I have a 2003 R53 and it's BRG with Black bonnet stripes. Stock alloys are silver-painted, and I'm intending to paint them in BRG to match the car. I *could* have painted stripes added in another color and paint the rims to match the stripes. (Color suggestions welcome - black is not much contrast, and they're difficult to see)

Anyone have thoughts on that? My brother owns a body shop, so I can do painting relatively cheap.

One other concern - I need tires. My intention was to do this:

1 - Jack the car up myself
2 - put it on blocks
3 - remove wheels
4 - Have the old tires removed
5 - take the rims to get painted
6 - get the new tires put on
7 - put wheels back on myself
8 - touch up any paint chips resulting
9 - drive fast and show off

Anyone done this? It's in having a ding repaired right now and my brother said it was nearly impossible to jack the thing up. Not sure where I can set it on blocks? Thoughts?

 

I painted my webspokes black to match the top/ mirrors. I have a couple paint chips I need to fill, but they are great other than that.

 

Specify a 2 component epoxy primer and 2 component urethane topcoat or powder coated for best durability against chipping and adhesion failure. Looks like your color scheme BRG is gonna be awesome.

 

Painted wheels, if done properly, would look great! I am considering doing the same with my X-lites.
One possible solution to the "car on blocks" thing is to ask if any of your local club members have a spare set of take-offs laying around that they might let you bolt on for a couple of days.

Good luck with the decision, and please, show us the pics!!!

 

i painted my stocks too..

 

Have any PW owners ever painted their S-Lites pepper white? I've always thought that would be a sharp look.

 

I've used the Dupont Graphite Wheel Paint on my stock WRX wheels and my GTO wheels with excellent results.



I never removed the tires, just used index cards slipped in between the tire and the rim to form a protective overspray ring. I'd be concerned that whomever is mounting your new tires will mess up an otherwise good paintjob... Thus, for best results clean and sand your wheels, have new tires mounted and balanced, THEN get them painted.

 

wow- i never realized those were stock wheels, wg! what color do you call that?

 

Yep

The thing I had the most trouble with is the people putting the tires on where ham fisted and damaged the paint some - forcing me to painfully tape the rims to repair their damage! But otherwise I like it - no pic though, I can get some next week ...