00 Grand Prix GTP. Start With Discolored Wheels, Then On to the Paint.

[TwoFoolsAMinute]

I just got a 2000 Grand Prix GTP a few weeks ago. Mid-life crisis on a budget. The paint is in decent shape, so, I'll get to that later.

What bothers me the most right now is that the wheels are darkened and have a tinge of gold/coppery color to them. I want to get them bright and polished looking again. I assume they are clear coated alloy factory rims. I cleaned them with Mother's Foaming Wheel and Tire cleaner and a wheel brush and, though they are cleaner, the color remained the same.

So, what is up with the discoloration, and what should I try next? I can't manage a picture that gives an accurate representation of the color, but maybe I can get one that gives a general idea.

 

[Ron Atchison]

From what your describing it sounds like it's built up brake dust. This should clean it off.

1Z Einszett ColourTec Wheel Cleaner, color changing wheel cleaner, german brake dust remover

 

[The Guz]

I'm a w-body guy so I will go ahead and let you know that you my friend picked up a gold edition. The wheels are meant to have a goldish color to them. The gold pin stripe was also a gold package add on. There is nothing wrong with the wheels.

Head on over to grandprixforums.et and gpona.com You will find me at both places.

I will post another photo that is on my home PC of a gold edition.


-Mike

 

[TwoFoolsAMinute]

I'm a w-body guy so I will go ahead and let you know that you my friend picked up a gold edition. The wheels are meant to have a goldish color to them. The gold pin stripe was also a gold package add on. There is nothing wrong with the wheels.

Head on over to grandprixforums.et and gpona.com You will find me at both places.

I will post another photo that is on my home PC of a gold edition.


-Mike

Well, I'll be darned. They don't look gold enough to be intentional.

 

[The Guz]

Here are a few photos I collected over the years

The wheels

Hop on over the grand prix forums. You will be amazed at the modding potential (motor and appearance) these cars have. But they are also good forums to help you maintenance wise.

Here's a quick photo of mine.

 

[parttimer]

Car is a beut! But yeah, those are factory "gold" wheels. Don't scrub it off! Time for a pulley, intake and tune! I went through about 4 motors before I dumped mine! Cam, rockers, tiny pulley, header, exhaust, dp all sorts of fun!

 

[Justin at Final Inspection]

Yup these guys are right. The wheels are meant to be that color. Check out IntenseRacing for awesome engine parts for that 3.8.

 

[parttimer]

I preferred zzperformance over intense. I got one of their first pcm's they released. I was having a knock issue according to my scanner, plugged in their PCM and like magic the knock was gone and the car ran like a raped ape, for about a minute until I burned a hole in a cylinder. Turns out their way of fixing knock at the time was to just turn off the sensors! I argued with Scott by email and got nowhere. Zoomer has/had the same stuff, not sure if he is around anymore.

 

[TwoFoolsAMinute]

Well, I guess the case of the discolored wheels is solved. My intention was to be rid of the gold stripe and emblems, but now I wonder if I should embrace the gold. Black/gold is not really my thing, but it is what it is. I'll have to think on that one.

 

[TwoFoolsAMinute]

Here's a quick photo of mine.

Love it!! Those are the exact wheels I pictured on mine.

 

[TwoFoolsAMinute]

Car is a beut! But yeah, those are factory "gold" wheels. Don't scrub it off! Time for a pulley, intake and tune! I went through about 4 motors before I dumped mine! Cam, rockers, tiny pulley, header, exhaust, dp all sorts of fun!

Not sure I want to go through several motors. That doesn't sound good.

 

[tommygee]

Here are a few photos I collected over the years

The wheels

Hop on over the grand prix forums. You will be amazed at the modding potential (motor and appearance) these cars have. But they are also good forums to help you maintenance wise.

Here's a quick photo of mine.

I've got an '05 Silver GTP. My rims are trashed. Which rims and body kit do you have on yours? Looks awesome!

 

[The Guz]

Well, I guess the case of the discolored wheels is solved. My intention was to be rid of the gold stripe and emblems, but now I wonder if I should embrace the gold. Black/gold is not really my thing, but it is what it is. I'll have to think on that one.

I like the look of gold on black. It 's different than the the black on black (murdered out) look which in my opinion is played out.

A nice silver wheel would look good if you decide to remove the gold pin stripe and wheels.

I used to see 2 gold editions where I work. They did look nice enough where it stood out to me. Although I have been involved in the w-body scene for a long time.

Love it!! Those are the exact wheels I pictured on mine.

They are falken koblenz. If they were still available the machined face with gunmetal would look good on black.

I've got an '05 Silver GTP. My rims are trashed. Which rims and body kit do you have on yours? Looks awesome!

I have falken koblenz on mine. The specs are 18x8 with a +35 offset. I'm using a 5x114.3 mm bolt pattern. The stock bolt patter is 5x115mm but the 5x114.3 works fine and bolts up fine. This bolt pattern opens up more possibilities than the 5x115.

The only add on to the body besides the hood and spoiler is the lower front bumper. It's a 97-03 piece sold at pfyc as an SD air dam. For the 04+ there is the special edition front and rear bumper add on pieces which are GM OEM pieces that came on certain models. They look really nice. The inferno package is also available for the 04+.

 

[tommygee]

I like the look of gold on black. It 's different than the the black on black (murdered out) look which in my opinion is played out.

A nice silver wheel would look good if you decide to remove the gold pin stripe and wheels.

I used to see 2 gold editions where I work. They did look nice enough where it stood out to me. Although I have been involved in the w-body scene for a long time.



They are falken koblenz. If they were still available the machined face with gunmetal would look good on black.



I have falken koblenz on mine. The specs are 18x8 with a +35 offset. I'm using a 5x114.3 mm bolt pattern. The stock bolt patter is 5x115mm but the 5x114.3 works fine and bolts up fine. This bolt pattern opens up more possibilities than the 5x115.

The only add on to the body besides the hood and spoiler is the lower front bumper. It's a 97-03 piece sold at pfyc as an SD air dam. For the 04+ there is the special edition front and rear bumper add on pieces which are GM OEM pieces that came on certain models. They look really nice. The inferno package is also available for the 04+.

Thanks. I was looking at some aftermarket kits. I didn't know there were some OEM parts I could track down. Those rims are sweet. I'm planning on parking my GTP and buying another DD. Plus I'm moving down South. So no more F#$$$%%$ winters!

 

[parttimer]

Not sure I want to go through several motors. That doesn't sound good.

Stick with a pulley, cai and rockers along with a PCM and exhaust. I noticed a HUGE improvement with the downpipe.

 

[The Guz]

^^ forgot about this. The right tune and mods will be just fine. If anything since you just picked it up I would look and see if the lower intake manifold gaskets have been replaced with the new aluminum one's. The OEM plastic one's leak. Same goes for the coolant elbows under the alternator. They can often leak and crack. The new dorman aluminum coolant elbows are worth it.

 

[TwoFoolsAMinute]

Ok, I made an introductory post at grandprixforums.net. Guess I'll take the mechanical questions over there.

I'm missing the drivers side GTP badge. Trying to decide whether to replace it or de-badge.