For those of you that remember, along with the headers, exhaust, and suspension parts - I ordered some American Racing TT2s (and some BFG KDs). I wanted them like the Tom Henry or Blackbird from GMMG (with metallic gray spokes)but could not order them, could not find a body shop willing to paint them, and the wheel shops wanted $150 per wheel, so I decided to have some fun and do it myself.
I created a paint booth (that's quite a story in itself), experimented with different paints, and went to work!
Well this past weekend I finished painting the wheels. Three coats of gunmetal gray metallic and two coats of high durability wheel clearcoat. They came out nice and if they look half as good on the car as they do sitting there I'll be happy!
Next step - let them dry for a few days, mount & balance the KDs, mount them on the car - more pics as I progress!
[ 28. March 2003, 04:31 AM: Message edited by: DaddySS ]
Posted by 35TH ED/ed (Member # 1709) on :
Sorry forbiden to access . Thought I would let you know you must have webshots I get that sometimes.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
Try it again, just fixed it.
Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on :
...I can't see the pics either Rich, ...no access. (just thought to let you know) Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by RagSS: ...I can't see the pics either Rich, ...no access. (just thought to let you know)
OK now I really fixed it! Posted by 35TH ED/ed (Member # 1709) on :
I like them Look sharp . Now when are you going to paint the floor .
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by 35TH ED/ed: I like them Look sharp . Now when are you going to paint the floor .
OMG...I was hoping you all wouldn't notice that too much! New storage shed going up this spring, all the junk out of the garage, paint floor. I'll have pics of that too when I'm done.
Thanks, glad you like the wheels.
Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on :
They look great! will definitely look awsome on the car... Are they 18"?
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by RagSS: They look great! will definitely look awsome on the car... Are they 18"?
Thanks! Not bad for a home made paint job huh?
They are 17 x 9.5 for the fronts and 17 x 11 for the rears. The rears will get 315 35s, so I'll need to manage height and clearnce carefully.
Posted by JohnS (Member # 1073) on :
Can't wait to see them on the SS.
Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :
Looking forward to seeing them ...and hearing how the products you used worked and last.
I went the wheel shop route to paint my ZR-1's pewter and though I didn't pay as much as you were quoted, I'm also not pleased with the quality or durability of the job they did.
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
A job well done! They look awesome! Posted by CK-1 99SS (Member # 93) on :
Lookin' good... Can't wait to see them on the car.. Posted by Mark IXZD 150 (Member # 235) on :
Wow! They look great. Good job!
Want to paint mine? Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
Thanks gang. I'm very pleased with how they turned out. I used a special metal etcher specifically for painting on highly polished surfaces so I am hoping the paint holds up with out chipping.
Posted by Mark IXZD 150 (Member # 235) on :
quote:Originally posted by DaddySS: Thanks gang. I'm very pleased with how they turned out. I used a special metal etcher specifically for painting on highly polished surfaces so I am hoping the paint holds up with out chipping.
What's that stuff called?
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mark IXZD 150:
quote:Originally posted by DaddySS: Thanks gang. I'm very pleased with how they turned out. I used a special metal etcher specifically for painting on highly polished surfaces so I am hoping the paint holds up with out chipping.
What's that stuff called?
POR 15 AP 120 metal prep.
Posted by Xsta Z 28 (Member # 740) on :
Very nice. Maybe now that you have your's done Mark might get off his #$& and get his done!
Very nice job. Look awesome. Always a great feeling of accomplishment when you do it your self. I am amazed on how good of finish one can get with cans of spray paint these days!
I used that POR 15 prep when I did my TB.
[ 25. March 2003, 03:04 PM: Message edited by: Xsta Z 28 ]
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
Thanks guys...coming from some of the "masters" on this board....! Yes it was a great feeling, although it took a lot of time to prep for the whole affair. I can't wait to share the paint booth story - you'll laugh! Posted by sscamaro (Member # 1330) on :
Nice job Rich. Looks great.
Posted by RHT (Member # 902) on :
Those look outstanding! Really nice job. After my track day in Portland, I need new tires. I have been thinking about the TT2's as well. I think they will look awesome on your car.
Ryan
Posted by 35th_camaro_ss (Member # 1738) on :
The wheels look great, it shows that you took the time to prep and get it done right..great job.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
Well I got them installed yesterday. I have to say that I'm not happy with how they turned out. The rears are almost sticking out past the fenders and now the space between the tires and fender is really obvious. I wanted to give the car a subtle change - a little more to the mean side - but I'm just not sure about this. It was a lot of work and I'd hate to just give up on it. I'm going to just relax and drive it a bit and see how I feel in the next few days.
Opinions welcome.
And by the way Ed, yes I know I need to get the driveway redone thank you very much!
