What was I spray painting at 10pm in my garage?

[DoinkMobb]

18x8 G35 coupe rims. I sanded them, then rinsed with water, then wiped down with rubbing alcohol. This is after only one coat:







It's pretty hard to get good shots of shiny black rims under crappy flourescent lighting. And then these are going on:



Sumitomo HTR Z III in 245/40/18. Slightly smaller diameter than the stock tires. Don't worry, they have a 97Y load rating.

[Kiven422]

looks very nice wish i could put those on my car

[superuber]

I wonder how the paint is going to hold up?Why did you paint them?

[DoinkMobb]

I wonder how the paint is going to hold up?Why did you paint them?

I did a set of rims on my old Impreza, and they've held up fine so far. I'm sure at 50K miles they'll have some chips and curb rash but for a $20 paint job, who cares?

I painted them because they were silver and I wanted them to be black.

I need to do a few more coats of black and then a few coats of clearcoat. Hopefully they'll be on the car by Monday.

[lino]

They look almost like the hyper silver / black chrome look. There are many videos on youtube on how to paint wheels if you are interested in tips and ideas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...lated

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5eK5OnHfqA

[DoinkMobb]

They look almost like the hyper silver / black chrome look.

It's just the lighting. I used satin black spraypaint, because I wanted them to have a little gloss. Flat just looks dirty to me all the time and high gloss looks cheesy. They'll look normal in the sunlight.

[superuber]

I like them, post some pics on!

[StarPD]

Your tires are the same ones on the 20" chrome American Racing wheels I still have for sale, just a different size. They're actually VERY good tires, and I think you'll like them. Only reason I replaced them on my '05 Q is that I didn't like the way 20" wheels looked on it. I put 18" chrome TSW wheels and Bridgestones on it. I think it looks better, but that's just me.

[Haitian_King]

It's just the lighting. I used satin black spraypaint, because I wanted them to have a little gloss. Flat just looks dirty to me all the time and high gloss looks cheesy. They'll look normal in the sunlight.

It looks very good. Great job!

[Rex]

I need to do a few more coats of black and then a few coats of clearcoat.

That's the key to the paint holding up right there.

[DoinkMobb]

I like them, post some pics on!

Possibly, Monday night or maybe Tues. I should have time to work on them this weekend and then bring them to the shop on Monday morning. It's been really scary driving on wet roads the past few months. I hate crappy tires.

[ddrumman]

Very nice job! They look hyper silver/gun metal gray ish instead of black. I wish you'd have gone with 255/40s. Post some pics after you're done.

[DoinkMobb]

Very nice job! They look hyper silver/gun metal gray ish instead of black. I wish you'd have gone with 255/40s. Post some pics after you're done.

Sumitomo HTR Z III245/40/18$11424.3 lbs25.8" diameterapprox. 8.0" tread width on 8" wide rims

255/40/18$15130.5 lbs26.1" diameterapprox. 8.5" tread width on 8" wide rims

It's just not worth it to me to pay an extra $150 and gain 6.2 lbs of unsprung rotational weight to get an extra 1/2 inch of tread width.

[SynisterQ]

Sumitomo HTR Z III245/40/18$11424.3 lbs25.8" diameterapprox. 8.0" tread width on 8" wide rims

255/40/18$15130.5 lbs26.1" diameterapprox. 8.5" tread width on 8" wide rims

It's just not worth it to me to pay an extra $150 and gain 6.2 lbs of unsprung rotational weight to get an extra 1/2 inch of tread width.

First of all, those wheels look absolutely awesome! The satin black was an outstanding choice. Second, where'd you get all that excellent intel about the wheel weights and tire diameters? Thats cool.

[DoinkMobb]

First of all, those wheels look absolutely awesome! The satin black was an outstanding choice. Second, where'd you get all that excellent intel about the wheel weights and tire diameters? Thats cool.

Thanks. They should look extra awesome on the car. I'll probably have to wait until Wed to get them on though, still have to do a few coats.

Tirerack.com and edgeracing.com both have a lot of good info. I'm obsessive when it comes to researching tires.

[maxnix]

Sumitomo HTR Z III245/40/18$11424.3 lbs25.8" diameterapprox. 8.0" tread width on 8" wide rims

255/40/18$15130.5 lbs26.1" diameterapprox. 8.5" tread width on 8" wide rims

It's just not worth it to me to pay an extra $150 and gain 6.2 lbs of unsprung rotational weight to get an extra 1/2 inch of tread width.

300 tread wear index is a little too close to the billiard ball end of the spectrum.

OEM tire was 180. Nice to be 220 or less, especially if the car has TCS.

[ca18tt1978]

300 tread wear index is a little too close to the billiard ball end of the spectrum.OEM tire was 180. Nice to be 220 or less, especially if the car has TCS.

