Fikse FM5's cleaning and fitment
03-06-2003, 06:55 PM
#1
Fikse FM5's cleaning and fitment How do Fikse rims clean up? I see pictures and sometimes they look really cheap and dull and sometimes they look really expensive and shiny. Polished rims look good when you buff them but if you drive through a puddle it looks like someone took a steel-wool pad to them. Doesn't seem worth the work to keep them clean. Are Fikse rims hard to keep up like that?
I've also noticed how sometimes they look like they stick out so far you could trip somebody. I kind of like the look of rims that are just barely tucked inside the wheelwell or even with it up front and a little kicked out in the back. Is that the offset? ZR1's look about perfect with a fbody offset. The corvette offset looks horrible. They are tucked up into the wheelwell TOO much. So what do I ask for? Pics anyone? Thanks.
<small>[ March 06, 2003, 07:01 PM: Message edited by: SStolen ]</small>
I've also noticed how sometimes they look like they stick out so far you could trip somebody. I kind of like the look of rims that are just barely tucked inside the wheelwell or even with it up front and a little kicked out in the back. Is that the offset? ZR1's look about perfect with a fbody offset. The corvette offset looks horrible. They are tucked up into the wheelwell TOO much. So what do I ask for? Pics anyone? Thanks.
<small>[ March 06, 2003, 07:01 PM: Message edited by: SStolen ]</small>
03-06-2003, 07:00 PM
#2
Re: Fikse FM5's cleaning and fitment I just found out that Fikse come in polished and fully polished. That explains them sometimes looking dull or not. What is the difference in price? I'm looking to buy them used because they just cost too much but if I buy the ones that are not fully polished, can I have them fully polished and then clearcoated or something to that effect? How much extra would that cost me? Thanks for any help. Anyone have pictures of them polished and not polished? I'll take both. Thanks again- Mike.
03-06-2003, 07:26 PM
#3
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Re: Fikse FM5's cleaning and fitment Fikse makes an F-Body specific fittment that features a 17 x 11 rear rim and a 17 x 9.5 front rim that tucks perfectly into the fenderwell in both the front and rear.
Their standard finish is called Technipolish and it's a less "glossy finish" that still cleans up well and looks good.
If you want the full on "WOW" finish you should go with Full Polish - which will probably add about $50.00 - $100.00 per wheel depending on who you buy them from.
As far as getting them polished and cleared afterward, I wouldn't recommend it. You'll lose any type of warranty from Fikse on the wheels themselves and their wheels are a little on the "finicky" side - some materials work well to polish and clear - others will screw your wheels up beyond belief.
I've had two sets on my car (Full Polish and Black Anodized) and got a really good deal on both. If you want to discuss more or would like to find out where I got them from, just send me a PM.
Peace.
Their standard finish is called Technipolish and it's a less "glossy finish" that still cleans up well and looks good.
If you want the full on "WOW" finish you should go with Full Polish - which will probably add about $50.00 - $100.00 per wheel depending on who you buy them from.
As far as getting them polished and cleared afterward, I wouldn't recommend it. You'll lose any type of warranty from Fikse on the wheels themselves and their wheels are a little on the "finicky" side - some materials work well to polish and clear - others will screw your wheels up beyond belief.
I've had two sets on my car (Full Polish and Black Anodized) and got a really good deal on both. If you want to discuss more or would like to find out where I got them from, just send me a PM.
Peace.
03-06-2003, 07:26 PM
#4
Re: Fikse FM5's cleaning and fitment <img src="http://members.aol.com/shudbdrwg/images/berger93-1.jpg" alt=" - " />
The beauty of Fikse wheels is they are custom made to YOUR application. Above are the standard finish. The centers are a machined finish with clear. The outer hoops are polished and had a very thin layer of clear. I say had because I have polished the clear completely off. I like it better because the clear did dull the hoop down. You do have to be careful with keeping the wheels clean, but wheels this expensive you'll take care of them.
The beauty of Fikse wheels is they are custom made to YOUR application. Above are the standard finish. The centers are a machined finish with clear. The outer hoops are polished and had a very thin layer of clear. I say had because I have polished the clear completely off. I like it better because the clear did dull the hoop down. You do have to be careful with keeping the wheels clean, but wheels this expensive you'll take care of them.
