and has anyone actually seen the chrome wheels? Do we know if they are the satin-finish show car wheels, or *bling-bling* chrome. I hate to say it, but I still think the Silverstone is a little blah with the painted 18s and believe that a polished or chrome wheel would make it extra sharp, but still retain a level of refinement. Ever see a Seal Grey 996 with chrome 18s? They KILL!

No matter how hard I try to like the painted 18s, I just get depressed looking at them. Yet, when I stare at my Tamiya model (painted in Silverstone) with the satin chrome 18s, I'm totally stoked.

BTW, what's the demand like for Enthusiast and Touring 5AT owners looking to upgrade to a brand new set of 18s w/tires?

 

I think they would look sweet on my PPW. I really want the Ray's 18's though. But I'm still keeping my options open.

 

I don't think it would look bad as long as they are tasteful. I personally don't like any type of chrome wheels--too gaudy.

 

The rims on the z at the Ft. Lauderdale car show appeared to be polished. The car looked better in real life than in pictures. It was awsome.

 

droidekaus,

I'm with you. I don't like the painted wheels either. The polished wheels on the show car sweet. I've been searching the web for custom wheel for a couple of weeks now and there are some good choices out there. However, I am curious to see what the chromed wheel from the dealership looks like. Life shouldn't be so tough.

 

I think the polished wheels are the ones that are in the picture of the Z that are in our black confirmation letters. I haven't looked at that thing in so long!

 

I've already narrowed it down to 2 sets that I really like. Autually going with 19's though. What I really need is the offset so that I can have these things waiting the day of delivery. I think the Nissan wheels are ok but if you're gonna pay 15-1800 for them then you might as well go with aftermarket.

 

I want to know if there is any way to make the wheels like the ones on the car that was at all the auto shows. Is that polished, chromed or what? I like the wheels but that paint job needs to go. I too have the silverstone and want to make it look a little better. God, I wish all the things in life were this difficult.:

 

Polished. Someone gave a technique that could be used to polish, but i forget where i read it at.

 

thanks Zgirl! I hope someone remembers where it is. Im all over that action!

 

I gave that advice, its in the thread called silverstone on 2003 maxima (or something long those lines)

 

Here is what I found. I think that I will worry about the rims when the car gets here. My first priority is to drive off in the car listening to my CD, which I thank all of you for some great suggestions.




Brad4rdHay wrote:

POlishing the wheels would involve
1. Romoving the wheel from the car.
2. Removing the tires.
3. Purchasing inductrial stength paint stripper.
4. Strip ALL of the paint.
5. Find an alloy polish.
6. Polish the wheel, usually involves usuing a mounted machine with the correct attachments.
7. Purchase a clear coat or powder coat.
7. Prep the surface to free it of any resudues.
8. Apply several coats of clear coat and allow ample curing times between coats (about 24 hrs.)
9. Pray that it holds up.


JDZ wrote:

OR take it to a pro, have them do all of the work and pray that it holds up. Either way, if you insist on having them polished, take em to a pro. I would take it to a pro.

I don't think it requires that much work. You shouldn't have to remove the tires. Just use some paint stripper to remove the clearcoat from the wheels. Then sanding is the biggest job. You'll want to start out with a coarser grit like 300 and work your way up to a really fine grit like 1000. After that just polish and you're done. No need to clearcoat afterwards. The clearcoat will probably dull the shine anyway. I don't see any need to use a machine for sanding or polishing but it would cut down on the time involved.

Oh yeah, I doubt the wheels are painted other than clearcoat. It's just that they look dull because they aren't polished like the show wheels.


Brad4rdHay wrote:

TRUST me, they are painted, in fact I have a book that includes how to do this. Getting paint remover on the tires is vary bad for the tires. I would take em to a pro, or just get new wheels...but if you insist of keeping thecar stock or lovethe 18 inchers that comewith the car, then yeah, you can take em to a pro to hae them re-finished. As for clear coating, it might dull the shine slightly, but thats the alternative to polishing the wheels every week, not just cleaning, but usuing a dedicated mag-aluminum polish (such as Mother or Nev-r-Dull)

 

I will take them to a pro. I have never done anything like that and my Z is my baby...Let the pro's do it! what kind of shop am I looking for? Just a body shop or paint shop?