Said goodbye to the Robocop silver, hello to Batman black.

The clear coat was flaking and the wheels were looking pretty bad:


Tried to remove the clear coat with aircraft remover


Turns out that the wheels are actually painted silver metallic, over a smoothing primer coat, over the bare metal. I tried to get to the bare metal, and after two hours I only got this far on one wheel.


At this point, I admitted defeat. Called up one of the old timers in the area, and asked about powder coating. I wanted black or gunmetal, but then... he showed me a black with metal flake. This is either a love it or hate it decision for most people, but I decided to go for the flake (I saw potential in this for future projects)

Here's the outcome:





The metal flake is really subtle, most of the time the wheels just look black, but when the light hits it just right, it looks celestial. (gotta do it on an "ECLIPSE", right) I may set up some of my extra LEDS from the taillight project to hit the inside of wheels at night (don't be hatin):


I also bought sportlines again, and will be post pics once completed.

Looks like a bowling ball.

I'm just kidding, that looks nice! Different, but nice.

Different is good enough for me! LOL bowling ball.

As much as I like flake, im not feeling it on the wheels.

Looks better then before though.

oooo, this makes me really want to get my wheels back. I'm having them powdercoated black by a buddy for the cost of materials but I'm not sure how they're gonna look. I've rarely seen all black wheels that weren't more than just some spray paint so I'm a bit apprehensive. Yours came out looking good though. I personally don't like the look of the actual wheel, but I like how the black looks

Edit: on second thought, that pic with the three wheels in it makes them look pretty damn good

that came out pretty good . i like it .

well the wheels are an old 90s enkei design. I've always like the way they look on eclipses (JasonESIt's car b4 he sold it and then wrecked, Remy's car a long time ago too). I'm attached to them and don't want to give them up. I just want something different, in California all car styles are on the monotonous repeat. Get a G35 or scion, put black wheels on with a polished lip on, and turn up the Justin Timberlake.


I was not sure about the metal flake either, but it was hard to imagine on the wheel design I have. When I saw the black/metal flake on the example he gave me, it looked awesome. Now, if you would have told me that you just painted your wheels with black with a flake, I probably would have automatically felt sorry for your bad taste.

But when I saw it in person, I decided it would look better that way. The main reason being, black wheels on a black car kinda washes out the lines. I wanted the wheels to stand out just slightly and subtly.

Anyways, most of the time, the wheels just look black

Originally posted by ez
The main reason being, black wheels on a black car kinda washes out the lines.

This is the only thing I'm concerned about when mine are done. Maybe I can get some white wall low pro's LOL :D

Originally posted by cs82685

Originally posted by ez The main reason being, black wheels on a black car kinda washes out the lines.

This is the only thing I'm concerned about when mine are done. Maybe I can get some white wall low pro's LOL :D

lol, white walls. Kidding whatver floats your boat:)

Nice, color But it'll look better on the Eclipse instead. it'll look sik, but if you add more light blue flake in it, this would a flipp flop fx. When wet in the sun change from blue to black.

Question, is powdercoat like rustoleum, Rust proffing. My stockers need redone, curb rash and center chipping starting to rust due to the center cap. I removed all of my center caps it look better now.

Originally posted by dalesmitsu
it'll look sik, but if you add more light blue flake in it, this would a flipp flop fx. When wet in the sun change from blue to black.

Umm...wtf?


Interesting choice on getting the flake. I guess it is cool to be different. Let's see some pictures of them on the car. :)

Oh yeah, I am suprised Mike hates them. I thought flake was his favorite.

Originally posted by kain_99gs

Originally posted by dalesmitsu it'll look sik, but if you add more light blue flake in it, this would a flipp flop fx. When wet in the sun change from blue to black.

Umm...wtf? Interesting choice on getting the flake. I guess it is cool to be different. Let's see some pictures of them on the car. :) Oh yeah, I am suprised Mike hates them. I thought flake was his favorite.

It is, but on wheels, I just dont know.

Looks good. Where did you get it powder coated at?

The place is called Five Star Coatings, in Redlands (right off of Alabama)

I'm going to have him coat some GSX calipers in the same black, or maybe red. That's the next question, do red calipers look irritatingly similar to everything else out there... well maybe not so much if they are behind black wheels...

I know what you are saying eclipse982nrRST, but I feel the opposite way. I think most everything should NOT have flake on it because it looks gaudy. But on wheels if it's subtle, it looks like no other. I've had a couple of "WTF was I thinking" moments after I ordered the flake. But now whenever I see the wheels I don't regret it at all.

anyways, I'll keep them like this until everyone else starts doing it, then it's time to move on the next thing

pics on the car

or die

Originally posted by turbo8u
pics on the car or die

x2

They could look sick or gay, I'm betting sick soo lets see if you made a liar out of me. :)
How much did you end up payin, if you dont mind.


Nick
97RS

No don't they don't look gay. all together it looks mean now, instead of the wheels making things look dated.

haven't put them on the car yet - > but yes I will post pics AS SOON as I get them mounted. the reason for the delay is - I bought another 2g, and I'm trying to get it up and running and all cleaned up within a month. priorities.

when I get the pics, I will post in a new thread, so you don't have to keep checking this one

Originally posted by ez
The place is called Five Star Coatings, in Redlands (right off of Alabama) I'm going to have him coat some GSX calipers in the same black, or maybe red. That's the next question, do red calipers look irritatingly similar to everything else out there...

Mine have been done in red, and now silver. If you're doing black, you might as well not even paint or powdercoat them all. It's hardly noticeable.

I'd leave them alone, or paint them whatever color the flake is in the wheels (looks blue).

nice. I always liked those wheels. But I'm old skool... ;)

how was the price & turnaround time?

juan

Originally posted by dalesmitsu
Question, is powdercoat like rustoleum, Rust proffing. My stockers need redone, curb rash and center chipping starting to rust due to the center cap. I removed all of my center caps it look better now.

unless you got the bare bones no nothing "Tires are an option" RS your wheels are alloy and incapable of rusting, it's the retaining clip inside the center cap that rusts. powdercoat is completely different from rustoleum, it's powder "glaze" that is adhered electrostatically, and then baked into place, very durable finish.

EZ, I love it. Those rims look so much better as a dark color.

Very nice...Powdercoatting is the way to go for sure. now you need a matching valve cover.

Originally posted by bigrob3232
Very nice...Powdercoatting is the way to go for sure. now you need a matching valve cover.

I was just going to say that mang!

EZ, I love em as well. Post up some pictures on the car ASAP!

It makes me happy to see that people still take pride in their 2gnt. I should be beaten with a rubber hose for not taking the best of care of my Talon. Stupid GSX...

Enkei arashi, correct?

I've never been a fan of those wheels but YOUR wheels on our cars.....

Man, that's awesome. Love em'.

Originally posted by 2GeclipseRS
Enkei arashi, correct? I've never been a fan of those wheels but YOUR wheels on our cars..... Man, that's awesome. Love em'.

Shogun

Originally posted by 95_ESi_Person

Originally posted by 2GeclipseRS Enkei arashi, correct? I've never been a fan of those wheels but YOUR wheels on our cars..... Man, that's awesome. Love em'.

Shogun

Oh yeah....the arashi's have about eleventybillion more spokes.

Enkei makes some interesting wheels.

PICS ON THE CAR!!!!!

they loo really good