Paint my wheels or . . . ?

[ttocs]

2004 Boxster, 2.7, Tiptronic, 36k miles, 17" wheels.

First off, I love these wheels on this model! It's one of the options I was looking for while shopping for a Boxster. I'd love the wheels on my triple black car even more if they were black also, gloss black. My wheels are in perfect condition, perfect!

 

I've searched here, PCA forums, other forums, and I can't seem to find info on the longevity of custom painting wheels. OEM wheels have a very durable finish on them.

 

Is it possible to re-color them with long lasting success? If so, what process is best to employ to paint wheels - unmounted, bare, no tire or valve stem?

 

Or . . . . should I just wrap them, knowing that re-wrapping is needed periodically, so that I retain the original finish if I sell the car in the future?

 

 

[Loren]

Wheel Enhancement can custom color them for you. Give them a call...  (310) 836-8908

Plus they will take your old wheels as trade-ins.

 

http://www.wheelenhancement.com/index.php?t=WheelDetail&id=47

[ttocs]

Thanks Loren!! Very good source for Porsche wheels! I'll give them a call.

[ttocs]

. . . . I'd still like to hear about the pros and cons of painting wheels.

 

Have some of you painted your wheels? Successfully?

 

If a company, such as the one Loren recommends above, refinishes a wheel, I would assume they strip and paint from scratch. Would this sort of process include baking the new finish (assuming also that Porsche bakes the finish on the wheels)? In other words, are aftermarket finishes the same durability as Porsche factory finishes? The lower valance of the rear bumper on my ST was replaced and the body shop baked the new paint.

[ttocs]

I didn't think I'd have time to call Wheel Enhancement until later, but I had a few minutes so I called.

 

My confidence is very high with this company after speaking with Dave at Wheel Enhancement. My ignorance from my last post has been remedied after a short conversation. They strip the original finish off, and the new finish is baked on. Similar to how Porsche does it.

 

The center caps are not so successfully refinished, so the recommendation is to get new black centers from Porsche to go along with black painted wheels.

 

For me, I'm thinking that I should keep my current wheels the way they are. When I'm ready for the black wheels - order during winter for next spring - I'll get on the list for when Wheel Enhancement gets a set of used wheels in stock to have those finished and sent to me. "I like it when a plan comes together".

[911Dreaming]

I just had the wheels on my 2013 Carrera S refinished by a well known company, through my local Porsche dealer.

They media blasted the wheels and then did the powder-coat / bake process. They came back with so much orange peel that the dealer didn't charge me - how bad does something have to be when a car dealer wouldn't take your money???

They look fine from 6' away, but any closer its a 2/10 quality job.

I didn't speak with anyone from the wheel company before I had it done, and since the dealer was so matter-of-fact about it I didn't worry about it. I had researched them a little and they have been around for a long time and typically have great reviews, but not with mine.

I will be getting them redone next month and this time I will talk with the company and make sure they are done right and my expectations are met. At least the dealer was cool about it, and gave me a loaner for the 2 weeks it took (and will give me another).

Just make sure that your expectations are known before you have it done.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ttocs]

I hear what you're saying' 911Dreaming. Sorry you had difficulty.

 

I also called a local wheel repair place that has been around for a long time. They mostly do powder coating and claim that they get a smooth finish. But frankly, after talking to them I don't come away with a warm feeling like I did speaking with Wheel Enhancement, and hear me now and believe me later - I would very much like to avoid shipping costs. As far as each of their preferred methods are concerned, they are polar opposites. The local place does mostly or almost all powder coating, whereas Wheel Enhancement does mostly paint and will do powder coat but they tell you that it's not glass smooth. I prefer paint.

 

Something I find comforting about Wheel Enhancement is that they seem to primarily work on Porsche as far as auto manufacturers are concerned. 

Edited July 20, 2016 by ttocs
previous edit during composition gone bad

[SteelStroke]

Thanks Loren.  Will be contacting Wheel Enhancement myself...love my optional Carrera 18" wheels on my 03 Boxster S. :-)

Edited July 21, 2016 by SteelStroke