Painted or Chrome Wires?

harryetype · Post by **harryetype** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:16 am

Painted Wires or Chrome?

A discussion that often comes up between myself and Mark my righthand man.

We both like the certain look and charm that painted Wires gives an E-type in both standard size and the wider triple lace style. however we often fit Chrome as this seems to be more popular with most people especially potential customers.

I thought I would get the view of the real E-type enthusiast's all of you chaps.

You can see a S1 on my home page fitted with painted triple laced.

MarkE · Post by **MarkE** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:13 am

For me it depends on the colour of the car and the model. The easy one first?I don?t think that any wire wheels suit the S3 as it has enough glitz to start with.

An S1 / S2 in red looks just right with painted wheels, which tones down and balances the overall look. A neutral colour, such as Primrose, is lifted with chrome wheels. Everything in-between is more difficult?.they both look good! I guess the more shinny the paint, the more I?d tend towards painted wheels.

Post by **Heuer** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 9:21 am

Agree with Mark - painted wheels look great on a red car. Personally I think chrome wires are a must on the Opalescent colours but the painted wires suit the solid colours better. Seems like an easy rule - metallics = chrome, solid = painted.

GSR 54D · Post by **GSR 54D** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 5:20 pm

Having pondered for sometime I opted for stainless steel spokes which do look closer to chrome than painted but they are somewhat toned down with less sparkle.
Maybe biased but a sort of compromise which I'm totally happy with.

John H

harryetype · Post by **harryetype** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 8:10 am

The car I have in mind is Gunmetal, my brother reckons painted but I'm on the the fence and sort of go with Mark and David.

Post by **1954Etype** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 2:47 pm

harryetype wrote:The car I have in mind is Gunmetal, my brother reckons painted but I'm on the the fence and sort of go with Mark and David.

I think the painted wheel is a better wheel (didn't I read somewhere that the chroming process can weaken the metail?). From a pure aesthetic point of view, I like the painted wheels but happen to agree that the metallic colours are set off best with chrome.

marsh · Post by **marsh** » Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:31 pm

I'd personally go for painted wheels on earlier (S1 and S2) cars, although there are instances (on BRG and dark Blue cars for instance), where body coloured wheels look absolutely stunning.

Many restored cars have lost their period feel with the addition of chromed and sometimes wider wheels, which isn't a look that I like. Some beautifully restored cars can look overly gilded with the wrong wheel and tyre combination.

On S3 cars, such as mine, I favour steel pressed wheels, rather than wires, but of course, that's just a personal opinion and owners of cars should do what they feel is right and ignore curmudgeons such as me!

Although, there's something very 'right' about a 3.8 on narrow cross plies, with painted wires...

Lee

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 1:19 pm

A well timed posting as I was just weighing up whether to switch my opalescent maroon S1 from chrome to the original grey painted wheels. Appearance wise the chromes look nicer, but maintenance wise I favour painted.

Nick

harryetype · Post by **harryetype** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:02 pm

I think your car would look great on painted wires and would ad to the original feel that car has.

If I get set for the Green 3.8 we have I could try them on your car so you can decide.

falcon3 · Post by **falcon3** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 6:48 pm

I seem to recall that MWS suggested much better resistance to salt from painted wheels than chrome or stainless. So maybe how you use the car in the winter should also be a factor.

My car was delivered new with standard width painted wire wheels so that is what it runs today.

vipergts · Post by **vipergts** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:50 pm

Pleased to say there is a lot of sense here on this subject.....It just goes to show what a thoroughly decent and educated bunch of chaps you are. 8)

Very much depends on colour.

V12 I would agree.......Chrome dished wheels, no wires.

S1 ...the darker the colour the more it leans towards painted. It already gains contrast between paint and chrome bumpers and trim etc. A light coloured car needs lifting.

MarkE · Post by **MarkE** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:55 pm

Damn!!!!

falcon3 · Post by **falcon3** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 11:46 pm

Sorry Mark, I'm with the "solid colours and painted wheels" brigade

just like Jenks ordered!

MarkE · Post by **MarkE** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:03 am

I think that I'll have to get my original set blasted and painted and see what it looks like then. I've always thought that painted wires suite a red car, and yours looks just right.

I could just not wash my wires for a while!!

vipergts · Post by **vipergts** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:24 pm

MarkE wrote:Damn!!!!

Mmmmm Damn!!

Does look good, might have blown my theory.

I'm getting kinda desperate for one of these early cars now, but I'd really use it.

harryetype · Post by **harryetype** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:31 pm

Car looks lovely Mark, but painted triple lace would look outstanding.

If ever your down South pop in and try a set for looks.

MarkE · Post by **MarkE** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:34 pm

The Coupe is fully seam sealed and undersealed with 3 gallons of Dynotrol in the cavities. It's going to be used...no excuses!

harryetype · Post by **harryetype** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 1:33 pm

I look forward to seeing you then.

Aldeburgh · Post by **Aldeburgh** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:27 pm

...well personally I go for the full bling fandango....

harryetype · Post by **harryetype** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:11 am

I agree with full Bling on a Silver car especially a V12

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Painted or Chrome Wires?

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