I looked at the wheels from my buddy last weekend, and they definitely need reconditioning. They are 1995 8 hole wheels, and they appear to be polished alloy with a clear coat over them. In some ways they look like they might be painted, but I can see the CNC marks (mill) marks on the alloy pretty clearly, and you'd think if they were painted, it would cover those marks up.

He gave me a few places to call, and the quotes came back pretty high - $175 - $190 each to strip, polish, and clear coat. I can also chrome them for $140 each, but I'm not crazy about the chrome look with the 8 hole rims.

I took them to my auto body shop who painted my G20 (black), and my Nissan Quest (dark metallic blue). He's a mid-range to high-end shop, and does a lot of show cars, collector cars, Mercedes, BMW's, and also run of the mill work for insurance companies. He even does frame work. Anyway, he's done wheels many times before, and since I'm a repeat customer, he said he'd do them for $35.00 per wheel to strip and paint silver then clear-coat.

The polish look might look better, but at only $35.00 per wheel to paint, it is too cheap to pass up. Besides, If the post earlier was correct, 1995 was the only year that wasn't painted anyway.

Any comments from those who've done this before?

Anybody think I'm crazy for painting over these polished wheels?

Thanks in advance.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".