pretty subjective. Kind of like the fascia color. I think most people just pick out their favorite silver/greyish color and use it. If you're really looking for something official, your best bet may be to call your nearest DMC branch and ask what they repaint their rims with. Maybe you'll get lucky. Otherwise the best I can say is paint them light grey, lol :wink:

[LEVY]

Soooooo........ no one has yet mentioned a specific brand and/or color code for the paint. :sad30:

Bet Josh have that info but it might be a trade secret.

LEVY

[centauri]

I sent mine for refinishing at DMC Garden Grove, who use a local powder shop, OEM looking color with metallic finish. You could call Danny there and see if they'll tell you what powder they used.

Currently doing my Rover SD1 wheels in "poly gold" from Prismatic - can't wait to see how they look!

17827

[jonosso]

Your wheel looks sharp.

[painterdave72]

I powdercoated mine with eastwoods argent silver basecoat. then clear powdered over that.. they are a little more glossy then the other pics but look great. .i would take a pic but cant find my digital camera at the moment..

[jonosso]

Thanks Dave

[painterdave72]

Of my rim with the eastwood argent silver base powder followed by the clear powder.

[jonosso]

Dave, the color looks quite nice. I will definitely keep that brand and color in mind. Thanks.

[jonosso]

I just found the following in Service Bulletin Number ST-02-2/82 (http://www.dmcnews.com/bulletins/ST-02-2.82.html)


Road Wheels

Since the road wheels have a color coating that is impreg-
nated into the surface as part of the heat treatment used
to temper the alloy, with an epoxy clear coat applied over
that, the adhesion of another color coat will be difficult
to achieve even with careful preparation. Again, it is
suggested that you consult with your local paint distributor
before proceeding.

[JRNY13]

This is a great promotional video using the D:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdfBJxFZXpM
The wheels look great. Does anyone know what type they are? Chrome, machined finished?

[pezzonovante88]

This is a great promotional video using the D:
The wheels look great. Does anyone know what type they are? Chrome, machined finished?

They look machine-polished.

[JRNY13]

Can someone with DMCH machined finished wheels testify that this is how they look?

[jonosso]

Thanks for sharing that.




This is a great promotional video using the D:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdfBJxFZXpM
The wheels look great. Does anyone know what type they are? Chrome, machined finished?

[Henrik]

I was looking for a place to have my wheels chromed but the wheel shop I ended up working with ("Wheels by Adam" in Dallas, TX) talked me out of it. They thought it would be too expensive and probably wouldn't hold up in the long run. Instead, they did this:
a) powder coated the spokes in a light, metallic grey/silver (and yes, I was never aware of any specific color specification; I just chose a hue that looked good)
b) put the wheel in a lather and turned the face of the spokes in a lathe; they removed very, very little aluminum; just the "skin" as they put it, and
c) polished the outer rim and center hub. Finally they
d) clear coated the entire wheel

I was very pleased with the result. This was back in 2006 and it has held up just fine ever since.

1833918340

[Dangermouse]

Not mine, but:

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=18341&d=1366374632




Currently doing my Rover SD1 wheels in "poly gold" from Prismatic - can't wait to see how they look!



Wait, you have an SD1 ??

[jonosso]

Henrik, your wheels look AWESOME

[Henrik]

Henrik, your wheels look AWESOME

Thanks, jonosso. Here are two more pictures from a year ago to show you how the wheels make the car "pop" without being overwhelming in any way. (The interior has been completely replaced since these pic were taken, BTW)
1834518346

[Domi]

Those machined wheels looks awesome!

[Henrik]

Those machined wheels looks awesome!

Thanks, I do recall that I spent $600 to have all four wheels done. Good bang for the buck I think.

[mluder]

This is a great promotional video using the D:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdfBJxFZXpM
The wheels look great. Does anyone know what type they are? Chrome, machined finished?

FYI - That's Chris4099's car. He's on the forum if you want to ask. I don't recall them being machined but I didn't look that close last time I saw his car.

Cheers
StTeven

[JRNY13]

FYI - That's Chris4099's car. He's on the forum if you want to ask. I don't recall them being machined but I didn't look that close last time I saw his car.

Cheers
StTeven

Good to know. They look beautiful.

[Chris4099]

Since I got a few PMs about the wheels, I figured I would just reply directly to the thread. The wheels were machined and then had a marine grade clear powder coat applied. I had Toby at DMC-NW work with a local shop do it on a spare set of his wheels. That way it was a straight swap at his shop with no shipping or cores. I believe most of the other franchises can do it too. A few things to note, there are lots of little spots. That's because the metal is porous from the casting so there's nothing that can be done there. The outside edges are also a little sharp! I still love the looks and am very glad I did it!