AC Schnitzer Rims

Guest · Tue Feb 22, 2005 3:44 am

G'day everyone. I've just purchased a set of 2nd hand AC Schnitzer rims. They look as though the previous owner has sprayed them a gun metal grey colour. I'd like to have them stripped back and re painted a nice factory silver colour.

What is your advice?

Either have them stripped and then primed, re painted in 2 pack spray and clear coated or have them stripped and powder coated silver?

What do you think and what benefits do either option have over the other?

Tue Feb 22, 2005 4:54 am

I got a similar set that were quite tired so i took them down to a electrolite plateing shop where they could really do anything from silver coat, powder coat, or paint them to simply polishing them. Heres what i went for.

mr lee

Tue Feb 22, 2005 8:46 am

Just to mention, powder coating would at least replicate the original finish and durability as most wheel manufacturers use this process.
Oh and also remember - if you have a polished lip be prepared for the extra detailing every wash day, otherwise the ali will start to oxidize.

Hey - what the heck - they look good.

Guest · Tue Feb 22, 2005 9:35 am

Mmm. those silver ones look nice. Were these powder coated? The black ones look really good on the black cab too.
I'd like mine to look like the silver ones. My rims don't have a polished lip so i'd get them done all silver, less maintenance. I'm dying to get them on and replace the stock 14"s.
Nice photos!
Thanks for your advice guys...

Guest · Tue Feb 22, 2005 9:40 am

you could always get them diamond cut - although after seeing lee's wheels...you've got a difficult, but very nice decision to take!!!

I guess it depends really on the style you are after...any pictures of your car - that might help sway opinions!!!

Tue Feb 22, 2005 10:05 am

Mine are mirror polished and they are bloody hard work. Especially if your car isnt garaged. Cause mine sits outside, everytime it rains i get water sitting in them and they are starting to get ruined already. Even when i polish them now, you can still make out little water spots, so they will be going off to get repolished when the sun comes out again, so be prepared to look after whichever ones you decide to go got.

Guest · Tue Feb 22, 2005 10:26 am

Thanks fellas. I have plenty of digital pics of my car but Im not sure on how to post a pic nor if I am able to. The FAQ section mentions something about only being able to post direct links to website images?
Thanks for your ideas.
I'd have to buy a car cover for your machine Bootyman to at least protect from the sun and rain if not garaged.
Looking forward to seeing your car in an upcoming issue of PBMW magazine. Here in Australia we are only just receiving the November '04 edition in our bookstands...

Tue Feb 22, 2005 10:36 am

The silver shnitzers are the before picture, a tip though make sure if you spray them to make the guy take the centre caps out otherwise when you come to fit the tyres and take the centre caps out it chips the paint. The aluminium rim does take a lot of work to keep looking good, i use a fine polishing paste and a drill with a softish polishing wheel! takes around 5 mins a wheel, although bootymans would take consiuderably longer, PHAT!

. Dont be temped to lacqure them after polishing thinking it is a short cut, it isnt the lacqure chips and it will tarnish underneath (i know)

mr lee

Tue Feb 22, 2005 12:00 pm

Hi mrlee30 , I've always loved those schnitzer wheels , my car has the Schnitzer steering wheel, gearknob(black leather type), and footrest (again the old school black one not the alloy type .I have a spare set of 16inch M3 BBS and was wondering whether I should see if anyone wanted to swap them for some schnitzer replicas and paint them like yours .
Steve .

Tue Feb 22, 2005 7:22 pm

schnitzer wheels are RARE alot more so than the scarce alpina's and hartge's. I've only seen one set in real life and i have a self confessed wheel fetish

Tue Feb 22, 2005 9:16 pm

I must say this is one of the nicest wheels I've seen!!! Black with polished rim... hmmmmm!!

Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:01 am

must confess they do look the mutz nuts but alas not my idea but a mates who had to convince me but once finished they look real good! also if anyone remembers a guy called Adam something who had a white US cab in PBMW about a year ago, he had the M5 rims in a similar colour and that made my mind up!!

mr lee

Wed Feb 23, 2005 8:36 am

Adelaide - i think the Schnitzer rims were originally available in all silver, gunmetal spokes and silver rim or black spokes and silver rim. It's possible that your wheels are factory finished.

I went for a similar style to Mr Lee on my BBS' altho i did have the rim painted rather than polished so it's more durable. As long as you've got the right colour car the black and silver looks stunning.

Guest · Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:55 am

Yeah thanks CaesarBob. The gunmetal colour does look pretty good but just in need of some TLC therefore I thought I might as well go for a complete bead blast and powder coat colour change...

Wed Feb 23, 2005 1:04 pm

If the rims need some tlc, it would be rude not to change the colour at the same time.

I'm sure they'll look :bling:

either way.