Chevrolet Bronze Metallic (Wheel Color) (WA163D) Touch Up Paint

The Look

This specific shade defines a very particular era of performance for the C5 Corvette. It was created specifically for the high-end magnesium wheel option offered between 1998 and 2004, a choice that cost owners thousands of dollars to shave weight off their car. The color sits in that sophisticated space between a muted champagne and a technical bronze. Since your Corvette wheels have likely spent the last twenty years facing brake dust and road debris, the original finish often loses its luster or picks up small chips. Touching them up is less about a total overhaul and more about preserving the unique, factory-correct hardware that makes your car stand out from standard silver-wheeled models.

Technical Details

This is a complex metallic finish, which means it relies on a specific density of microscopic flakes to create that signature bronze glow. Metallics can be temperamental; if the paint is applied too heavily in one spot, the flakes will "sink" and create dark, muddy patches known as mottling. To avoid these stripes or uneven spots, you must ensure the metallic particles stay suspended in the liquid. If the finish looks too dark or brown as you apply it, your layering is likely too heavy. Success with this color depends on light, even coats that allow the flakes to sit properly on the surface rather than drowning in the pigment.

Best Practices

Before you spray or dab Chevrolet Bronze Metallic (Wheel Color) (check for code WA163D), you need to shake it for 60 seconds. Because the metallic flakes in this wheel paint are heavier than the pigment, they will settle at the bottom of the container almost immediately. You can find your official paint code on the silver Service Parts Identification sticker, typically located inside the glove box. When you begin, keep the container moving to ensure the metallic density remains consistent across the repair area. Do not start on the wheel itself; instead, test the color on the included card to confirm the shade matches your existing finish. Work in a cool spot like your garage or in the shade, and allow plenty of drying time between layers to prevent the paint from sagging.