NEW WHEELS FOR MY EP3 (pics)

[i-WERKS]

Well, it'll be one year old this July. Here's a timeline of what my car looked like from the day I got it to last weekend.
First thing I did was powdercoat my stock wheels to black
Then lowered followed by a set of 16 inch ALT Litespeed wheels wraped with Toyo proxes F24 (noisey like shit but sticker than stock)
Finally, since my last powdercoating job sucked ass, I decided to go with a spray paint in graphite color. Paint was made by Duplicolor designed for wheels.
Let me tell you. The finish looks exactly like the rsx type S wheels. It's not glossy and leaves a powdercoated texture.
Rim weight = 15.5 lbs
Tire size = 205/45/16 so the diameter is a little less than stock.

[i-WERKS]

here's a close up of the wheels and the painted finish

[FACTION95Si]

Nice work! Those wheels in that new color look great on your EP. Why are those tires so noisy?

[02SilverSiHB]

nice rims, did you mean FZ4 for the toyos? Their quiet imo

[i-WERKS]

02SilverSiHB they're quite????
I have the Z rated ones and it sounds like a plane taking off between 40-60 km/h. Maybe the other speed ratings are quieter.

[i-WERKS]

Originally posted by i-WERKS
02SilverSiHB they're quiet????
I have the Z rated ones and it sounds like a plane taking off between 40-60 km/h. Maybe the other speed ratings are quieter.

[PRODIUS]

Nice wheels i-WERKS!!
Good job with the paint can.

[Skunk2EP]

Paint finish on wheels came out very nice, looks original. Duplicolor spraypaint has come along way. They have alot of sprays for different car stuff, pretty kewl!

What drop do you have? Coilovers?

[golferjn]

good job. nice wheels

[Makross]

nice job you got some balls to paint your new rims but they came out good:o

[IceD out N CALI]

looks pretty good:)

[Civicvtec1ps]

looks nice. good choice:cool:

[02SilverSiHB]

Originally posted by i-WERKS
02SilverSiHB they're quite????
I have the Z rated ones and it sounds like a plane taking off between 40-60 km/h. Maybe the other speed ratings are quieter.
hmmmm, strange I have z rated also. I thought, I'll have to check for sure, what's your tread rating? Mines 300...just curious, you probably have a different version of them.

[02TafWhtSi]

did you have to do any prep work before painting the wheels (sanding,priming)?

[i-WERKS]

Makross
After I got them and put them on, I figured that the color isn't really what I want. I really like the style of the wheel and the price so I decided to paint them. Can't really go wrong since you can always touch them up with the spray paint if you ever chip them.

Skunk2EP
I dropped it on Skunk2 coilovers over stock shocks. Also got a skunk2 shift knob so I'm on my way to being a Skunk2EP as well.
What do you have done so far?

02SilverSiHB
Yup Tread wear is also 300. Are you sure you have the F24 and not the T1S?

02TafWhtSi
To prep it I only sanded it with 400 grit sandpaper. I didn't use primer. I sprayed about 4 coats of the color and used less than one can to do all 4 wheels. I just masked around the tires and sprayed away.

[02SilverSiHB]

Originally posted by i-WERKS


02SilverSiHB
Yup Tread wear is also 300. Are you sure you have the F24 and not the T1S?

positive, I just looked at them. Weird, mine are quiet.

[BarracksSi]

Originally posted by i-WERKS
Can't really go wrong since you can always touch them up with the spray paint if you ever chip them.

Bingo. As long as it's quality paint, this is certianly a good idea for getting exactly the wheels one would want.

[02SilverSiHB]

oh yeah, I-Werks, I have the z rated also.

[LordKoo]

Check your tire rotation direction and inflation rate (stick to OEM recommendation), these are one of the factors that can cause loud rotating noise.

[i-WERKS]

I'm sure that the tire rotation is correct. It says LEFT and RIGHT on the tires. There's an arror pointing to the rotation of the tire.
Here's a picture. Let me know if it's right.
I'm running 35 psi in the front and 33 in the rear.

[02SilverSiHB]

Originally posted by i-WERKS
I'm sure that the tire rotation is correct. It says LEFT and RIGHT on the tires. There's an arror pointing to the rotation of the tire.
Here's a picture. Let me know if it's right.
I'm running 35 psi in the front and 33 in the rear.
yeah it looks right. I have a slightly bigger sidewall, so maybe it's dampining the sound you're getting. No idea.

[c0mf0rt]

Hey man can you post a pic one more time.... they don't seem to be here anymore... and I'm thinkin about going with the graphite...

[i-WERKS]

Originally posted by c0mf0rt
Hey man can you post a pic one more time.... they don't seem to be here anymore... and I'm thinkin about going with the graphite...

Here's a before and after pic

[c0mf0rt]

I just did mine.... and I've gotta little bit of a rough texture to it.... any tips???? or are yours like that???

[i-WERKS]

The finish isn't suppose to be glossy. It's kinda like the RSX-S wheels. I put on about 5 coats of paint. Each coat is very thin and I didn't completely cover the original color until my 3rd coat. It's a matte finish and it should have a completely even texture through out the wheel.
If you want a glossy finish, spray a thicker final coat but then you increase the chance of the paint running.

[c0mf0rt]

Well the thing I'm worried about is grease/brake dust getting stuck in the grain.... have you had any problems with this???? Do you use wheel cleaner??? What kind....

Thanks for the help man

[i-WERKS]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I've had them done for a while now and brake dust doesn't show up much because of the color of the rim. I haven't used any wheel cleaner. Just some soap and water.