EliteCM.net

My wheels, that is. Alright, after seeing numerous silver CMs rocking the same wheels I got, I decided I wanted to change it up a bit. I like my wheels, but leaving them in the factory finish isn't cutting it for me. Here's where you guys come in. Should I paint them a graphite color similar to the TL-S wheels? Or should I flat black them? Here's a couple of quick photo edits to show the difference:
Original
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v65/crackerteg/Car%20related/SDC11731.jpg)
"Flat black"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v65/crackerteg/Car%20related/flatblkwheels.jpg)
"Graphite"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v65/crackerteg/Car%20related/GMwheels.jpg)
Let me know.

Go with graphite, but a shade darker and your good to go. :)

graphite for sure

leave them alone...

+1 I dont think those type of wheels will do anything for ya if painted.

If it's the TL-S Graphite pearl go for it... if not leave as is..

Z, it all depends on your theme direction.

IMO, I love the way they look on your ride as is. They flow very well and look really clean.

+1

Paint your calipers red so they match the valve cover your going to paint and the rims will stand out more!

if your thinking about just painting that +1

powder coating would be the better option though..

I wouldn't bother with this either.

Ya leave em alone man. What you can paint tho is those rocker panels/side sills/protectors to match the car.

These wheels are getting painted regardless. I can never leave well enough alone. I do plan on painting the skirts soon. If you had to choose between the two options, which would you do?

As far as my calipers go, they're staying flat black. I've got drums I don't really feel like showing off. Also Billy, my valve cover is going wrinkle blue.

My theme is going to be a stepped up OEM look hence the desire to change the finish on the wheels.

i vote graphite for that particular rim style(type S TL wheels) since your already decided on changing the color...you will be very happy when the sideskirts are painted to match the rest of the car...it makes it look so much nicer

+1.. do  the same color as the new TL-S wheels..and paint your sideskirt at the same time.

Well in that case, graphite would go well with ya ride. As for the sideskirts, I had mine painted but the paint got damaged from parking on top of a pile of snow/frozen ice chunks one winter. If you're not gonna experience something like that then paint it, but if you can find the EX sdeskirts for an awesome price then I'd get those instead. For what it's worth, I'd prob re-paint it again since it cost me less than having to buy two new EX sideskirts from the dealer.

id go with graphite. i think that would be better than the flat black since you want a "stepped up from OEM" look. the flat black would probably be a bit of a bigger contrast as far as what your looking for in color scheme.

i like how silver cars look with gun metal rims. so graphite that shit homie.

Jonathan, these wheels if painted is going to make your car look as if you where back on steelies!!!

I love how the car is looking now bro don’t fuck it up!!!

Use my dumb ass as you example!!!!

Here's the actual graphite color I will be painting (or thinking of)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v65/crackerteg/Car%20related/TheG2.jpg)
This was my DA before I sold it. The wheels were originally silver Konig Monsoons. Now you get an idea.

+1 on leaving them alone.  I don't like the black and I think the graphite just makes your wheels look dirty.

Paint.  You can decide which color.  They both look good.

I say save & cough up for new wheels. Nothing you do to the stockers will make any difference......get new stuff.

Wow. The naysayers in this thread are amazing. I'm just trying to do a little outside the box thinking. It's not easy for me to come up with money to just go and buy new wheels. It was hard enough to come up with the money to buy the ones on the car now. No aftermarket wheels will be mounted to this car and leaving it completely OEM doesn't cut it. If this is the kind of responses I'm going to get, there really is no point in asking for you guys opinion on the ONLY TWO OPTIONS GIVEN. Leavin them alone was not one of those two options. I'm done with this rant.

You already got my opinion.  I can understand wanting to stay with the OEM look.  Skippy is the same way.  I will make one suggestion though.  Consider powder coating them over painting them.

Thanks Tim. I considered powdercoating but don't know a place near me. I was thinking of paint because of the success I had with the different color schemes I had on my old DA's wheels. Plus, to paint I don't need to dismount the tires. And no one ever sees the inner part of the wheel anyway so I'm not worried about that. But the visible parts will change color from what they are now.

Gimme a few days might have a place in Queens or LI that does the powder coating! I gotta talk to my bro Dino...

EDIT: My bro don't have that # anymore. Try to goggle Powder Coating shops in Queens and Long Island. I know there is one close by... Good Luck on what you decide to do Z

One of my friends got a shop out in Queens that has the machine to do powder coating and sand blasting. I can't remember if it's big enough to accomodate a rim tho. He might know of some places out in LI too since I think that's where he goes to get the material and supplies.

don't flat black them. I'd lay down a white primer and throw graphite pearl on them. ...I might just paint my x360 that color. lemme know if you wanna see what shade that'd give

+1 Z, i think they flow very well on your car

I think you should PC them a graphite, but maybe like what matt said,  about using a white or light color primer to make the color a little lighter. Because IMO, some graphites on those wheels end up looking like a shit load of brake dust or something. But I like the idea of PC'ing or painting them.
Matt (rocketstarter), before totalling his cm7, painted his wheels a bronze on his black coupe. (EX 16") and they looked amazing.