Rota Slipstream bitten by pothole...

[scotman]

I ordered up a replacement Slipstream wheel and a back-up rim yesterday. Didn't originally intend to buy a pair.
The store manager told me that the minimum number of sets required to have this supply of a specialized Focus/ Fiesta/ cougar wheel fitment restocked are too expensive for such a slow selling item.
The pandemic global shutdowns and the increased costs are starting to filter through the aftermarket wheel industry.
I am just happy getting a couple of the handful that are available.
I still really like these wheels. Im definitely selling my Fiesta ST, but these are going to be a nice upgrade to a basic fiesta i am going to get in the future.

 

[Handy Andy]

What is their offset?

They do look nice...what did it cost you?

 

[scotman]

I think they are +40. They drive really nice. Going from the heavy stock wheels and tires to these feels like losing a load of bricks!
I had to buy a pair because they only had just the one set of satin black 15x7.5 wheels.
With the increased shipping cost it was around four hundred and change. But, i prefer to not dwell on that part of the situation. I now have a replacement and a spare! I will probably never bend another one.
They don't have the "street credibility" of a set of 18 or 20 inch wheels. But, they are wide and very lightweight.

 

[scotman]

Wheels were at my front door this afternoon. Other than the paint color they look great!

 

[Handy Andy]

7.5 inches!

Wow that is wide!

​

40mm Offset - did I Read that right?

 

[scotman]

Yup. In my opinion, The only aspect of this particular wheel that falls short of "perfection" is that it's not forged aluminum. It would be even lighter if it were forged! But, the price would be much more. This wheel stood "exactly right in the middle" of the scale between cost, width- diameter and weight for anyone that wanted a light and relatively wide wheel , for a Fiesta,, that is suitable for either street use or track duty.

 

[Handy Andy]

Well, put some sneakers on those rims and see what it looks like!

 

[scotman]

The Dunlop Direzza survived the impact. So, i plan to remount that and finnish wearing out the set of them on my 2011 hatchback.
Im seriously considering a set of either Michelin or Bridgestone low rolling resistance type tires for my O.Z. Ultraleggera rims. I haven't seen any reason to try out that type of tire until the current price increase in fuel.

 

[scotman]

Drives good. So now i have to make the color match the other's!
A little #600 wet sanding to give the Rado Grey base coat some tooth.
Then wipe and air dry before I mask off the areas i don't want silver. I get everything i don't want to paint masked off and give it a final wash with solvent.
Then i spray the color, working on the tight areas first moving on to the face and rim last. 20 minutes later i give it three coats of eurathane clear and its done.
I don't paint the backside of the wheel. Material costs and labor time being the main reasons.
Plus, i have really come to appreciate that the least amount of paint on something that will probably be scratched or chipped up and need to be refinished in the future is a lot less work.