Baby Getting New Black Onyx Chrome Shoes

[viperBase1]

So we had a number of events that chipped up the black powder coat on the SWII wheels.
Mostly the Rears. Most events were known, but the worst blemishes were of unknown origin.. dunno how/when it happened.

Can't have that shyte!
We have a certain image to maintain... and thanks to Slowhatch a life style to which she has become accustomed (to).

As the story goes, we spent some time pitting with some good people at Big Willow in early October.
Turned out Dale has a bro in my home town that owns a Wheel n Tire shop. Cruised by the shop one weekend and learned he could fix the powder coat no prob..
But also learned about the Black Onyx Chrome treatment they'd been perfecting. I was sold.

So documenting the whole experience in this thread.

Here's what the Black Onyx Chrome looks like (this is the goal):

blackOnyxChrome_small.jpg

Baby Doll goes up on stilts for a spell (maybe ~10 days). Notice the matching jack stands and brake calipers. Gotta maintain that image!
stiltsDriverSide.jpgstiltsPassSide.jpg

Amazingly, all the wheels fit just fine in the back of the Prius.
inPrius.jpg

Wheels delivered to the shop.
atSDMotoring.jpg
The wheels will be sandblasted to remove all of the powder coat.. any and all imperfections in the metal will be fixed (apparently their guy is an artist in this regard).
Then the Black Onyx Chrome PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) will be done.

In the mean time, I intend to do the E-Brake maintenance/service (replacement pads came with the car), maybe change the clutch fluid (again) and scrub the crap out of the wheel wells.. swap in these new tail lights that came with the car. Hmmm.. maybe more.. dunno. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

More to follow.

[Steve M]

While you are doing the e-brake, you should go ahead and swap the relocation brackets side-to-side. They are currently on the wrong side.

PVD chrome is a nice finish...not show quality on large, flat surfaces like my 5-spokes (won't be an issue with SWIIs), but it is pretty durable, and SUPER easy to clean.

[viperBase1]

While you are doing the e-brake, you should go ahead and swap the relocation brackets side-to-side. They are currently on the wrong side.

You mean side-to-side front of disc versus rear of disc or drivers side v.s. passenger side?

PVD chrome is a nice finish...not show quality on large, flat surfaces like my 5-spokes (won't be an issue with SWIIs), but it is pretty durable, and SUPER easy to clean.

Yea I'm gonna dig the easy to clean part.

[Steve M]

Swap the driver's side bracket to the passenger side, and vice versa.

For reference, because for some reason I remember things like this:

The lightweight forged 18s and drag radials I had initially acquired for these passes ended up not fitting so I had to scramble the night before and get a replacement set. The 19in chrome 10 spokes I got my hands on are literally the heaviest viper wheel available, so they didn't do me any favors on rotating mass. To add to that, the ACR suspension might as well be replaced with a piece of concrete, because at the current springs rates, it'd transfer weight just as well.

I have the relocation brackets but they were still contacting the barrel. Also, both caliper bolts were making contact on the barrel. I started to grind both bolts but it was slow going without proper tools, and I just got fed up and abandoned it. Someone told me I may need to flip the e-brake relocation kit around? Either way, I wanted to watch the Texans game (wish I didn't), so I didn't feel like messing with it.

The brackets are to clear an 18" wheel, and they do that by pulling the cable inboard toward the axle centerline. Since you aren't running 18" wheels, it really doesn't matter, but since you are already taking them off to inspect/swap the pads, you might as well just take care of it.

[BrianACR]

Those wheels are gonna look awesome! Can't wait to see the finished product

[viperBase1]

Swap the driver's side bracket to the passenger side, and vice versa.
..but since you are already taking them off to inspect/swap the pads, you might as well just take care of it.

Cool thanks. I'll make it so.

[Rocket]

Was there a big difference between the Black Chrome and the Black Onyx Chrome?

[viperBase1]

Was there a big difference between the Black Chrome and the Black Onyx Chrome?

Maybe this'll help.

Side by side - Black Chrome v.s. Black Onyx Chrome
blackChrome_small.jpg blackOnyxChrome_small.jpg

The phone cam kinda captures the diff.. The Black Chrome has more of a shiny smokey grey / chrome'ish color.
The shop owner Don has 'em on his Lexus and in the sunlight you really see the chromey-ness of 'em. What's cool is it changes with the light and angle.

The Black Onyx Chrome was a no brainer for us.. cuz of our Orange & Black theme.

I'm getting real excited about how the wheels are gonna look!

Gonna need another set of wheels for the Track (early 2018)!

[Stealth78]

How are the Invos at that gear ratio / power level? What happened to the R888's?

