I have an '87 740 and a nice set of dracos with winter tires.

I've been reading up on how to paint them. So now I'm just trying to decide on a color. My car is gold (I believe the paint code is 400-1) so I wasn't thinking I would piaint the rims gold. I was thinking of maybe gun metal color or a very dark, almost reddish brown color.

If you've pained your rims or have opinions on a good color choice before I "pull the trigger" I would like to hear them before I make a bad choice and have to start again.

Thanks

Drive by my place and have a look at the 14's I painted up for the 242 a number of years back. Gunmetal grey wheel paint from crappy tire I think. Has held up pretty well, certainly not perfect, but then it's far from a perfect job. Like all painting, the proof is in the prep. I think I bead blasted them first, which really helps clean them off.

did mine with the dupi-color that crappy tire sells, just make sure your prep is good and you will be fine.

the Idea was I would take them to my friends heated garage pressure wash them using some kind of rim soap to remove dirt and grime. then power sand them and then paint and polish.
does that sound right?

I would try a wheel acid for the caked on brake dust, the wheels aren't chrome so you wont have any problem with the finish being taken off.

where do I get wheel acid?
and how do I use it?

Easy does it there chemical man...some chemicals don't react very well to clear coat. Check first. Simple Green will remove all sorts of nasty stuff finished off with some wax and grease remover. Try to avoid Spray Nine or lacquer thinner they are not all that nice to most finishes.

would a pressure washer, rim soap, and a little elbow grease. do the trick? or would I need to use something harsher?

Neither is bead blasting. I thought the original question was about painting the rims, not trying to preserve the original finish?

thats right. so how should I clean them?
chemicals or no chemicals? that is the question...

So back to the original question... color?

You want the original finish to remain intact...it can be softened by some chemicals - that was my point. If you're going to give your wheels a quick spray paint job (rattle can assumed), then go to your local paint dealer and pick up some red 3M scuff pads and have at it. Clean with wax and grease remover first, then scuff, then clean with W&G and paint. Try to have both the wheels and the paint somewhat above freezing for this to work.

Our chemicals are from Chemfax, I dont think they deal with the public.

thanks 122_Canuck that helps alot. the plan like I said was actually to do this all in my friends heated garage.

the two colors that i've narrowed it down to are:
Duplicolor - HWP105 Bronze
or
Duplicolor - HWP102 Graphite

Opinions please

We all like a pole...I would prefer the bronze over the graphite. Black wheels and black tires in a dark wheel makes the whole wheel disappear. Bronze or just straight silver is fine.

bronze, sorry dont have a better pic at the moment.