[ 28. March 2003, 04:45 AM: Message edited by: DaddySS ]
Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on :
Maybe it's different "in person" but it looks great in the photos! I can see the the "gap" in the wheel lip opening to the tire, but being a black car I don't think it looks that bad. The more you see it you'll get used it. Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
Thanks for the reply. I did think that the black would minimize the gap, and I know lowering the car would help - which I really should do anyway, but that brings in a whole new set of issues.... Posted by Doug 97SS #1499 (Member # 100) on :
The car looks awesome in the pics! I wanted those wheels for my 97SS. But I can't get them because when I do the C5 front brake upgrade they will not clear the caliper according to AR.
Posted by DanA_F99_1977 (Member # 118) on :
Looks good to me. I agree that lowering it a bit would look mean! Nice job!
Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on :
Rich, ..."...not happy..." ?? They look great!, ...OK, I'll agree the gap looks more pronounced, ...but you were probably going to lower the car a bit anyway. Now you have a reason (like you needed one) to do it sooner... I'm waiting for a few more parts from GM, ...and then I'll be making the changes I/we talked about. I'll definitely let you know how it turns out, ...and what my final decision will be.
Kevin
Posted by JohnS (Member # 1073) on :
Looks fine to me too! Looks real aggresive.
If you really don't like them, I'll take them off your hands ........ for free. Posted by Xsta Z 28 (Member # 740) on :
Looks great! I remember when I installed my Z06's for the first and I was like "YIKES" 4x4. Car looks awesome! Just plan on installing either Hotchkis 1" lowering springs or the "custom" SLP Eibachs like I did and you will be on cloud nine!
Again looking SSweet! Posted by Mark IXZD 150 (Member # 235) on :
You'll adjust to the new look of the wider tires. I was ina bit of shock too with my 17x11 ZR1s but now it looks normal. Just lower it and they'll look great.
Posted by 35th 02 ss (Member # 1667) on :
I agree with Mark and Andy. get the car lowerd make it look really different.
BTW the rims look awesome don't change them.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
Thanks gang.
I will have to lower it but then I will probably have to deal with the rubbing issue and I will give up some clearance......I'll have to figure it out.
I'm looking forward to comparing notes with you Kevin and as we progress with these changes.
If I change my mind John their yours for a "small" handling fee .
It's good to hear that others were first unsettled about the look...gives me encouragement.
Thanks again everyone!
[ 28. March 2003, 01:21 PM: Message edited by: DaddySS ]
Posted by Xsta Z 28 (Member # 740) on :
quote:Originally posted by DaddySS: Thanks gang.
I will have to lower it but then I will probably have to deal with the rubbing issue and I will give up some clearance......I'll have to figure it out.
Be very careful with your choice of springs. That is why I recommended the Hotchkis or SLP Bilsteins. Anything more would put you into the danger zone on the rubbing. I have the SLP Bilsteins and they are perfect.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by Xsta Z 28:
quote:Originally posted by DaddySS: Thanks gang.
I will have to lower it but then I will probably have to deal with the rubbing issue and I will give up some clearance......I'll have to figure it out.
Be very careful with your choice of springs. That is why I recommended the Hotchkis or SLP Bilsteins. Anything more would put you into the danger zone on the rubbing. I have the SLP Bilsteins and they are perfect.
Absolutely - You mean the SLP eibachs?
Posted by Doug Harden (Member # 1796) on :
So what all paints did you use? I need to refinish my Fittipaldi's and the shop wants around $75/wheel.......
[ 28. March 2003, 05:20 PM: Message edited by: Doug Harden ]
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by Doug Harden: So what all paints did you use? I need to refinish my Fittipaldi's and the shop wants around $75/wheel.......
POR- 15 AP 120 metal prep - etches metal to help paint hold. Duplicolor dark gray primer 2 cans Duplicolor DSGM 344 Gunmetal gray 5 cans Duplicolor wheel paint clear 2 cans
Be sure to let the gray laquer dry overnight before using the wheel paint clear.
Posted by MaryandRalph (Member # 244) on :
Richard, I think the car looks great. Leave as it is for a bit and see if the way it sits grows on you!
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on :
quote:Originally posted by MaryandRalph: Richard, I think the car looks great. Leave as it is for a bit and see if the way it sits grows on you!
Thanks, that's what I'm going to do. I'll figure it out over time and with a little help from my freinds on the board here I'm sure we'll come up with the right answer.
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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. Thought I would let you know you must have webshots I get that sometimes.
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
. Now when are you going to paint the floor ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
.
![[Embarrassed]](redface.gif)
New storage shed going up this spring, all the junk out of the garage, paint floor. I'll have pics of that too when I'm done.![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
4x4. Car looks awesome! Just plan on installing either Hotchkis 1" lowering springs or the "custom" SLP Eibachs like I did and you will be on cloud nine! 