[Whiskey]

IMHOP. The Nitto Invo is hands down the best street tire for the Viper. They ride smooth, easily hook 750rwhp, handle FL down pour rain like a champ and most important the car DOES NOT WANDER. It drives "normal".

[viperBase1]

How are the Invos at that gear ratio / power level? What happened to the R888's?

The Invo's are great for the street. Going straight they Hook-Up. In the turns there's a little bit of tread wiggle but then Grip. Predictable.
Took 'em to the track for a weekend and they did good, but I wouldn't want to track 'em again. I plan to Auto-Cross 'em though.

Even though those original Toyo's had a bit of tread left on 'em, they were old and crusty. They had ~10K+ miles on 'em.. which is a lot for Toyo's in SoCal.
They hooked-up everywhere/all the time, so real glad I got to drive 'em. But was getting dangerous tram-lining all over the road and they were LOUD.
Would like to experience driving a brand new set. Gotta have 'em for the track .

IMHOP. The Nitto Invo is hands down the best street tire for the Viper. They ride smooth, easily hook 750rwhp, handle FL down pour rain like a champ and most important the car DOES NOT WANDER. It drives "normal".

+1
I can also add,

• They're very quite.. so you can hear your engine and that sweet exhaust even better.
• Availability. Can get 'em at Discount Tire. At the time, Invo's were the only brand new tires I could find in a complete set.
  But careful, this was an event where the powder coat on one of the SWII's got F'd up a bit (no big as they covered the cost).
  N' any issue's, got the Discount Tire guarantee.
• They have a very pronounced Rim Guard to help protect the wheel. (which the R888's/R888r's don't have)

Saturday morning - it's usually Viper Time! Not today. Gonna get busy on those EBrakes and more pampering.

I expect to get the wheels back by the end of next week.. coated in a super bitchin' Black Onyx Chrome

[viperBase1]

Was told the wheels will be ready today.

[viperBase1]

Got the wheels on the car yesterday afternoon. They're gorgeous.

She's already a sexy-time player and this up'd her a game just a little bit. We're very pleased with the results.

Baby needs a bath and then I'll get some good pics posted ASAP.

See how she is? Such a little tease.

[viperBase1]

BOOM!! In yer face!
Trying to demo how the wheels change with the light and the angle. They're big time sexy.
I really dig how they flow with the SHINE of the rest of the car. Like they're trying to "out shine" one another.

OH MAN Oh Man!!
rs5_small.jpg

rs1_small.jpg

ls3_small.jpg

ls4_small.jpg

[viperBase1]

rf4_small.jpg

lf1_small.png

lr2_small.jpg

gp28_small.jpg

This concludes my small contribution to Viper Porn.

[99RT10]

Those look fantastic!!!!

[outnumbered]

Very nice indeed!

[Trauma75]

Dude those look great I'm glad they turned out so well.

[outnumbered]

As the owner of a Carbon Edition with the stock Vapor wheels, I'm sure you know you need to be very careful with cleaning those. I also had 2 sets of Perma Star coated wheels on my SRT10 Ram. They are very durable, but fine scratches will drive you crazy. If you haven't already, I would definitely CQuartz them so that you have to touch them very little.

[viperBase1]

Hey thanks guys.

Yea, Don at the shop said to use either a nano-wax or a ceramic like CQuartz.
Definitely going to take that next step.

[Red Dog]

Yes those black onyx chrome PVD wheels look fantastic. I have two sets of wheels that I'd like to talk to your guy Don about having refinished. Can you e-mail me his contact information please?? RedDogNumber1@aol.com

THANKS and Merry Christmas,
Bob Davis

[viperBase1]

Yes those black onyx chrome PVD wheels look fantastic. I have two sets of wheels that I'd like to talk to your guy Don about having refinished. Can you e-mail me his contact information please?? RedDogNumber1@aol.com

THANKS and Merry Christmas,
Bob Davis

Done.

Merry Christmas, RUNS WITH BEER!

[slowhatch]

Man those came out amazing!! So happy to see the ol' girl still struttin her stuff.

[Red venom]

How are the black onyx chrome wheels holding up?
Thinking about doing my h spokes in that color.
The onyx is slightly darker than the regular black chrome?

[viperBase1]

How are the black onyx chrome wheels holding up?
Thinking about doing my h spokes in that color.
The onyx is slightly darker than the regular black chrome?

They're holding up awesome. Seems to be more of a hardened coating compared to a powder coat.
They clean up easier than the powder coat too.

Yep, the Onyx is darker than the regular black chrome.
The regular black chrome will flash more chrome in the light.
Both are awesome.