03-06-2003, 10:44 PM
#5
Re: Fikse FM5's cleaning and fitment Poolfanatic is right,I have the same wheels on my 2000 SS and Fikse is real strict on the care of there wheels. After I bought my set I got a 2 page letter on cleaning, tire mounting, and balancing. If you dont use certain cleaners and water they will void the warrany. Same goes for the balancing and mounting. You have to have the tires mounted with a certain machine or the warranty is crap! I have never had a problem keeping mine clean, I have the fully polished 17x9.5's up front, 17x11's in the rear. I usually just use Meguires soap and a old cloth baby diaper on them. When I polish them I use X Treem metal polish, It works great and Isn't very time consuming. I would strongly reccomened that you just buy new Fikse F/M 5's, You won't regret it.
03-07-2003, 06:10 AM
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Re: Fikse FM5's cleaning and fitment If you are serious about the FM5's and don't wanna pay the price, INTRO customs makes custom Billet rims, and they have a set that looks exactly like the FM5's that i'm looking to order, the retail for like $1,100 in 17's, any width, and backspacing, they are custom made to your vehicle, i've contacted them about working me a deal, not really a G/P, but sort of, if i can get a few others to order rims with me, they'll hook us all up, at the same time, email me if interested, and the INTRO's are fully polished inside and out.
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03-08-2003, 12:50 AM
#8
Re: Fikse FM5's cleaning and fitment So you need to polish the rims for an hour about every weekend to keep them looking good? If I drive through a puddle of muddy water and dont clean them off for a week and then clean them will they need polishing? Put it this way, would an electric buffer be a wise investment with these rims? What are these 'rules' to owning Fikse that you must obey? And what kind of warranty would you need on a rim anyway? Thanks.
And anyone have pics of a fully polished FM-5? The plain finish doesn't look too bad.
And anyone have pics of a fully polished FM-5? The plain finish doesn't look too bad.
03-08-2003, 01:05 AM
#9
Re: Fikse FM5's cleaning and fitment Xsta Z28: Are those 17x11 inch rims in the back of the car? They don't look any deeper than the front rims. Or are the rims in an fbody offset where the rim is inside of the wheelwell? I have 18x10.5 rims now and they sit DEEP inside the wheelwell so I think you could ALMOST fit 17x12's inside of the wheelwell or even with it at least.
Zya_ltr: So you say you have a deal with a company making some mock Fikse for only $1100? What kind of full Billet rim with a Full Polish finish can you get for 275 each? I kind of believe that you get what you pay for but I also believe that company's like Fikse will charge the highest price they think you will pay. So you have my attention. Do you have a website I can visit or some pictures I can look at to see what I'm getting? If I like what I see then I will buy them tomorrow. When is this deal going to be ready? I need some 17x9 or 17x9.5 and some 17x11 in an fbody offset or whatever is close to the blue SS on the thread. Actually, if the back stuck out a little more, maybe a half inch, I might like that even better. Thanks
Zya_ltr: So you say you have a deal with a company making some mock Fikse for only $1100? What kind of full Billet rim with a Full Polish finish can you get for 275 each? I kind of believe that you get what you pay for but I also believe that company's like Fikse will charge the highest price they think you will pay. So you have my attention. Do you have a website I can visit or some pictures I can look at to see what I'm getting? If I like what I see then I will buy them tomorrow. When is this deal going to be ready? I need some 17x9 or 17x9.5 and some 17x11 in an fbody offset or whatever is close to the blue SS on the thread. Actually, if the back stuck out a little more, maybe a half inch, I might like that even better. Thanks
03-11-2003, 12:23 AM
#10
Re: Fikse FM5's cleaning and fitment No you dont have to polish the rims for an hour every weekend. Most of the time, the only time you have to polish them is if they have waterspots on them or they are a little dirtier than normal. If you go through a puddle of muddy water and dont clean them for a week, yes you might have to polish them to get the finish you want. Any wheel would be that way when made out of aluminum. I highly reccomend do not get a buffer for these wheels!! You have the chance of burning the aluminum as you would any thing you buff.
