Hi guys
New to the forum and just bought a 2007 XK Black with 20" Sentas. I would like to paint them black, but was wondering if the small nuts all the way around the rim are removable for painting?
Thanks guys!
Aloha from Maui

 

Bump

 

I'm fairly sure that the small nuts are just cosmetic. I believe they are there to create the look of a BBS 3 piece wheel. If you coat them with a petroleum base product, then paint, you can remove the coating and you should be okay.

 

Yes they are removable. I had mine powdercoated. I do not recomend painting wheels as it is very difficult to mount a tire on them with out removing the paint. shell out a little bit more and have the powdercoated.

Attached is a picture of a dirty wheel. After a run up Palomar mountain. You can see the bolts along the rim are not powdercoated. It does take a special tool to do so. When I had my wheels done. I took them to a custom wheel specialist. As with 20” wheels before you have anything done to them, It is often wise to get them straightened first.

 

Spidi
Thanks for the reply! They look like you just screw them off but I didn't want to try one until I had a confirmation from one of the experts, so thank you.
I like your painted calipers! They look great in red with black wheels. May I ask how you did that?
I'm thinking of using the caliper covers if I can get them to say Jaguar on them. Less work it seems.
Aloha

 

I stand corrected! It's a good day when I learn something...

 

First off, i am one of those that does not like other people working on my cars. I worked in an auto shop all though college, so i picked up a few things. This has saved be money, and provided me with a bit of enjoyment.

So, having worked in an auto shop, i have done more than my fair share of brakes.

I have always loved the look of painted calipers, and hated the look of the calipers on our XKRs. Opposite the wheels, I would never powder coat calipers. Powder coat can work as an insulator, and if you are like me and enjoy a “spirited” drive from time to time, this can be a problem with brake heat. So I do recommend using paint.

You will find Caliper specific paint at almost any auto store, they come in two types. Rattle can and Brush on. I feel the spray on turns out better, but takes a lot more work. However, If you are not comfortable, taking your brakes completely off your car, spending hours cleaning all of the little nooks and crannys just to spend 30 min painting. Then don’t go this route. You will get a great result for 2 months then they will start to chip or fade. Prep time is 90% of the work. And only use paint rated for over 500 degrees

I used a pressure washer, then bead blaster, then brake cleaner, then washed with a scratch pad… this took a full day

I have never done brush on. But I have seen results that look good. Almost as good as sprayed calipers. I am certain other forum members have done this and can chime in here. But this is a great route of go, if you are not very comfortable tearing apart your car, and putting it back together. (every bolt plays an important role)

At the current moment I am working on getting a 3M high temp replica of the “R” that was on the caliper plates. That will complete this project. Nobody seems to make them. So looks like I will be going the custom route. I have been doing some Photoshop to produce a template. But it is not coming out perfect. As the R is not exactly normal shaped. I will take pictures when 100% and post them.

Calipers Covers, this is something that I would do to an Accord, not a XK or XKR. We drive luxury performance cars. I view this in the same light as adding stickers to your car. I have heard stories from some Ebay caliper covers that melted, and had to be cleaned out. –very labor intensive. So I guess, if you did not go cheap, you do not drive your car hard. You make certain you have wheel clearance. You should be fine. I would worry a bit about brake dust buildup, as our cars are notorious for brake dust. Other than that, you should be fine.

On another note, if I could put better calipers on mine, Bear, Brembo, Willwood. I would have gone in that route. You just are not left with many options with our cars.

Best of luck to you!

Justin

 

Hi Justin
Thanks for the great write up. I have yet to decide which route to take, but your explanations will certainly aid in my decision. I am pretty good with a rattle can though! LOL
Thanks