The Motor Forum

Pete · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:12 pm Post subject: Wheels

Im in a mini dilemma,

My Impreza came on some white Enkei wheels that are a *little* bit too big in the offset, so Ive gone and got a set of the original wheels for the car for cheap.

reason they were cheap is that they're scratched to buggery, So i've decided in my infinite wisdom to try and repaint them myself.

Current status;

Now, I would just go gold, BUT theres no paint code for STi gold, and nowhere I can find will match it for me. Its an odd descrete colour so I dont think buying a can of "gold" will match well.

Other options are going white, like the Enkies were, or another option was gunmetal.

Photoshoppery;

Also, anyone refurbed wheels themselves? As i havent a clue waht Im doing
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No matter how many options you put on a cinq it could never amount to frippery Gayness. - Slow Eddie

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:13 pm Post subject:

Gunmetal - I don't think gold will work on a white car, and white wheels is a bit too "80s Golf Cabrio"

DarthBalls · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:16 pm Post subject:

Gunmetal looks best if you can do it, otherwise 'go for gold'.

Have you looked into to having them powder coated?
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"him" · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:25 pm Post subject:

Gunmetal
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cbeaks1 · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:46 pm Post subject:

Gunmetal or black. Gold only works with Blue for me. Or maybe Gold and Black JPS style.

"him" · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject: Re: Wheels

Blarno · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:03 pm Post subject:

Gunmetal. The only choice. Under no circumstances should a white car have gold wheels on, especially a Subaru. They managed to soak the car market with gold wheels, and whilst they looked cool for 2 minutes back in 1995, they look pants now.

My Legacy:

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Roadrunner · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject:

Gunmetal, or perhaps gold if you do happen to find some original paint.
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Grampa · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:09 pm Post subject:

Gunmetal but a a little lighter than in your Photoshop image.
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Blarno · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: Wheels

Boxer6 · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject:

Pkh72 · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:48 pm Post subject:

Big TC · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:28 pm Post subject:

Another vote for gunmetal, seeing as the car is white.
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BeN · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:08 pm Post subject:

I agree that gold doesn't fit well with white. They look brilliant with the dark blue Subaru rally livery though.

The white one actually looks good in the first picture, but I'm not entirely sure about yours.

So that leaves gunmetal then.
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Pete · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:23 am Post subject: Re: Wheels

Mark · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 10:39 am Post subject: Re: Wheels

TimR · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:19 am Post subject:

What about good old fashioned silver?

I was once tempted by a '99 Impreza on the 5 spokers like you have except they were silver, unlike almost every other one which was on gold.

If you go for gunmetal make it a lighter one than your photoshop.

Can't think of anything worse than too dark wheels on a white car

Pete · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:28 am Post subject:

Well, silver is what the basic WRX has, and I dont want my special car to look like one of those lowly 270bhp cars.....

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No matter how many options you put on a cinq it could never amount to frippery Gayness. - Slow Eddie

TimR · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:35 am Post subject:

Ah but imagine the fun you could have fully deploying your extra 30BHP to the shock and awe of the 'regular' Imprezaists.

Blarno · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:24 pm Post subject:

DIY wheel refurbing:

First port of call is to get the tyres and valves taken off. Giving a local tyre fitter 2 notes should cover this.

Next, rub them down with fine sandpaper to flat off the old paint. If you have any deep scratches or gouges, use bodyfiller to fill these in. With bodyfiller, start off with rough grit paper and gradually increase the fine-ness until you get a smooth finish.

Plenty of high-build primer and a rub down with 1500 grit sandpaper to smooth off before the paint.

I painted mine with rattlecans. If you've got the preperation right, the paint will go on fine and dry to a good finish. Couple of coats of lacquer if required and you're away.

Be prepared to be without your wheels for a week and be prepared to make mistakes.
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Arms held out, in the Jesus Christ Pose.

"him" · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:34 pm Post subject:

Apex clipper · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 10:56 pm Post subject:

As everything is sooo cheap in the island of the long cloud...A specialist wheel fixer-up guy ..perhaps?? Saves sweat and getting your dannies dirty.

Now onto colours.....

Silver or light grey..white looks...as does gold...pish! On that colour of scooby.

Iain's right, the gold was cutting edge once you spied them ..way back in 94/95...they don't look any better thrown on STI's or type UK's even in sonic blue!!
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