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Good place to buy black rims?
Topic Started: Jul 30 2015, 10:21 PM (954 Views)
Trayce
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Faster than a Speeding Lawnmower

I am so tired of losing a wheel cover every time I get my tires rotated and balanced because the guys doing the work can't seem to put the covers back on correctly and I forget to check them because I'm usually anxious to get out of there. I intended to get rims eventually anyway, so I guess it's going to be sooner rather than later. Trouble is, shopping online is proving difficult as Google completely ignores the "13 inch" part, and they're not a popular size.

I know it's a 4 bolt pattern, and I know I want to keep the 13 inch size, and I'd prefer black rims. If y'all have any suggestions of a good place to buy these, please let me know. I feel like I will probably end up overpaying by a lot if I go to a local performance shop because you know… I have boobs. :-/ :deal

Any suggestions on what to ask if I do give in and go to a shop?
Edited by Trayce, Jul 30 2015, 10:22 PM.
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perfesser
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Elite Member - Former Metro owner

:hmm :hmm You could always try using Plasti-Dip on your original rims. No worries about some jerk at a tire shop spending more time thinking carnal thoughts than trying to actually help you.
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Woodie
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You should be shopping at places like Tire Rack, Discount Tire Direct, and TreadDepot. Problem is, if you insist on staying with 13", you're not going to get much choice, the Koenig Incident is the main one that keeps coming up:
Posted Image

It's got a black rim, but the face of the spokes is machined aluminum.

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wahoospa
Advanced Member
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Trayce, I had the same problem, loosing hub caps. I found the problem was that the original lug nuts extend out too far from the rim, barely touching the hub caps and when pressure is applied to the wheels a hub cap would fly off. I solved the problem by going to a NAPA store and buying 16 lug nuts that do not have the round dome shape to the nuts. The lug nuts I bought were the flat ones. they were about .45 each and solved the problem. I haven't lost a hub cap since replacing those original lug nuts.
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LesCrapp
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Legend

boobs~ :wub:
Edited by LesCrapp, Jul 31 2015, 09:55 AM.
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Ned
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I had eight 13" Geo Metro wheels in various condition. I choose the best four and sent them to a company in Holland, MI that acid bathed, stripped, baked, and then powder coated them in a matte finish black. I just got them back and they look outstanding. For hubs, I found a trailer supply site online that had exactly the right size. I ordered four and had them powder coated too. Everything is off the car right now but when I get it finished, I will post a pic.
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Metromightymouse
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Powdercoat Wizard

How much did all that cost?
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Woodie
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You could also take the hubcaps off before taking the car to the butchers.
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Ned
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Cost for preparing and powder coating each wheel and hub cover was $40. I was able to drop off and pick up, which kept costs within reason. If you'd have to ship to MI, it'd probably would not be cost effective. However, there are lot's of places around the country that do powder coating so I'd check into it. The wheels came out better than new and you can choose from a variety of colors and finishes.
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Trayce
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Faster than a Speeding Lawnmower

I'm not in Michigan and don't want the Geo to be down that long since it's my daily driver (80 miles to work round trip), so powder coating the current rims is a good idea, but not really an option (besides, I'm not overly fond of how the stock rims look). Ditto for the plastidip, plus knowing Mercy, she would have that peeling off just as quickly as she likes to kick off wheel covers. (I spray painted the current covers black, put them back on the wheels today, and she managed to kick one off within 5 miles, so I guess I can't blame the guys at Discount Tire TOO much!)

I did think of taking them off before next wheel service, but apparently it doesn't matter who puts them back on at this point… she just doesn't want them on there. I swear this car has opinions and ways to make them known.

Will look into the lug nut thing. Makes sense. I tend to think some of my problem tho has been crappy, half-beat wheel covers from the junkyard. I noticed some of the plastic things that hold the wire part to the cover were broken on the one that flew off today, so I'm sure that's part of the problem as well. I did intend to get rims anyway after the paint, just wanted to pay OFF the paint before putting out another $500 or so, but Mercy is very impatient.

(For the meantime, I pulled yet another wheel cover out of the garage and spray painted it black. I've only got two left before she wins the game. LOL)

Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll end up looking at what Discount Tire has to offer. I asked them once long ago and they said there's not much choice in 13", but as long as they're black I guess I won't be too choosy.

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sphenicie


I have a HARD time believing that the factory nuts would intrude on the fit of factory wheel covers.

I have been running Metros since late 1990, never had this problem. currently, 4 of my 5 have w/c and no problem. you should mark the rim that is loosing the w/c, it may well be that there is a problem with one rim.

I got a set of aftermarket w/c's for 13" rims for $15/4.......just a cheaper alternative.
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