HRE Wheels by LPC

[M3Matt]

Wanted to make a thread about my journey in refinishing my HRE 448Rs for my M3. Originally they were the brushed aluminum finish and while they looked great, I was ready for a change. After much debate, I was set on powder coating them b/c of how durable powder coating was. I also wanted to go with a darker look and finally found the perfect color for what I was looking for, ultra black chrome (close to BBS black diamond). I had deflated the tires in hopes of keeping the tires on and not breaking the seal between the inner barrel and outer lips (and was successful on 3). My brother and I disassembled the centers and then chemically stripped them. I then brought them to Martin at liquid powder coats ( www.liquidpowdercoats.com ). Not only was he local but his prices were amazing and carried the premier powder in the industry (NIC). I literally had 7000 colors to choose from (check out his website to see some). I had also come to realize that most powder coaters were not car-guys but more into the industrial services.

Very happy how everything came out & couldn’t ask for a better service as media blasting & clear coat was included in the price (did save some $$ since I chemically stripped them). Here are some pics of the experience. I will update later as we get all the wheels on and will do a proper photo shoot in a week or so. Thanks for looking.

Original color of the wheels (old pic)
http://m3matt.smugmug.com/photos/123433716_SSgC6-M.jpg

Taking the centers off
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/4162/medium/IMG_0293.jpg

centers
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/4162/medium/IMG_0295.jpg
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/4162/medium/IMG_0300.jpg

outer barrels – I was able to keep the tires on by deflating all of the air. However one of the barrels separated so I had to have the tire dismounted so that I could seal the inner barrel to the outer lip
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/4162/medium/IMG_0299.jpg

chemical stripper….nasty stuff, but gets the job done
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/4162/medium/IMG_0304.JPG
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/4162/medium/IMG_0305.JPG

all clean – bare aluminum
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/4162/medium/IMG_0306.JPG

fresh powder
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/4162/medium/IMG_0338.JPG

assembly
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/4162/medium/IMG_0334.JPG

new sealer on the barrel/lip
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/4162/medium/IMG_0342.JPG
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/4162/medium/IMG_0343.JPG

quick test fit - jack stands
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/4162/medium/IMG_0339.JPG

[TalonTsi97]

That looks almost exactly the color i have been searching for but it looks a little different then a lot other black chrome parts i have seen coated. Could you get more pics of the center's for me with a few different angles so i can see how light really makes the color look? I would really appreciate cause i having a rough time deciding on a color.
The pics named "fresh powder & assembly" are more of the color I'm looking for but in the pic named "new sealer on the barrel/lip" it's way to dark for what I'm looking for so the additional pics would be great.Thanks

O Yea, Another great job coming out of the LPC shop. Good work Martin!

[M3Matt]

ill get some more pics this week. its def. a color that changes with the light :)

[TROLL]

looks awesome...
i may be pulling apart a set of 3 piece wheels myself and was wondering if i'd be able to do it without dismounting the tires. you knew the seal broke just becuase there was play between the 2 pieces? or you tried to inflate the tire and it leaked?
does HRE include torque specs or other directions for disassembly and reassembly?

[M3Matt]

i think the seal broke b/c i didnt lay the tire flat on the ground. if you deflate the tires before you take the centers out, you should be fine (3 were fine for me). i would lay them on the ground flat & put a few clamps on them too. bolts are torqued to 25lbs, nothing major - easy on & off, just take your time :)

what type of wheels do you have?

[TROLL]

they are SSR GT3s... 18x9 and 18x10 i believe... came on my Supra but unfortunately the clearcoat on the lips is peeling and they've got quite a bit of caked on dirt. i dont know what my plan is yet but i am considering taking them apart, stripping the clear, polishing the lips till they bling, then maybe reclearing or maybe leaving them bare polished. as for the centers... not sure how bad they are but they might not need anything, or i might powdercoat them something similar to the color you went with... looks really good.

[james_ls]

That's a badass color.

[M3Matt]

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/IMG_1404_copy.jpg
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/IMG_1383_copy.jpg
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/IMG_1381_copy.jpg
http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/IMG_1360_copy.jpg

[bmatyeah]

sooo good looking martin kills it once again.