Z06 Painted wheels
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Z06 Painted wheels
I have the stock wheels on my '02Z. I have read many times that they are great wheels. I was wondering tho', what is under the paint? Could they be stripped, polished and clear coated?
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,338
Likes: 24,779
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I don't see why they can't be stripped, polished and cleared. They are aluminum after all. But I would think they would require a lot of work to get it done. Here was a post on the forum a while back that will give you some idea what it was like to strip and polish some thin spoke wheels.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I have some '02 Z06 wheels also and was thinking the same. I would like to know what is under the paint too. Pictures would be great. How smooth is the aluminum under there and how much sanding polishing is needed, and how they turned out.
Love to hear from someone who has polished the Z06 wheels.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
I have some '02 Z06 wheels also and was thinking the same. I would like to know what is under the paint too. Pictures would be great. How smooth is the aluminum under there and how much sanding polishing is needed, and how they turned out.
Love to hear from someone who has polished the Z06 wheels.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
I called them, and discussed alternatives. Roughly, to strip, polish, and clearcoat, about $200/wheel and it could take 2weeks because of all the labor. He also said when painted wheels are made the surface might not be as amenable to polishing as ones destined for a polished finish. However, he also suggested a brushed finish for the face of the wheel, and the rest would be a painted color with clear coat over everything. That would cost about $150 unless one went for a custom color for the remainder of the wheel. Powdercoat is another option.
Sorry if that's a bit sketchy, but I will have more once I get my car back fron the body shop.
I found the following pic emailed it to the shop owner. He said that is how it will come out.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109355
Sorry if that's a bit sketchy, but I will have more once I get my car back fron the body shop.
I found the following pic emailed it to the shop owner. He said that is how it will come out.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109355
Last edited by chasboy; Dec 5, 2013 at 09:18 AM. Reason: Update
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
There was another machine faced wheel in an earlier thread. I thought these looked really good.
Thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-wheels-2.html
Post copied below.
Thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-wheels-2.html
Post copied below.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Chas, the '04 Z16 wheels are the same wheels completely polished instead of painted from the factory. So I suppose you can get the painted wheels totally polished. My personal favorite look. How about a polished lip with the center painted completely gloss black? Jeff
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
I did some photoshopping of the wheel, thinking I would like a light grey interior but it does nothing for the design. My main design concern for the finished product is the center caps. He will paint them anything I want, but I don't want a 3rd texture on the wheel. Seems the only choice is black.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
The wheels can definatly be stripped (chemical stripp is best) and pollished. the Z16 Z06 wheels are pollished and cleared from the factory. So you can also get OEM Pollished Centercaps... Aftermarket "Chrome" center caps should also work. Here is my Z16 with OEM Pollished wheels:
Last edited by RedZMonte; Dec 7, 2013 at 12:22 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
Someone posted a DIY strip/polish project, and with my background, I think I could do it. But, without a garage or proper paint equipment I'm going to leave it to a pro. The idea of the gloss black barrels seems great for further maintenance.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
I did some Photoshop experimenting, and they will be a bright machined face with the inside black powder coat and then clear powder coat over everything. Center cap will be painted black and I will add a C5 logo. Cost is $600 total.