What color should I paint my rims?

[DftMachine]

Yesterday, I helped my friend paint the rims on his mx5 and made me want to do the same with mine.
Unfortunately, I have 15" steelies with the rim cover and don't have the cash to buy new rims. There is quite a bit of curb rash on them so I have to fix them up first and then paint them. So, what color should I paint them?

Car is 05 LE Silver

[a_tov29]

just leave them black unless u thinking of getting some diamond racing steelies

[DftMachine]

Just to clarify, I was going to paint the cover that goes on the steelies but I like the sound of diamond racing wheels

[a_tov29]

during my search to see if i could find any 5 lug Diamond steelies i found this pic and damn are they sweeeet looking i think theyre 17's does anyone know if theyd work on our cars

[Yuko]

On a silver car, I would say a light gunmetal grey would look nice.

But whatever color you decided, don't cheap out on the paint. I painted my grandmother 02 Camry wheel covers years ago with cheap primer, silver paint, and clear coat at walmart. After a week; it turned yellow and flaked. (it was later replaced with chrome alloys) Also, clean the wheel covers very well. Even a spot of wax or tar can ruin the paint.

I think it would be neat to paint the steel wheel silver and toss on trim rings and chrome lug nuts...but it might look truck-ish.

[DftMachine]

Yuko, thanks for the heads up. Do you know i'd if the paint from advanced auto parts, duplicolor I think it's called, is any good? That's what my friend and I used for his car. We used gunmetal and it came out pretty nice.
I was thinking either black or gunmetal. Chrome would look cheap imo. Never thought about painting the actual steelies before

[Yuko]

I have used duplicolor Wheel Coating (VHT is similar) to repaint one of my damage alloy. The silver is a bit darker compare to the OEM finish. They are pretty good stuff and haven't turned yellow. Some say the clear is optional but I used it with good result. Be sure to sand the wheel covers lightly for the paint to adhere better. Don’t rush between coats and allow it to dry for a day for two. After it fully dries, you can use a bit of rubbing compound to smooth any rough surface and add a coat of wax.

I tried chrome paint before but it was a failure as it came out as foggy dull silver. Another option is simply go to Walmart or Pepboys and buy a set of wheel covers. There are many style to pick from (some are gunmetal or black with fake chrome lugs) but you lose the originality.

[Robert1820]

Painting curb rashed plastic wheel covers may well result in a rough look. Consider instead a new set from Walmart or Pep Boys. For $20 or so, these are surprisingly good quality and look very good. Painting the steel rims a nice medium gloss black will spiff up the looks.

[scoop713]

I would just save and get a nice set of rims.