The rules of warranty are ... Use soap and water(not dish soap) car wash soap and go over them with a soft cloth, Do not use any type of wheel cleaner since the chemicals can be too harsh on the wheel's finish, You have to have tires mounted on the wheel's with a special tire machine. Certain tire machine's will damage the wheel just by the way it holds it in place with it's clamps. I cant't remember which machine but every tire place has it just for those special wheels.
The reason for the warranty is if you spend that kind of money on wheels, wouldn't you want to know that they have a lifetime gaurantee?? They will gauruntee the finish and that the wheel has no derfects when shipped, and that the finish of the wheels stays like new with proper care.Each wheel has it's own seperate serial number ingraved on the inner lip of them, to insure that if you ever have a problem with them, Fikse will replace or fix that wheel or wheels. If you do not use the proper care to wash, or have them fitted and you send in a wheel or wheels, Fikse will be able to tell just by the appearance and certain marks on the wheels. I can tell you this now, I had a problem with one of my wheels when i first recieved it in the mail. There was a slight dimple in the lip of the rim, so I called them up and took a pic of it and sent in the pic. They called me and told me to send in the wheel, they sent me a new one within a few weeks, due to they make each wheel only by order.
I have no regrets with mine and love them. As long as you take care of them properly Fikse will honor any defect when new or old.
The rules of warranty are ... Use soap and water(not dish soap) car wash soap and go over them with a soft cloth, Do not use any type of wheel cleaner since the chemicals can be too harsh on the wheel's finish, You have to have tires mounted on the wheel's with a special tire machine. Certain tire machine's will damage the wheel just by the way it holds it in place with it's clamps. I cant't remember which machine but every tire place has it just for those special wheels.
The reason for the warranty is if you spend that kind of money on wheels, wouldn't you want to know that they have a lifetime gaurantee?? They will gauruntee the finish and that the wheel has no derfects when shipped, and that the finish of the wheels stays like new with proper care.Each wheel has it's own seperate serial number ingraved on the inner lip of them, to insure that if you ever have a problem with them, Fikse will replace or fix that wheel or wheels. If you do not use the proper care to wash, or have them fitted and you send in a wheel or wheels, Fikse will be able to tell just by the appearance and certain marks on the wheels. I can tell you this now, I had a problem with one of my wheels when i first recieved it in the mail. There was a slight dimple in the lip of the rim, so I called them up and took a pic of it and sent in the pic. They called me and told me to send in the wheel, they sent me a new one within a few weeks, due to they make each wheel only by order.
I have no regrets with mine and love them. As long as you take care of them properly Fikse will honor any defect when new or old.
03-11-2003, 12:38 AM
#11
Re: Fikse FM5's cleaning and fitment </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by SStolen:
<strong> Xsta Z28: Are those 17x11 inch rims in the back of the car? They don't look any deeper than the front rims. Or are the rims in an fbody offset where the rim is inside of the wheelwell? I have 18x10.5 rims now and they sit DEEP inside the wheelwell so I think you could ALMOST fit 17x12's inside of the wheelwell or even with it at least. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The wheels on my Berger are 17" x 9.5" all the way around, w/ 275/40ZR17 tires. They must have a fairly small offset, less than the stock 50mm to sit in the wheel well as nicely as they do. Care wise just use some nice mild car wash soap, and quickly go around the hoop with a touch of liquid metal polish and good to go!
17" x 11" is the widest I'd say you can go with out major modifications to the body work. My wheels as is hit the wheel well in the back.
There is a product out called Zoop Seal or something like that which is supposed to seal a fully polished wheel for up to 3 years.
<strong> Xsta Z28: Are those 17x11 inch rims in the back of the car? They don't look any deeper than the front rims. Or are the rims in an fbody offset where the rim is inside of the wheelwell? I have 18x10.5 rims now and they sit DEEP inside the wheelwell so I think you could ALMOST fit 17x12's inside of the wheelwell or even with it at least. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The wheels on my Berger are 17" x 9.5" all the way around, w/ 275/40ZR17 tires. They must have a fairly small offset, less than the stock 50mm to sit in the wheel well as nicely as they do. Care wise just use some nice mild car wash soap, and quickly go around the hoop with a touch of liquid metal polish and good to go!
17" x 11" is the widest I'd say you can go with out major modifications to the body work. My wheels as is hit the wheel well in the back.
There is a product out called Zoop Seal or something like that which is supposed to seal a fully polished wheel for up to 3 years.
