Lug nuts - aftermarket to fit OEM Ray's Forged Sport package wheels

MacCool · 05-01-2014, 03:58 AM

I'm not going aluminum and there's too much at stake for me to be comfortable with the Gorillas for the sake of saving $50. I ordered a set of OEM lug nuts from Courtesy Parts. Getting them powder coated locally is easy. I hadn't thought of chrome plating, but I'm not sure that epoxy-over-chrome would be any more durable than powder coating.

synolimit · 05-01-2014, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacCool

I'm not going aluminum and there's too much at stake for me to be comfortable with the Gorillas for the sake of saving $50. I ordered a set of OEM lug nuts from Courtesy Parts. Getting them powder coated locally is easy. I hadn't thought of chrome plating, but I'm not sure that epoxy-over-chrome would be any more durable than powder coating.

Well if it makes you feel any better my gorilla's black chromed made it 52k on two WRX's and this new set on the Z's at like 7k with winters. Still black with many drops and kicks being laid on the garage floor when working and wheels are still on it.

MacCool · 05-01-2014, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

Well if it makes you feel any better my gorilla's black chromed made it 52k on two WRX's and this new set on the Z's at like 7k with winters. Still black with many drops and kicks being laid on the garage floor when working and wheels are still on it.

I appreciate the observation. If black was my color choice, I might have gone that route but since I can't electroplate red, and especially in this day of rampant substandard Chinese knock-off fasteners, I'm going to shell out the $50 and go with proven OEM security and then some powder coating.

MacCool · 05-07-2014, 10:50 AM

Ultimately decided to just go with plastic covers from Color Lugs. $20 for a set of 20, as opposed to $100 for a set of OEM lug nuts then about $100 to get them powder coated. Seems worth a try. I note that the Color Lugs web site thinks that the OEM nuts on the 370Z Sport wheels are 17mm. They're not...they're 21mm and require the lugcaps, not the boltcaps.

DEpointfive0 · 05-07-2014, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacCool

Ultimately decided to just go with plastic covers from Color Lugs. $20 for a set of 20, as opposed to $100 for a set of OEM lug nuts then about $100 to get them powder coated. Seems worth a try. I note that the Color Lugs web site thinks that the OEM nuts on the 370Z Sport wheels are 17mm. They're not...they're 21mm and require the lugcaps, not the boltcaps.

What color do you want them powdercoated?

I'm finding it hard to believe it would cost $100 for spare lugs and $100 to PC them... If you want a color that I have, I'll do it for free.

MacCool · 05-07-2014, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0

What color do you want them powdercoated?

I'm finding it hard to believe it would cost $100 for spare lugs and $100 to PC them... If you want a color that I have, I'll do it for free.

Thanks. The cost of OEM lugs at Z1 is $99. The cost of the powder coating is mostly labor. Sandblasting the chrome, buying twenty M12 bolts to protect the threads, then the multiple coats required for functional (vs decorative) non-porous finish so that the now-dechromed nuts don't rust. Not to mention the potential change in nut size keeping the socket from fitting the coated lug nut. I think I'd probably sandblast them myself, then just hit 'em with some krylon, powder coat them if that didn't work. As it is, well....the red plastic caps are $20 a set and will just press on over my existing lugs.

DEpointfive0 · 05-07-2014, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacCool

Thanks. The cost of OEM lugs at Z1 is $99. The cost of the powder coating is mostly labor. Sandblasting the chrome, buying twenty M12 bolts to protect the threads, then the multiple coats required for functional (vs decorative) non-porous finish so that the now-dechromed nuts don't rust. Not to mention the potential change in nut size keeping the socket from fitting the coated lug nut. I think I'd probably sandblast them myself, then just hit 'em with some krylon, powder coat them if that didn't work. As it is, well....the red plastic caps are $20 a set and will just press on over my existing lugs.

Um... I have powdercoated lug nuts... You don't have to do any of that crap., I put the lugs on a metal tray with aluminum foil, carries the current well enough.

And buy a used set from here on the forum for $20. I would send you one of my sets, but I went from 10 sets to 0...

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05-01-2014, 03:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
MacCool A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,349 Drives: 370Z PW 2014 Rep Power: 17	I'm not going aluminum and there's too much at stake for me to be comfortable with the Gorillas for the sake of saving $50. I ordered a set of OEM lug nuts from Courtesy Parts. Getting them powder coated locally is easy. I hadn't thought of chrome plating, but I'm not sure that epoxy-over-chrome would be any more durable than powder coating.

05-07-2014, 10:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
MacCool A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,349 Drives: 370Z PW 2014 Rep Power: 17	Ultimately decided to just go with plastic covers from Color Lugs. $20 for a set of 20, as opposed to $100 for a set of OEM lug nuts then about $100 to get them powder coated. Seems worth a try. I note that the Color Lugs web site thinks that the OEM nuts on the 370Z Sport wheels are 17mm. They're not...they're 21mm and require the lugcaps, not the boltcaps.