You do know the high the number the more miles the tire maker thinks the tire will last .So the high the number the better the tire and long it lasts . Now When it comes to a performance tire the number will be lower cause its made for grip and performance . Touring type tire would be a better buy cause your gonna get performance and traction it cost more but worth the money . With that said if you want a tire with a low treadwear rating then your just spending money on something your gonna be replacing sooner in the future .

Dont take my word for it check this link ....http://www.tire-information-wo....html

[konatown]

Yes, it does mean how long the tire manufacturer believes the tires will last according to their testing. But you can NEVER EVER compare these numbers between manufacturers because there is no standardized testing. Each manufacturer will have different values. Only compare between same brand tires.

EDIT:Ahh, that article does say this.

[Denver90Q]

Maybe you could get them powder coated?

[Rex]

You do know the high the number the more miles the tire maker thinks the tire will last .So the high the number the better the tire and long it lasts . Now When it comes to a performance tire the number will be lower cause its made for grip and performance . Touring type tire would be a better buy cause your gonna get performance and traction it cost more but worth the money . With that said if you want a tire with a low treadwear rating then your just spending money on something your gonna be replacing sooner in the future .

Dont take my word for it check this link ....http://www.tire-information-wo....html

Yes, and on a Q45 for the TCS, ABS and "just to have sufficient grip" you want something with a low (numeric) tread wear rating. That's what he was saying.

[Haitian_King]

Yes, and on a Q45 for the TCS, ABS and "just to have sufficient grip" you want something with a low (numeric) tread wear rating. That's what he was saying.

Too high of a treadwear count is bad for TCS? Why? I'd like to know so I can avoid getting the improper tires.

[DoinkMobb]

Yes, and on a Q45 for the TCS, ABS and "just to have sufficient grip" you want something with a low (numeric) tread wear rating. That's what he was saying.

Check this out: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...id=93

That tread rating is somewhat irrelevant. It's not standardized so it's not apples to apples. It can give you a general idea of what to expect, but it's not a hard and fast rule.

The Sumitomo HTR Z III was compared against the Yoko ADVAN Sport, among others. The treadwear rating for the Yoko is 180, for the Sumitomo it's 300. The Sumitomo pulled a 0.95g on the skidpad whereas the Yoko pulled a 0.92g. I know that is not the end-all be-all indication of a tire's performance, but it consistently performed on par or slightly better than the Yoko tire.

I really doubt the Sumitomo will last much, if any, longer than the Yoko tire. Similar performance most likely means similar wear. The treadwear rating isn't really the best way to judge a tire's abilities...

ca18tt1978 - if you're buying a high performance tire, you're buying it because you're willing to sacrifice longevity for maximum grip. Perhaps you've never driven a car with max performance tires? They are most definitely worth the money, trust me.

[Rex]

Those tires were tested new/low mile. Tread wear really speaks to the life of the tire. Lets see the same tests after the tires have 7-10k miles on them.

[DoinkMobb]

That is something to take into consideration, low mileage vs. higher mileage. The Sumitomos could lose a lot of their grip after 5k miles...but so could the Yokos. There's too many variables to take into account to be able to accurately gauge performance after 10K miles though - type of driving, alignment, tire rotation...unless two sets of tires were driven in exactly the same manner over the course of those miles, the results might not say much.

[Rex]

Look at the reviews and see how many miles people are getting out of the same "tire" on similar vehicles. Lower cost tires start out with good grip (tom impress) then seem to have tread left forever (with lesser grip), but the buyer just thinks about how long they last and feel they're a good tire.

On a Q, a good tire won't last much more than 12k. If it does, the longer wear comes at a decreased amount of grip later in the tires life.

It's a trade off, as the owner of a >4,000 lb car, do you want grip or long tread life? You can't have both .

[DoinkMobb]

Look at the reviews and see how many miles people are getting out of the same "tire" on similar vehicles. Lower cost tires start out with good grip (tom impress) then seem to have tread left forever (with lesser grip), but the buyer just thinks about how long they last and feel they're a good tire.

That is something to take into consideration. I guess I'll have to beat on these tires and see how they perform as the miles add up.

I was driving a 2300 lb. car before I got the Q. Putting sticky tires on that car turned it into a go-kart for the streets, I could throw it into any corner or on-ramp and it would stick. I'm curious how a 2-ton sedan will feel with gobs of grip.

[StarPD]

Check this out: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...id=93

That tread rating is somewhat irrelevant. It's not standardized so it's not apples to apples. It can give you a general idea of what to expect, but it's not a hard and fast rule.

The Sumitomo HTR Z III was compared against the Yoko ADVAN Sport, among others. The treadwear rating for the Yoko is 180, for the Sumitomo it's 300. The Sumitomo pulled a 0.95g on the skidpad whereas the Yoko pulled a 0.92g. I know that is not the end-all be-all indication of a tire's performance, but it consistently performed on par or slightly better than the Yoko tire.

