I bought some Team Dynamics motorsports wheels (they are on their way) and they are currently flat black. I was thinking of using these just as a track wheel and they are currently flat black which is great for the track.

However I was thinking of painting them to use as a street wheel as well. Car is dark silver.

Any suggestions on what color? Leave them flat black? Silber Spray (OEM silver wheel color)? Or last color is Duplicolor Graphite (its close to anthracite). My only issue with flat black or even black on the street is IMO it seems very boy racer / ricey... OR.. does anybody have a recommendation on a quality wheel paint that is close to the OEM anthracite?

Current wheel color: (borrowed from original owner)

 

I think it'll look awesome with the flat black finish. I am, however, a huge fan of black and a chrome hater. Either way, it's still going to look sick. have fun.

 

Here is a picture of the Duplicolor Graphite color. That may look pretty nice.

 

duplicolor graphite with VHT Wheel clear....the tone is diff than DS for sure, but looks ok. I might try VHT's graphite wheel paint if I did it again. Just remember....about 5 coats of clear for ever coat of paint - the graphite has textured metallic in it and you can smooth it out with clearcoat.

good camera:


no flash:



flash:

 

bad cellphone camera:

 

Thanks for the photos PGT. The duplicolor graphite is a little darker than I thought. How close is it to anthracite? Does any company make a quality anthracite wheel paint?

 

PGT, when you used the duplicolor paint how did you keep from getting what seemed to be a light powder on the surface of the paint. I have used it before and the results turned out good but I had to sand it before the final clear coat because it seemed like a light layer of powder was stuck on the surface of the paint. Possibly I held the can to far away from the surface.

 

ehh....I didn't. that's what I was saying about the clearcoat. I did maybe 10-12 coats and it was still a bit 'rough' - if I did it over, like you, I would have sanded. I was in a bit of a hurry, though unless washing the wheels, you'd never notice the texture....all that clear = glossy

 

This is the color I am after which looks lighter than the Duplicolor graphite

 

I primed my wheels before shooting paint and a little argument between the bottom of my glovebox and the wheel in the footwell got settled with the glovebox winning. I don't think there's anything special about wheel paint....pick whatever color works best for you from normal paint and fire away.

 

I was under the impression that they had some fillers that made them more durable. Metal or glass specs?...

 

Oh... also... If I decided to go with Duplicolor graphite do you think the flat black beneath would make it look darker?

 

not from my informal test....the plastic edge easily took it down to the self-etching primer I sprayed.

no....not if you actually coat the wheels with a proper amount of paint.

 

Sorry PGT, but I have to disagree....the primer color can have a profound effect on the overall outcome. Try spraying CR over white and black primers and you'll see what I mean. To lighten a color, go with a lighter primer. If the the graphite shown is too dark for the OP, then try a lighter (light gray, or white) primer. It will change the final color.

 

we aren't talking red here - red needs a grey primer to look right (white primer will turn it pink). we are talking a dark grey....a solid color with metal fleck in it.