I want to put an Eibach Pro-Kit (2" drop in front and 1.5" drop in rear) with GR2 shocks and struts and white SVT wheels on my white ZX5 but I'm poor. Here a possible compromise I want people's opinions on: I could go with an SVT suspension that will lower it 1/2" and paint my 16" wheels white. Then I can go with a lower profile tire that will lower the car another 1/2" for a total of a 1" drop front and rear. What I most need to know is if it's possible to paint a wheel and have it look good? Also, will it last? Thanks in advance for your input...
Painting of the stocker wheels has been done. What you want to do is make absolutely certain your wheels are clean...
No oils, dirt even fingerprints on the surface and then prep and paint properly.
I'm sure there are some others in here who have much more experience w/ paint prep and application than I do. I've seen many stocker rims on sale on EBAY which have been painted.
I definitely think the research on the paint will be worth while for the longest lasting paint on your wheels.
As a side note - going significantly low pro on your stocker rims may result in damage to your rims or tires. The stock Focus rims are VERY soft and I've damaged 4 of them just driving normally and even bobbing and weaving through pothole hell here in New England. One of our other member's has actually Ripped a stock 16" wheel w/ the stock tires on it hitting a pothole that was not seen due to rainy conditions.
That is just an FYI
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Chelly03PZEV wrote: The stock Focus rims are VERY soft That's the truth. Personally, I would not use a lower profile tire on the 16" stockers. I've always run the stock size, and driven pretty carefully. In spite of that, I have 2 wheels that have flat spots. They're driving me nutz!
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How are you planning to paint them...spray paint? If you do it yourself, like Chelly said make sure that they are extremely clean. Wash and dry them very good, then use a lint-free cloth and wipe them down really well with rubbing alcohol and let that dry. The alcohol will remove any left over oils that might be on there.
Also, there are paint prepping products out there.
I believe you can find them just about anywhere...in fact one of them actually comes in a plastic bag at Walmart. It's in the painting section. It's a green liquid I think, but I can't remember the name of it.
Hey eric, doesn't alcohol leave a film? I notice this when I've used it on my windshields...it actually helps bead water off of a window like a windshield. Just an observation.
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I called several body shops and got quotes from $15 - $50 a wheel. I'd rather have a shop paint them if I can get it done for $15 a wheel versus $155 to buy new 17" white SVT wheels. That's a no-brainer for someone with my income...lol
I also found V rated Falken Ziex Ze 512 tires (205/45R16) with a treadwear rating of 360 that weigh 17.9 lbs each. That should help considerably with the rotational weight issue.
I can get all 4 shipped to my door for $280, so that plus the $60 for painting and $60 for mounting and balancing ($15 a wheel) and I'm right at $400. I'll pick up some locking lug nuts at a local parts store for $20 and be done for a grand total of $420.
The tires I have on there now are 210/55R16 but I think the original tires were 205/50R16, so I should only be losing about 0.41" of sidewall height compared to stock, and about 0.81" compared to my current tires. With the SVT suspension upgrade (0.5" drop) and the 205/45R16's the top of the car will be about 1.31" lower than it is now and there will be about 0.31" more room between the top of the tire and the wheelwell.
Chelly03PZEV wrote: Hey eric, doesn't alcohol leave a film? I notice this when I've used it on my windshields...it actually helps bead water off of a window like a windshield. Just an observation.
I've never noticed it, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Any time I've read instructions on applying vinyl graphics or what not, they always mention applying alcohol to remove grease and oils.