I really doubt the Sumitomo will last much, if any, longer than the Yoko tire. Similar performance most likely means similar wear. The treadwear rating isn't really the best way to judge a tire's abilities...

ca18tt1978 - if you're buying a high performance tire, you're buying it because you're willing to sacrifice longevity for maximum grip. Perhaps you've never driven a car with max performance tires? They are most definitely worth the money, trust me.

Tire life is based on a number of things. Tread wear is not the only factor. As Dennis says, tires, even when not worn out, should be replaced approximately every 3 to 4 years (that is correct, isn't it Dennis?). Even so, tread wear itself is dependent on a number of things. Carcass design and material, rubber compound, and tread pattern all enter into it, as does actual inflation pressure and the environment they are operated in, and the use they get (load, speed, etc).

Case in point:The Bridgestone RE050 "Pole Position" tire has a tread wear rating of 140 (for most sizes), while the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 is 220. Both have similar performance characteristics. I have the Bridgestones (245/45-18) on my '05 Q45. Despite the low tread wear rating, I have over 10k miles on them, and they show no appreciable wear. I was afraid I'd only get around 10 to 15k miles from them based on their tread wear rating, but that hasn't proved to be the case. They were at the time I bought them, considerably less expensive than the PS2s, $180 each compared to around $400+ each for the Michelins, althought they have gone up since then. I figured that for the difference in price, and considering the almost identical test results and owner surveys, they were a better value. Do I like them? Yes. I'm not ecstatic over them, and maybe I'd be happier with the PS2s, but so far, they are acceptable, The tread wear does surprise me though, especially in view of their rating.

Generally speaking, harder rubber means loger tread life, but lower traction. But as I said, that varies by tire make, model, and even size and use. Careful research and getting opinions of knowledgable owners, especially those who have tried different tires will help you make good decisions. While I seek maximum traction, wet AND dry, both in cornering and braking and superior steering response, stability, and turn-in, mostly because I occasionally drive fast and hard, others may not want or need the same from their tires. The owner who only drives 75 MPH on freeways and Interstates, and is not into high performance can get by quite well with a tire that is below the PS2 or RE050A, and has more tread life. Just keep in mind that regardless of tread wear rating, tires should be replaced based on age too, just like motor oil. Buying based on tread wear alone may be false economy. But whatever you do, don't skimp on tires. They are the ONLY contact you have with the road. Your life depends on that contact, so choose carefully and wisely. NICO is an exccellent source of good feedback on tires for the Q, as is "Tire Rack".

FWIW, I prefer sticking with the known and acknowledged premium high-performance tire makers like Michelin, Bridgestone, BF Goodrich, Yokohama, etc. I then try to make the best deal I can on what I determine suits my needs and wants best.

[StarPD]

Look at the reviews and see how many miles people are getting out of the same "tire" on similar vehicles. Lower cost tires start out with good grip (tom impress) then seem to have tread left forever (with lesser grip), but the buyer just thinks about how long they last and feel they're a good tire.

On a Q, a good tire won't last much more than 12k. If it does, the longer wear comes at a decreased amount of grip later in the tires life.

It's a trade off, as the owner of a >4,000 lb car, do you want grip or long tread life? You can't have both .

Rex, while you may be correct regarding cheaper tires, that has not been the case with my Bridgestones. I am a lot more sensitive to tire performance than most, and can tell immdiately how tires perform and when they start to deteriorate. So far at one year and 10K miles, they are as good as when new, with little apparent wear. While I no longer drive as fast on the road (wife doesn't like it and speed enforcement is tougher), I still love to corner as hard as I can, and try to not slow down for curves or corners.

Ironically enough, when I was driving new Corvettes, and Goodyear had come out with their super dooper high-performance tires especially designed for the Corvette in '85, I found exactly what you stated. They were fantastic when new, but as they wore, traction diminished appreciably. Note that they were REALLY expensive then in 1985, as I recall, around $400.

BTW, I liked the OEM sized Yoko AVS DB II "V" rated on my '94 Q45t. They gave great traction with gradual breakaway and hookup, easy to drift in corners with little effort. I suspect that HICAS had something to do with that too though. Not sure if they even make them any more, but if they do, I can recommend them for G50s. Price at Discount Tire was great too.

[qship96]

I am on drivivg on a set of Michelin Pilot Exalto 225/60/15V, rated at 400 treadwear. Currently have 47,500 miles on them, wearing evenly with about 4.5/32 tread depth remaining- tires still handle well and are quiet-last alignment was performed when tires were initially installed. I have a set of new Exaltos in garage waiting to be installed when current ones hit 3/32 tread depth,which should be around 55,000 miles or so-guess I will get alignment checked/set at time of installation as usual.

[maxnix]

You do know the high the number the more miles the tire maker thinks the tire will last .So the high the number the better the tire and long it lasts .

"Better" is a relative term. If you want performance, a softer tire is always better short term, given all else is equal, which it never is. PS2 and F1 have super proprietary formulations tenhance wear, but still keep traction even in the wet.

Why the barely legal DOT rated track tires have wear indices of 80 or even less.