I really want to paint my stock wheels black. i saw a pic of an sti with'm black and it looked sick. i've also got the cf hood and trunk so i think they will look good together. I want to do'm flat black and i'm probobly gunna end up painting my calipers candy apple red:yumyum:. Is there a shop around here that anodizes( i think thats what you call it) or can paint them professionally so they dont chip or do any of you know how to do it? thanks
anodizing is actually an etching process - it isn't paint. it's basically "corrodes" the metals surface and lays down the new color powder coating would be what you're thinking of (a painting-baking process) you can do it yourself and it'll be ok my old accord with the winter rims (painted stockers) my STi with winter rims (painted bronze) i have not had any chipping problems with self painted wheels. do it right and they are very durable (clean them thoroughly, scuff entire wheel, lay down primer, paint, clear)
Readymixx does rim painting if you don't want to attempt it yourself. But a little elbow grease and some patience and you could do it yourself.
Here's a few pics from when I painted my wheels. I used steel wool to scuff since I had to remove a layer of old paint. But I put on two coats of primer and three coats of enamel. No clear coat since I was running out of time. But so far they've held up well, no chips from the ice race. http://www.mnsubaru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14077
