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Debated about adding this to the "Should I paint my GTS wheels?" thread, but figured it might be more searchable this way.
I have never been a fan of black wheels, but I wanted the CLs that come on the 991 GTS, so I figured I'd get them that way and either paint or replace with HREs. Decided after a year that the black really does bug me but I love the wheels (except at cleaning time.) I love 5-spokes but have had that on most of my Porsches and this evokes a lot of memories of BBS Porsche wheels from the 80s. So I opted to paint them.
But what color? I have a couple friends with 991 GT3s, white and guards, and they both opted for the Platinum Satin finish on those wheels. Still very dark but just enough lighter than black to pick up some light and show highlights of the spokes even in low-lighting situations. So I thought I'd go with that.
Then the 911R press car started showing up with its traditional silver wheels, but the GT3 CLs. I was smitten. Realized I needed to just admit that I'm a silver-wheel kinda guy. I decided that rather than mix my silvers, I wanted to go body-color. Which I'd never seen -- that is, never seen GT Silver on a wheel.
I asked a friend at the local dealership who he would use, and he gave me the name of "The Guy." Works out of his shop out back of his house, turns them around slowly, only takes on so much work, but when it's done it's done right.
Got in touch back in April, he couldn't start the project till late May. He bought some GT Silver, sprayed a test card, covered with satin clear coat. I looked at it, looked fine, but it's not on a wheel. So who knows?
He came to the house last Tuesday (10 days ago). We put the car on stands, pulled the 4 wheels (I have the tools -- this is his first CL) and off he went with them strapped down in his van.
Just got a text with a picture of the wheels with the color applied and ready for clear. He's planning to shoot the satin clear tonight, then mount and balance the tires tomorrow afternoon if everything is dry. I should have the wheels back on my car tomorrow evening.
I opted to leave the barrels black inside and out, and also the CL mounting hardware. If that looks bad I'll know instantly and address it.
He said he spent 6 hours taping the barrels to ensure a perfect line between silver and black.
Just got sent a picture of one in the drying room, after final coat of clear satin. I am stoked! I was worried they'd turn out shiny, like the paint on the actual car. This is EXACTLY what I was looking for, at least as far as the iPhone photo indicates.
Wow, how many arms did you have to twist? I tried and found it to be a dead end. Good for you! THat looks spectacular on DBM. Also, I'm very happy to see the factory leaves the CL nut black and it looks great. I was worried about that.
Actually it was kind of easy. took a month to contact factory back and forth and then they decided to charge me 1K euro through exclusive. Was worth it.
Actually it was kind of easy. took a month to contact factory back and forth and then they decided to charge me 1K euro through exclusive. Was worth it.
That's about what I paid, and it took me about a month! I'd rather the factory did it, though.
06-03-2016 | 07:36 PM
Painting 991 GTS Centerlocks GT Silver
I'd rather the factory did it, though.
