D MENAC 7

What, you used a screw driver? I just pushed with my finger from the rear and it popped right out. After I painted my stock ones Velocity Red Mica leaving the Flying M chrome, I just popped them back in, the same as you. As you said, why bother removing the retainer clip, it doesn't really matter.

crumpmd

WHat he said^^^^^^^^^^
Except I painted mine Nordic Green. Get a load of this!

Pam

That looks great crumpmd!
I have a Nordic Green as well and just got in strakes, the rotary caps and lighted shift ***. Wish I had thought of painting the stock caps. How did you do it?
Pam

D MENAC 7

Basically the wheel caps pop out from pushing from thhe other side so you have to take off each wheel to do it. Once out, you can put your wheel back on as they just pop back in when you are through. As far as painting goes, it is your standard mask the entire surface of the wheel cap, use a craft knife to carefully cut around the Mazda flying M logo, remove the maskinng tape where the paint will be applied, then paint. I have done these for myself and others two different ways and have used primer and not used primer and had the same results. Since the wheels already have paint (silver) in the area to be painted there is really no need for primer. Matching the color is sometimes difficult unless you buy some custom paint from somewhere that can match the paint code of your RX-8. I purchased my paint for my Velocity Red from a place named Paintscratch.com.

truemagellen

anyone put the RX-8 caps or Painted their caps on a sunlight silver??? if so pics please...otherwise I'll try to photoshop it (there is a huge storm outside so no pics today

D MENAC 7

As far as painting the caps for the sunlight silver, if you're suggesting painting them Sunlight Silver, they already are or at least so close I do not think you could tell them apart if you did paint them the stock color. The painted part of the stock RX8 wheel cap is painted Silver. I know from ordering them for other members whom I have painted these for, there are two wheel caps available in the Flying M Mazda logo style. One is entirely chrome, they cannot be painted, the paint will not stick no matter what I tried. The stock ones that are on our RX-8s are painted. For those who want to know so they can buy a set from Rosenthal around $28 or so, the part number is: GJ6G-37-192. These are exactly like the ones on our cars. If you want total chrome caps with the Flying M logo, call them and ask for a different number, Tommy will be able to find it. I found this out by accident when I ordered some from Trussville, I got the all chrome ones.

mysql101

I wanted to buy these center caps, but the price is far too high for what you get. If they were about $60 for a set, I might consider it.

BTW, I just use the blunt end of a screwdriver to pop my caps out. I didn't even know there was any wire inside.

D MENAC 7

Exactly, there is no need to remove the retaining clip what so ever, I just used my middle finger and out it popped.

truemagellen

I'd like to paint my center caps black leaving the chrome shining through...what kind of paint should I use...anyone DIY this? thanks

D MENAC 7

Just about any automotive spray paint would be good to use for this. After the black is on, then paint them again with clear cloat. Give them 3 coats of clear coat and let it dry for 24 hours after the last coat. Then get some very fine 1200 grit or better wet/dry sand paper and carefully sand the painted area only. Use the sand paper wet. After the sand paper, use a rubbing compound such as 3M professional. This will make them as smooth as glass. After the rubbing compound, wax them.

mysql101

where can you get clear coat?

D MENAC 7

Any automotive store that sells spray paint. Or anywhere that sells automotive paint, even Walmart. And, Jason, you also need to get some gun metal to match those rims. Very nice looking, I might ad. :D

Homeka45

Nice post w/ great pictures msrecant, thanks for your time and input.

msrecant

Thanks for the kind words. However, not a real popular thread. I suspect people are either happy with the stock wheel centers or would rather put the money towards different rims.

RX8MAN04

i like these

msrecant

Very cool with the chrome wheels!

Vertigo-1

iTrader: (3)

Man I was under the impression you could get at the caps without taking off the tires. I wanted to get those rotary caps but I'm definitely not messing with my tires...I'm just not mechanically inclined.

msrecant

Yes, whether you take the clips off or not, you still need to press on the back of the cap to remove it, which requires that the tire be dismounted. Note that I mean the whole wheel (tire and rim) being dismounted from the car and not the tire being removed from the rim.

If you prefer not to do this yourself, then simply buy the caps and have the dealer switch them the next time you have the brakes inspected or the tires rotated. It should not add more than 5 minutes to any service where you already pay the technician to dismount the tires. Just check with the service writer and he can tell you if the tires are coming off anyway, if they are then hand him the bag of caps.

Matrx8

iTrader: (2)

I know I'm 7 years too late, but you can indeed take your wheel caps off without taking your wheels off, good information at least! I'm doing the same to my wheels, soon as my car gets back from the body shop.