I realize there's no accounting for taste and opinions are like elbows. Everyone has one or two. But that's why I value this forum.

I'm having my wheels repainted next week. I have the 19" Carelia's:



And the contrast to the black car is nice.



I have the opportunity to change color. The vendor is picking up the wheels next week and he's bringing some paint chip samples. He is of the opinion that contrast is king too, but so many cars have the stock aluminum gray finish.

I am traditional with regard to styling of my XK. No added bling if you will. I regret having to add the front license plate but I live only a few blocks from the cop shop so nary a day goes by that I would be ticketed.

The vendor also highly recommends a high gloss finish regardless of color as chips in the finish can easily be repaired vs. having to refinish the entire wheel with a matte finish. They are also much easier to keep clean, though they don't get very dirty with the ceramic pads on. That said, I know I'm going high gloss.

I like contrast as I stated but thoughts on going a little darker than silver? Perhaps a gunmetal gray?

Check this member post. I love the look but they are a tad too dark for a black car (for me).
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/p...rt-as3-192629/

So bottom line, I will stay in the gray/ silver color line, but would appreciate feedback on shade or if you have a pic, please send or post. Please refrain from any and all 50 shades of gray book references:-)

Thank you gentlemen.

 

Finding the original wheel color is difficult, if not impossible.

I just had all 4 of my original Selena wheels completely refurbished and powdercoated. The inside barrel is gloss black and the face is a dark shade of hypersilver. Cost was $165 each, including tire removal, reinstallation and balance. Note that the inset center spokes are chrome covers and are not powdercoated. The powdercoated surfaces are a close match to that chrome. I think they look great with the polished aluminum side vent and Shadow Gray paint.

Powdercoating is a more durable finish than painting.

 

+1 on powdercoating.
Had a set of Sentas refinished last year, about the same price quoted by 'Stuart S', although mine had no tires or TPMS mounted at the time. They were both powdercoated to the OEM color, and then clear coated (also baked on I believe).
I chose to stick to the original 'Bright Silver' finish, as it's not just a matte finish, if you look close you see the sparkle in there.
Not sure why a gloss finish would be easier to repair than a matte finish.
And with ceramic pads, they just don't get dirty.

 

Personally I think the carelia's look absolutely brilliant in black chrome (shadow)

 

I painted a set of wheels years ago when I lived in Vermont, and they were chipped up by mid summer from all the sand left on the roads from the previous winter.

If you live in an area that sands the roads in the winter, I'd advise against paint due to chipping from the stones and pebbles. I know you're not driving it in the winter, but the sand lingers far longer than you think.

As for the color... buck the trend and go hot pink. Hey, you asked.

 

http://i.pinimg.com/736x/2c/27/d3/2c...bac6fac39b.jpg

 

this is worth using twice

 

Very nice! :-)

 

+1. They look great!

There are several different processes for refinishing alloy wheels including, but not limited to, "real" chrome, PVD coated, machined, polished, powdercoated and painted. Which one to choose depends on the look, durability, ease of touch-up, and cost. I chose powdercoating.

This "black chrome " is not the traditional, real "triple chrome plating" process. It's PVD (Physical Vapor Deposit) coating, which is more environmentally friendly. Today's OEM "chrome" wheels are PVD coated.

For more information on each process, Google "types of wheel refinishing".

 

I know its not in your original statement, but I would go PVD Chrome.

 

+1 for Tervuren suggestion. But I'm biased for chrome wheels.

 

Wonder what Cragars would look like on an XK. They were my favorite wheel back in my high school days.


http://static.summitracing.com/globa...C581245_xl.jpg

 

The OP is in Minnesota, where winter roads may be treated with salt and other chemicals detrimental to real chrome. PVD or powdercoated would be a better choice. Also, having your OEM alloys "real" chrome plated weakens them; that's why manufacturers use steel wheels for chroming. PVD doesn't adversely affect the metallurgy of alloys. See: Why PVD is Better Than Chrome for Your Rims - Discover how PVD works

 

Having owned vehicles with "chromed" wheels, I would not chose this finish. I live in a "salt belt" and tend to keep cars for 8-10 years. This being the case, at some point nearing the 10 years the chrome starts to flake, not only on the outside, but, along the inside of the bead line, doing so, the tires begin to lose air with the flaking and peeling.
Yes, PVD or powder-coating has my vote.

 

Sean are you able to weigh the front and rears would love to see how much lighter they are compared to the senta wheels

 

+1 on powder coat. Had it done on my custom wheels, very durable and nearly flawless. Also have had PVD on my other Jags.

Stuart, please what is the name or number of the powder you have on those wheels? That is what I️ was supposed To have on mine but ended up with dark metallic gray.

 

I don't know - it's not stated on my invoice. They had sample wheels and I picked the color I liked best. I'll call the shop tomorrow (if they're open on Saturday; if not, it'll be Monday) and update this thread.
____________________________

P.S. They're closed Saturday and Sunday. I'll let you know Monday.

 

Steve, I'm pulling the wheels and they're picking them up on Monday. As they'll have the tires on them, I'll ask the vendor if they can weigh them once they remove the tires and counter weights.

 

Sean even if they can be weighed including the tyre that would be fantastic

Hope you go the black chrome, if I didn't have the senta's I would be going your exact wheel.

 

I don't think this shop does PVD coating and I've committed to them but I might go powder coat. In any event he'll be stopping by Monday morning so we'll have those conversations. Initial cost will be the determining factor.

If I can get the bathroom scale past my wife when I pull the tires, I'll weigh them myself. It's a very accurate scale.

Stuart, I really like your wheels and may replicate them but go a tad lighter on the silver. Beautiful wheels.

Honestly guys, I love the options you've pointed to but, the warden has given me an allowance and my playing around with my car money is drying up, so I want to stay low end. The quote for high gloss was $580 including rebalance.

4th Jag since 2003 I think and she's about had enough. The first two were reclamation's of 80's VDP's and of course, once done, I got bored and bought another and so on. And we all know how break even a restored Jaguar is

So she demanded I just buy a car that didn't need fixing. The 05 Super V8 landed in my lap. I owned it for a couple years and decided to look into the XK.

Price you pay when you retire mid 50's and you marry a CFO.