Diamond-cut stock wheels - advice please

spit · September 12, 2006, 09:46

OK, so I fitted the D-cut rear 16s last week and they don't look much different to the stock painted fronts except when they catch direct sunlight.

However,I like the idea of having a diamond cut face on the wheel and I've found a firm who do the whole dip/strip/paint'n'cut at a keen price. So I figure if they need re-doing soon then why not. (I can get 'em done while I struggle with the suspension upgrade!).

So the question is, what should I go for as the base colour? Anthracite was mentioned at the weekend. Anything else you style gurus would consider nice?

(PS If anyone says "pink to match your calipers, they get no Christmas Card from me this year s:wink: :wink: s:wink: s:cry: :cry: s:cry: )

Anonymous · September 12, 2006, 10:33

Looks very nice, but what exactly is diamond cutting?

spit · September 12, 2006, 10:40

Quote from: "simonp"Looks very nice, but what exactly is diamond cutting?

The wheels are painted or powder coated & lacquered and then the face is lathed off to give a kind of shiny CD-reflective effect on the rim lip, down the face of the spokes and in the wheel nut recess to the hub-cap.

If you look closely at the rear wheel in the pic you'll see the difference between paint and d-cut. Trouble is its not that distinctive. So on our wheels I'm thinking that it'd look great with a contrasting colour on the spoke edges and inset parts of the rim but I dunno what colour.

And yes, it'll mean getting more keen with polishing, but there are some appropriate wax treatments out there that can protect the cut surface.

I like 'em .... I think s:? :? s:?

Two's Company · September 12, 2006, 11:46

Ste, I can't really see the polished bit on the pictures.

If you decide you like them then I have a number of products to help keep them clean s:oops: :oops: s:oops:

spit · September 12, 2006, 18:50

Yep its hard to tell what I'm getting at when they're on the car. Head-on and side-on views will give you a better idea though.....(apologies that they're not shiny clean in these pics)

.... what I'm after is a contrast between face (d-cut) and the inset parts (painted). The firm have suggested 3PO Red but I'm a bit worried about the colour match being off. So, unless anyone has any inspired thoughts it'll probably be anthracite or something a bit metallic and blingy.

Come on style gurus, where are you? Feel free to chip in and/or flame s:flame: :flame: s:flame:

heathstimpson · September 12, 2006, 19:42

I like the idea and think a more substantial contrast would work better s8)

s8)

roger · September 12, 2006, 19:46

I'm no style guru - ask my family and look at the avatar, but I feel what you have now is the best bet.

If you go darker on the insides it just gets lost in the shadows (unless you fancy a really bright red, or whatever, which I don't).

northernalex · September 12, 2006, 20:01

id put some white in there and the diamond ? s:)

s:)

Red and white always goes

(unless you're sunderland or old enough to remeber the 1st world war)

heathstimpson · September 12, 2006, 20:04

Do you think black with polished spokes would work on a silver 2 s:?: :?: s:?:

northernalex · September 12, 2006, 20:05

id say yes to that - black with polished spokes.

heathstimpson · September 12, 2006, 20:08

Quote from: "northernalex"id say yes to that - black with polished spokes.

When they start to go that might be an option; good on you Ste s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

spit · September 13, 2006, 22:58

A very poor artist's impression of red insets (yes, I know the front wheel is back to front!!)

cheesy or OK? s:? :? s:?

Gazz · September 13, 2006, 23:29

Chav s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Anonymous · September 13, 2006, 23:30

Please don't do that to your car, Ste. s:(

s:(

I'd stick with the plain ol' diamond cut option.

spit · September 14, 2006, 07:22

s:lol: :lol: s:lol: Yep that was my immediate reaction too. Its a bit cringe. I guess the firm is used to catering for a slightly different customer s:wink: :wink: s:wink: .

So I guess its either a standard refinish or a slatey (should that be slacey?!)/anthracite inset which I haven't quite sussed out how to mimic on photoshop yet s:oops: :oops: s:oops:

Anonymous · September 14, 2006, 07:26

I really like them as they are...nice and subtle. s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

celmacmat · September 14, 2006, 10:16

I know it is going to sound weird, but I like both s:? :? s:?

I will say go with your gut feeling s:!: :!: s:!:

Two's Company · September 14, 2006, 10:27

Ste, looking at these again the diamond cut looks fairly scratched.

I'm not sure how easy it will be the keep the finish looking good once they have been redone? s:? :? s:?

Wabbitkilla · September 14, 2006, 11:48

It was my suggestion for the anthracite. s:oops: :oops: s:oops:

Personally i don't like the diamond cut idea, especially the high maintenance required. I had a Kwak Zephyr with anthracite within the spokes and polished / diamond cut rims & spoke sides. They were a real bu%%%r to keep from corroding!

What about a viagated metallic lustre going from light to dark to highlight the spokes?

I nearly suggested the pink, but will hold back because i like you s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Definitely not the red you show above, sometimes less is actually more!

northernalex · September 14, 2006, 14:00

i really like the red to be honest (on your diamond cuts) sorry everyone s:)

s:)

Wabbitkilla · September 14, 2006, 14:09

Linky

s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted: s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Linky

Anonymous · September 14, 2006, 14:16

s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Let's all chip in a few quid and buy them for him! s:D

s:D

Wabbitkilla · September 14, 2006, 14:39

See with anthracite and diamond cutting you get this affect;

or

which is quite unusual!

All of which i'm not sure would work with our wheels!
You've got me thinking about doing something like this now s:? :? s:?

spit · September 14, 2006, 15:17

Quote from: "Wabbitkilla"Linky

s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted: s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Linky

You evil evil man s:roll: :roll: s:roll:

I'm staying open-minded about this, but until I got hold of the d-cut rears from EBay I hadn't really considered it as an option at all. I guess we won't fully appreciate whether or not it looks good in slate or a.n.other colour on stockers until someone tries it.

Plan for the moment I think is to s*d it and put the 15 rears on the front with new boots to get some steering back ( s:shock: :shock: s:shock: ). I'm cool with running odd front and rears for the sake of some grip!! Maybe revisit it once I've a better idea of just how much maintenance these d-cuts actually need.

celmacmat · September 14, 2006, 16:16

Quote from: "Wabbitkilla"Linky

s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted: s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

Linky

s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol: s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

That is brilliant, all you need next is the following and you are all set!