What color to paint my steel smoothie wheels?

[likaroc13]

I recently bought a new set of 15" Wheel Vintiques smoothie wheels. Trying to decide whether to paint or powder coat. First up, I need to come to a conclusion on what color I want. Just looking for some opinions from you guys.

A couple pics of the Tahoe:

97 Tahoe by likaroc13, on Flickr

97 Tahoe by likaroc13, on Flickr

here's the wheel I'm using:

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

my center caps:

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr


I will also be running trim rings. This is not exactly the same look I'll have but the same wheel, so it should give you an idea:

[likaroc13]

If it helps with your decision, I plan to eventually add some traditional color flames in a layout similar to this:

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

[Cape Codder]

I like the red.

[killthewabbit]

Honestly, I'd leave em the gray (they look gray to me) they are now or go black. Maybe find a darker gray for them.

Black and red is a little too common for my tastes. Voted black since there's no option for gray.

[Cape Codder]

I kind of agree that the red and black might not be the best but I like it with the white. I like color still as the grey will look a lot like the stock silver. But with your truck being all blacked out you could go black and be close to what you have now. Looking again at your truck I would bolt them on as they are and see how it looks. Wheels are pretty easy to paint with the tires mounted and you don't scratch them while mounting. If the color on them is primer Dodge had a nice grey for a truck color in the 90's.

[likaroc13]

The current color is just a primer from the wheel factory. I'll admit I'm a bit hesitant with red or black, simply because those are most common. That said, it's hard to go wrong with either of those. The Vette/Camaro style rally wheels that used to be on it are/were silver. I have considered silver or gray, but I was afraid they might be too bland. I think it worked fine for the rally wheels since that's typically the color you see on the Vette or Camaro. Just not sure about it on the smoothies.

97 Tahoe by likaroc13, on Flickr

[darkhorse970]

I voted black but really think I'd do a metallic gray/graphite color.

[Palf70Step]

Me, I like the light gray color in post #6, or like Keith said.

[Hubscrub]

I voted blue, my wife had a blue special mixed for her truck. Gets lots of positive comments they do look better than i expected. Best pics I got

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Hubscrub

I voted blue, my wife had a blue special mixed for her truck. Gets lots of positive comments they do look better than i expected. Best pics I got

If it weren't for my plans to use traditional flame colors later, I had seriously already thought about a similar color. It's more of a teal than blue. I thought it would really "pop" with the solid black. Here's a pic I saved because of the color:

[likaroc13]

Digging this back up since I'm almost ready to make something happen. Starting to check with powder coaters. I'm highly leaning towards the dark gray/graphite/gunmetal colors, however I'm trying to decide on two things:

1) Metallic or not?
2) Satin or Glossy?

[speedygonzales]

Satin Grey not metallic

[special-K]

Orange. Great traditional hot rod color, goes with flames, great with black.

But I like your gun metal idea for a classy more subdued look. That's probably what I would do.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by special-K

Orange. Great traditional hot rod color, goes with flames, great with black.

But I like your gun metal idea for a classy more subdued look. That's probably what I would do.

I would probably opt for orange for the reasons you mention. That's the sort of route I went with my old '93 & the bright green wheels. As you mentioned though, with this one I'm going for a more subdued & classy hot rod look.

[killthewabbit]

I like the look of satin, but I think I'd go shiny for easy cleaning. Like I said back in November, I like a grey color.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by killthewabbit

I like the look of satin, but I think I'd go shiny for easy cleaning. Like I said back in November, I like a grey color.

Talked to the owner of Superior Sandblasting & Powder Coat in Nashville yesterday. The Little Shop mistakenly referred me to NitroPlate. They're in the area as well but do high temp coatings for exhaust, engine, etc. The guy I spoke to there referred me to Superior & spoke highly of them. That's actually who The Little Shop meant to refer me to, as they use them also. Anyway, I stopped by to see some color charts & swatches. He said it could be anywhere from $120+ if he has to order a specific color he doesn't have; because I think there's a limit on the amount he can order at one time, not to mention shipping. Prismatic, one of the places he can order from, has over 6,500 colors to choose from. It's quite overwhelming just browsing their website! However, he has enough extra of one color at the shop called Kingsport Grey. Here's a link which also shows some example pics:

http://www.prismaticpowders.com/colo...INGSPORT-GREY/

[killthewabbit]

That color and texture looks pretty awesome. I'd sure be thinking about that one.

Kills me that you have Little Shop recommending powder coating and I can't even get them to respond to a suspension question I've asked them twice via email.

[speedygonzales]

I like that Kingsport Grey.

So since it's a color he does not have to order, how much will it cost and will they be doing everything like prep and so on?

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by killthewabbit

That color and texture looks pretty awesome. I'd sure be thinking about that one.

Kills me that you have Little Shop recommending powder coating and I can't even get them to respond to a suspension question I've asked them twice via email.

My dad has a friend that knows a guy who powder coats. I'm gonna check with him too before pulling the trigger.

I agree, that's odd about The Little Shop. Sucks that they don't have a phone, but I guess that allows them to work without interruption. Leslie emailed me first, & we went back & forth a couple times. Then she forwarded my emails to Eric. I've gone back & forth with him a couple times as well. I was trying to see if they'd be interested in painting my grille. Unfortunately he said they can't since they have to focus on the bigger projects that are underway. I can understand that. So, now I'm trying to figure out if he has any recommendations of painters in the area. He mentioned that it's something any body shop could probably take care of. But I don't trust just "any" body shop.

They also told me I was welcome to stop by the shop anytime. Eric just said he'd prefer I come after 4:30, because they're really slammed right now.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by speedygonzales

I like that Kingsport Grey.

So since it's a color he does not have to order, how much will it cost and will they be doing everything like prep and so on?

I haven't gotten a firm quote yet, but he said it's usually $75-100 per wheel. And yes, he would do all the prep work. We were looking at my wheels & wondering if the primer is powder or paint. He said he thought it was powder, & if so, that would eliminate him having to blast & primer himself. When I got home I rubbed a little lacquer thinner on them, & it's definitely powder coat primer. That'll benefit me no matter who ends up doing the work. He also highly recommended clearing metallic colors due to the elements affecting them.

[likaroc13]

Dropped the wheels off for powder today. Ended up going to the guy my dad's friend told me about. I had him order several color swatches, & I decided to go with Mega Grey. It offers a nice contrast against the black body without being too dark or light, & it will still allow the center caps (& trim rings if I run them) to stand out a bit. Here's a link to the color:

http://www.prismaticpowders.com/colo...831/MEGA-GREY/

[Racker]

What are you doing with the old rims after you get the news back?

[Kim57]

Very nice color.
Kim

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Racker

What are you doing with the old rims after you get the news back?

I'll be selling the 18's. I have someone already interested, so we'll see if he wants to follow through once I get the new ones installed.

Originally Posted by Kim57

Very nice color.
Kim

Thanks!