Refinishing my 17" Fondmetal type 5800 wheels

[DanteGTZ]

I came across this set of Fondmetal 5800s on the Bnet Facebook page about a year and a half ago. I loved the look the first time I ever saw them on a Beretta. IMO, the Beretta doesn't look good with a super modern wheel - They do better with a more traditional style, complementary of their own ~30 year old design/styling.

The Fondmetal 5800: 5x100, 17x7.5", ET35.

When I found a set of 5800s for sale, I jumped on them. Drove over 900 miles round trip to get them and still felt good about the purchase. LOL! When I picked them up I found that they had pretty extensive chipping, curb rash and general neglect. Having secured the wheels, I decided to shelf the refinishing project for a while.

That brings me to this past week - Realizing Bfest2015 is only ~4 months away, I decided to get started on them. I had the wheels media blasted to remove the paint. After the blasting, it was easier to spot the imperfections. Then I had to choose the color I wanted to paint. I was originally going to just go the cheaper route and use the Duplicolor wheel paint and do them in gunmetal. I wasn't totally happy with the shade of gunmetal that was available, but I figured it'd be better than just going with a standard silver. Before settling on paint, I talked with yellow3800 about my idea and he suggested going with a true automotive grade paint and choosing the exact color I wanted. Within a few days, we had compared multiple color samples and chosen the exact color. Apparently, the color we chose is also the lower body trim color on 2001-2003 Toyota trucks/SUVs. It is a darker metallic silver.

Last Sunday we began the process. After working out the damaged areas and using various primers, the wheels were ready for paint. After spraying them with a few coats of paint and clear, they looked amazing! The color is absolutely spot on for what I was going for. I wanted a color that would look good on any of the 3 Berettas I own.

I'm waiting at least a week for everything to cure before having the tires installed. I'll be using a 215/45/17 tire.

The only trick now is installing longer lug studs. The factory studs are only long enough for the lug nut to grab a few threads with these wheels. At ~$15 PER CORNER (x3 Berettas), I may start out with one car for now. Most likely, these will go on the Garnet GTZ first.

[CorvetteBeretta]

Those are killer rims! The paint makes em look even better.

[Asylum]

They look great and nice job bringing them back to life.

I am really wrestling with the wheel situation on my GTZ. I'm not a big fan of the GTZ wheels (especially white) and leaning REALLY hard toward GTU/Indy's, but now I'm thinking 17's.

I hope you're keeping the stockers though.

[3X00-Modified]

Whatever you change to Eric, I hope you keep the stockers as well

And remember 17's make stock brakes look really small.

[Asylum]

Whatever you change to Eric, I hope you keep the stockers as well

Don't worry Jon. When I die and you have to come and get it, the stock wheels will be here.

[3X00-Modified]

It better not happen under that circumstance!

[Asylum]

LOL!! Dante, what tires are you thinking about?

I just bought (well last summer) Yokohama S-Drives. I like the performance, but as the reviews suggest, they are a bit noisy.

Are you going with the Willwoods?

[woody90gtz]

Color looks like a cross between gunmetal and silver. I like it. Close to the body color I did my wheels. haha

[DanteGTZ]

LOL!! Dante, what tires are you thinking about?

I just bought (well last summer) Yokohama S-Drives. I like the performance, but as the reviews suggest, they are a bit noisy.

Are you going with the Willwoods?

The wheels came with tires on them. They are Sumitomo HTR ZIIIs in 215/45/17. Two of them are like new. Based on cost, I think I'll just order 2 new ones from TireRack and have a matching set.

As for the brakes, still debating - I want the stopping power but spending almost $1000 to do it seems crazy right now. I was hoping I could find something a bit less expensive.

[DanteGTZ]

Bought a set of 225/45/17 Cooper RS3-S tires. Had the mounted today and snapped some pics of them on the Garnet GTZ. I think they look killer. Very happy with the way everything turned out.

[Asylum]

IMHO looks great/OK, but it doesn't look like a GTZ anymore.

Just another Z04 Beretta with ridiculously small brakes.

And with all due and deserved respect, you saved me a lot of money.

I'm keeping my GTZ wheels on my GTZ,

Just my .02

[CorvetteBeretta]

I like it.. I think those style of rims suit this body style. Nice work..