7 replies to this topic

[b_sdaddy]

Dear All,

 

I'm toying with getting my alloy wheels sprayed. They're MAIFRINI MILLE MIGLIA 10". Not exactly rare, but 'cool' enough to warrant a good job.

 

Now I've done this dozens of times over the years, (not on the same car!), and from a distance, you get what you pay for and for the savings, rattle cans offer a budget choice.

 

With my mini though, I'm prepared to blow the budget and get my 10" 'as new'.

 

I don't think that they'd benefit from trying to rejuvenate the actual alloy, they're just too old.

 

What they would benefit from is a modern paint job! I see new cars with a gunmetal finish that is a level above just normal metallic wheel paint. They seem to have a second finish applied: a secondary black/ dark grey that is blow in selected areas to give a 3D effect.

 

Hopefully someone will understand what I'm going on about. I don't know if this factory finish is something that a body shop could replicate.? I just see Audis and BMWs with these gorgeous wheels and would like to have this done on my 10".

 

If anyone knows anything about modern alloy wheel painting, then I'd love to know what this effect is called. If I go straight to a bodyshop, I just want to know what it's called.

 

 

I could pop to my local Audi dealer, and look around the showroom and see what model has these - If I then went to a good sprayshop, would me quoting the model/ wheel design help.? Would his library/computer be able to pull up the right spec.?

 

 

Cheers, as always

 

 

 

 

 

[Steve220]

shadow chrome.

[cal844]

Spray them in Saab Silver, its a very close match to chrome

[69k1100]

Shadow chrome is a black basecoat with chrome over the top. And good powdercoaters should be able to apply it.

[1984mini25]

If you on about the factory wheels on all new bmws and audis, the they are just sprayed a standard gunmetal, the face diamond cut and then lacquered. Its' not a finish you can replicate at home though (well not unless you have a lathe) and is quite pricey. You can however also get 'chrome' powder coat with had a high aluminium content, but it's just looks like shinny alloy rather than true chrome.

[Steve220]

Shadow chrome. It can be powder coated or sprayed. BMW paint their allows like this. I personally think its a great colour. Might be tempted to have my alloys done in it!

 

Edited by Steve220, 01 March 2015 - 01:48 PM.

[b_sdaddy]

Cheers all for the replies.

 

They're gonna look great in 'Shadow Chrome'!

[Rog46]

I don't think that they'd benefit from trying to rejuvenate the actual alloy, they're just too old.

I've seen (on Wheeler Dealers) where they get old alloys polished and they come up like new! I don't think their age is a problem if you're prepared to spend the money getting them professionally refurbished.