Color Choice for Sidewinder Wheels

[rcl4668]

After doing a fair amount of research, it seems that the lightest (non-carbon fiber/non-magnesium) rims in the stock 18 x 10 and 19 x 13 sizes for track day use on the 2003-2008 Vipers are the Mopar 5-spoke Sidewinder rims (same as used on ACR); they weigh in at 17.5 lbs front and 25 lbs rear. I already have a set of the Sidewinders that my dealer will install for use with the stock PS2s for street use. I plan on buying another set of Sidewinders and mounting the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups exclusively for track use.

What is the best color to custom paint these Sidewinders to detect stress cracks and other signs of metal fatigue? I will be removing and washing these track rims after each HPDE event and wanted a color that would highlight any damage or any potential stress failures. My thought was to paint them white. Anyone do something similar? (The rims will be mounted on a Viper GTS Blue car so white won't look totally heinous but aesthetics are not my main concern.)

I guess I could just buy a set of the black ACR Sidewinders but it seems that the gloss black would hide small cracks and damage.

Thanks.

/Rich

 

[Nader]

My guess would be the stock silver.

 

[SylvanSRT]

call JonB at PartsRack he may still have the "blem" finish(silver powdercoat) available and they are around $1,000 LESS than the polished "stock" version Online Shopping - Home if you check my gallery (i think last page) you can see pics of the "blem" finish

 

[JonB]

......What is the best color to custom paint these Sidewinders to detect stress cracks and other signs of metal fatigue? I will be removing and washing these track rims after each HPDE event and wanted a color that would highlight any damage or any potential stress failures. ./Rich

Shortest accurate answer: DONT ! Painting, powdercoating, and plating can conceal hairline cracks. Flex-additives in PAINT (your word above) stop the cracks you want to visualize.

Buy the polished set we have in stock; You could even strip the clearcoat. The polished set is easier to detect problems. The hub area to watch requires the wheel to be off the car to inspect.

Thanks for the referral Mike.. Like you, Rich already has a blem set from PartsRack, and he attends our CSCC track days......so we'll give him a great price on his next set! {I could end up right-seat with him next season!}

 

[Viper X]

Go polished as Jon says above.

Coatings will cover small stress cracks.

 

[rcl4668]

Shortest accurate answer: DONT ! Painting, powdercoating, and plating can conceal hairline cracks. Flex-additives in PAINT (your word above) stop the cracks you want to visualize.

Buy the polished set we have in stock; You could even strip the clearcoat. The polished set is easier to detect problems. The hub area to watch requires the wheel to be off the car to inspect.

Thanks for the referral Mike.. Like you, Rich already has a blem set from PartsRack, and he attends our CSCC track days......so we'll give him a great price on his next set! {I could end up right-seat with him next season!}

Thanks for the feedback Jon; just out of curiosity, are they still doing the "blem" Sidewinders or have they discontinued those rims?

/Rich

 

[JonB]

Technically, We had 'Copperhead Blems' .....

 

[JohnnyBravo]

Shortest accurate answer: DONT ! Painting, powdercoating, and plating can conceal hairline cracks. Flex-additives in PAINT (your word above) stop the cracks you want to visualize.

Buy the polished set we have in stock; You could even strip the clearcoat. The polished set is easier to detect problems. The hub area to watch requires the wheel to be off the car to inspect.

What do the full-polished ones go for now?

 

[rcl4668]

Technically, We had 'Copperhead Blems' .....

And are the blems no longer available? I hope not, I actually prefer the look of the silver blems I ordered from you to the regular polished rims.

/Rich

 

[rcl4668]

Jon -- got your e-mail; please disregard my last post.

/Rich