I picked up Z06 Speedlines for my '99 Mag Red convertible and am pleased with how they look on the car. However, I don't like the bright red embossed emblem on the wheels' center caps. I want to change it to a neutral dark color (black) or maybe Mag Red or to a multicolored logo as is on the center caps of my other wheels, the Magnesium Sports.

To repaint to a single color, I'm thinking I could try paint into the recesses of the embossed logo. That is pretty fine work and I'm not sure I would have a steady enough hand to do it. I've thought that some sort of very fine dropper/syringe would allow me to put in a very small amount of paint that might self-level. Or maybe squeegee paint into the recesses and clean it off the upper surface? Anyone done anything like this? Suggestions/advice?

The multicolored logo would be done using decals, which I already have, but would require filling the recesses of the embossed logo with some sort of filler, sanding it smooth, repainting, apply the logo, then cover with clearcoat. Sounds like a lot of work! Again, anyone with any suggestions/advice?

I've also thought about finding caps that do not have the embossed logo or, if I got really lucky, already have a logo in black or even the multi-colored logo. Poking around on the Google machine, I see there are logo-less versions in chrome (nope, want to stay with painted), in black with the multicolored logo (nope, need them in silver), silver with the embossed logo just in relief (not painted), and one vendor offering them in the silver with no logo at all, which would be my best bet, except . . . that vendor is Corvette Mods and the price is pretty steep ($90 for the set). I've seen the many, many posts of problems with that vendor taking forever to ship items, shipping the incorrect items, shipping defective items, shipping damaged items, and then just going dark on returns/refunds. I'm concerned that, even at that price, they won't fit correctly or color won't match the rest of the wheels, or there will be some defect and I will be stuck. Does anyone have any experience with these center caps from this vendor?

Pic below is one of the center caps with one of the decals I would use.

K9Leader

 

No one else sells those particular centers? Corvettemods isn't the manufacturer.

 

The easiest way to paint those would be to use acrylic (water based) paint and a fine brush. Brush your color of choice into the recesses, and use a rag to wipe off any amounts that get on the outer edges/center cap of the logo. You can then add a clear caot to seal it after it dries.
Please be sure to thoroughly clean the caps before any painting, as that promotes the best chance for adhesion.
Hope that helps!

 

Found a couple on Ebay - one seller (BB Auto) has a set for $60 but only one review and it is a 1-star saying they didn't even come close to fitting. The other sells them individually for $19 each - only four reviews but they are generally positive, although one mentions getting them to fit was challenging. Both cheaper options to Corvette Mods.

 

I have a cerakote guy that has done some work on my guns and he is also laser etching center caps for me, so I would try a similar type of local business.

 

I gave it a try - I have a Dr. Color Chip kit in Mag Red with the paint, tiny brushes, tiny little droplet tubes (like mini turkey basters), a squeegee, and the solvent liquid. I ended up putting paint into the recesses, squeegeeing across it and wiping the excess with a cloth with solvent on it. Used detailing swabs with solvent to clean up in tight spaces. Came out fairly well. The Mag Red color of course matches the body and the brake calipers and is better than the bright red, which just clashed terribly with the Mag Red. I'm still really feeling the plain caps with the three-color decal as the way to go, if I can get the plain caps and they fit.

These are still pretty wet so look uneven, but they should (I hope) dry and flatten out (the first test one did).

 

Years ago I was helping a friend restore a 65 Vert. He had a neighbor that was an art student. She said she could repaint his emblems to look new. She applied the paint with small brushes, then put them in an oven at low temp to let the pain smooth out. A heat gun might work as well.

 

I ordered some black gloss and had a friend with an Etsy shop play with the edge color to work with my new wheel color.

 

Are your wheels gold, matching the gold in the logo? I got these wheels so I could save wear and tear on my Mag Sport wheels and one thought is that I may paint or powdercoat these wheels the same bronze color as the Mag Sports. That bronze color is perfect with the Mag Red.

K9Leader

 

Ironically, I had them Powdercoated Bronze Chrome.

 

use fingernail polish

 

IF it is like the corvette lettering on front tag bracket cover and the rear bumper lettering that is recessed, tape up around them and spray them and remove tape and have a paper shop role of towel, apply paint thinner mineral spirits wrapped over a small block of wood and wipe over the top leaving the painted recessed flags. Don't soak the tower but damp. Did my front and rear bumper and center caps yrs ago and worked great. Very easy and fast process

 

I bought a set of Cray Manta wheels for my '98 and didn't want the Cray

center caps. I found these on Ebay. And a word to the wise, do not deal with Corvette Mods. Go onto the transaction forum here and you'll find numerous complaints about their products and behavior. They are no longer a CF vendor for these reasons...

 

Yes, this is what I envision. I've seen all the complaints about Corvette Mods, which is why I asked the question and was looking for alternatives. The ones on Ebay are less expensive than Corvette Mods, but still carry the Corvette tax, and reviews are mixed. I will probably give them a try, though, as my Type A-ism will keep nagging at me about this. Just don't tell my wife - after the wheels and now, new tires, she doesn't need to know. Well, more accurately, I need for her not to know. (Just kidding! Sort of.)

Here they are with the Mag Red paint in the logo recesses after drying a few hours. Not perfect and still need some cleaning up, but will do for now and do look much better on the wheels/car than the bright red:

 

Look pretty good for an amateur...

 

Thanks - considering that the first time I try something there is a big Doofus-factor, they look good from six feet away.

 

I've been building car models and the like since I was a kid, so this kind of art work is familiar to me; for someone who just took a stab at it, I think you did a great job! Using water-based paint gives you an additional "fudge-factor" in that you can just wipe away before anything dries, but you went in the deep end of the pool and came up swimming!