G35 Wheel Repair / Repaint

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by Brad (VQ)
vq@6mt.net

Description
What's every G owner's worst fear... wheel damage. I've been lucky enough to run into this TWICE! Once a moment of indiscretion led to my G being taken through a car wash, one time was all it took! I had the rear drivers' side wheel refinished and repainted at a cost of $130. This was covered by the car wash, and I was very impressed by their response to this situation.

Next, I damaged the front passenger wheel on a curb, and got some NASTY curb damage. I had this wheel rim repaired by the same place, and had them move that rim over to the driver side so that both repainted wheels were on the same side. That cost too, was refunded! This time, the wheel repair company damaged (chipped) a Brembo, and when I complained, they comped the service. Which I was happy with. So, 2 repainted rims for free, not bad, but the car will still never be the same.

The G's 18" wheels are VERY difficult to get painted. The main issue is the lead-based paint used overseas. Wheel repair facilities here in the "States" cannot use lead-based paint, so the paint match will not be perfect. I've noticed that the repainted rims are not as shiny. However, the color is very close, only slightly darker. While this isn't really an install guide, it is a guide on what can happen, and what might happen to all of us! There is life after wheel damage, and it doesn't involve spending over $800 for a new rim. I've included some pictures of my trek into the world of wheel repainting.

When I was a Kid, Car Washes Were Fun!
Well, not anymore! Stay away from them. I took my G through a car wash in a posh area, and was behind a Bentley and Mercedes S500. You'd think I'd be safe... no way! While exiting the car wash, I felt a slight jerk and didn't even think anything of it. Got home and realized the rear drivers' side wheel was scratched and chipped.

I took it back to the manager of the car wash (Duke's Fire Hose Safety Wash), and he quickly agreed the damage was their responsibility and sent me on my way to get a quote! After a few recommendations from dealers and detailers, I had the wheel refinished by Sport Car Tires in Wilmington, DE. They did a fantastic job, but chipped my Brembo caliper in the process. In all, they're a great place to send your wheel to for repair (they had hundreds of wheels waiting to be shipped out (I peaked in their store room), including new M3 rims and even some exotics), but didn't have the best tire mounting guys in the garage!

Here is my car with one repainted rim. You will notice the rear wheel is just not quite as shiny.

Another angle. I actually like the way the rim looks better, but it is noticable with the factory rim up front.

Here is the chip on my rear Brembo. I have heard that Honda Inca Pearl, paint code Y-61P, part number 08703-Y61PPAH is a dead-on match for the Brembo gold. Brembo does not offer touch up paint, so I may give this a try.

That Curb Wasn't There When I Started Parking!
This is the one that just killed me. Pulled into a spot and wammo! I was at such a shallow angle too, that I had to scrape it as I pulled forward to get off the curb too. Man did I do some damage.

Yikes!

This rim was repaired by the same shop in Wilmington, and they did it for free for chipping my Brembo caliper on the first repair a few weeks earlier. Great guys, and they took care of their mistake.

In conclusion, the best thing to do, is take the wheel to a recommended shop. Call your dealer, I guarantee they've had a few of these repainted already. They should be able to point you to a shop that has the capability to match the lead-based paint on these wheels. Also, who ever takes the wheel off must be careful with the sockets. These wheels have very deep sockets without much clearance around the lug nut. In impact wrench may scratch the walls.

If you have any further questions, ask away in our Coupe or Sedan Forums.

Brad