May want to apply multiple clear coats; that is what really brings out the depth of the paint job. I did 3 myself.

 

Actually misread the explanation about the finish on AP2V1s. I'll just do some light sanding to give it a nice smooth finish and then clear coat them to get a nice gloss black. Thanks for the help everyone!

 

I am in the same situation as the original poster. I brought some AP2v1 rims that were painted white and i am in the process of stiping them with air craft stripper. I havent brought the paint to paint them. Are the rims painted a silver color if so does anyone know a color that is close to factory, or are they just cleared?

 

According to RLT's post above, the entire wheel is painted and then the face is diamond turned to expose the metal.

 

I still am unsure about the term "diamond cut" but the OEM wheels (and just about every OEM wheel that looks like silver metal) is actually painted. My MDX wheels are the same color and luster as the S2000 wheels.

The Dupli color silver looks identical to the OEM paint for the 2008-2009 wheels. Have not really compared it to other wheels. That is part of the reason I used the groove inside of the wheel just inside the spokes as the dividing line from original paint and my redo. I taped along that groove to only paint the visible surface. With all the dirt and brake dust that accumulates, you just cannot see any difference. It looks uniform.

 

Please compare an AP2V1 wheel with an AP2V3 wheel and the difference will become obvious. The face of AP2V1 wheel is machined (diamond cut). When you look closely you can see the minute machining marks.

 

FWIW, I hadn't heard of diamond cutting until I saw that Wheeler Dealers episode on the S2000 (https://youtu.be/BIEzFz2CPKw). There's a pretty good explanation on wheel refurbishing using diamond cutting starting at about the 20:40 mark.

 

yeah the ap2v1 rims have a machined face. I am going to try a light sand after i remove all the old paint to get everything smooth and polish the face of the rim. I will then paint the inside of the spokes.. Hell i might just plastidip them after i get everything smooth.