Ducati 049 Build: Part 4 – Wheels of Gold
If there’s one detail that instantly sets the Ducati 996 apart, it’s those gold-bronze wheels. They’re the finishing touch that gives the bike its exotic presence – subtle enough not to shout, but bold enough to remind you that you’re looking at something special. Naturally, for the Ducati 049, we had to get it right.
Finding the Right Colour
We started down the obvious road: rattle cans. No fancy paint booths, no pro sprayers – just us, some patience, and a bit of DIY ingenuity. After scouring the Ducati forums (and falling into the usual rabbit holes of heated debates about the “correct” shade), we landed on a gem of a tip. The closest colour match? RAL 1035 Pearl Beige, available from YourSprayPaints.com
Armed with the cans and a tin of matt clear lacquer for protection, it was time to prep. My lad took the lead here, carefully sanding and cleaning the wheels until they were spotless. Anyone who’s painted bike parts knows that preparation is half the battle – skip it, and you’ll regret it later. He must’ve spent hours making sure every surface was ready to take paint, and honestly, that effort shows in the final result.
The DIY Spray Booth
Of course, you can’t just blast paint around the garage and hope for the best. So we cobbled together a home-made spray booth from some scrap timber and an old bed sheet. Wheels were suspended in the middle like works of art in a gallery – albeit a gallery that smelt strongly of cellulose. It wasn’t fancy, but it did the trick: dust kept to a minimum, overspray contained, and just enough space to work around the wheels.
The Result
And the payoff? Absolutely worth it. The RAL 1035 Pearl Beige is spot on – a beautiful gold-bronze that catches the light perfectly, just like the original 996 finish. With the matt clear lacquer sealing everything in, the wheels now look factory fresh, and the satisfaction of having done it ourselves is priceless.
It’s a small detail in the grand scheme of the build, but little victories like this keep the project alive and exciting. The Ducati 049 is starting to show its true colours – literally – and we couldn’t be happier.
Next up, we’ll be looking at the frame prep and paint, taking that same Pearl Beige magic and giving the bones of the bike the iconic 996 treatment. Stay tuned – this is where the Ducati 049 really begins to shine.
Stick around – we talk bikes, bodges, and biscuits. And maybe a little paint in our hair too.
