Painted black steelies on BFGoodrich KO2 245/65/17

[Scupking]

Directions on painting the XL steel wheels:

You want to pressure wash the rims first to get any debris off then sand it with 600-800 grit sandpaper and the factory silver color comes off very easy.

Then pressure wash again and wipe clean.

Let it dry then place index cards in-between the rim and tire to protect the tires from over spray.

Then just use a rim specific spray paint and put 3-4 coats of paint on.

Looks fantastic! I think 245/65/17s are the biggest tire that looks good on the Maverick!

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[mikelowrey]

Directions on painting the XL steel wheels:

You want to pressure wash the rims first to get any debris off then sand it with 600-800 grit sandpaper and the factory silver color comes off very easy.

Then pressure wash again and wipe clean.

Let it dry then place index cards in-between the rim and tire to protect the tires from over spray.

Then just use a rim specific spray paint and put 3-4 coats of paint on.

wow great job! These look great.

 

[TCK]

Don't heavy A/T tires, and their intended purpose, defeat the purpose of getting a hybrid? Curious....

That is not a hybrid mate…it has been delivered. The base model is not yet available for this truck.

 

[TCK]

I didn't think anyone has a hybrid yet

Correct

 

[8211badger]

Black should have been the standard color for the steelies. These look great.

Definitely. But then it would have looked too good. I wish i was kidding. Ford isn't clearing much on xl's. Esp hybrids.

 

[Harleystreetbob]

Think ford should have sent them from factory this way,looks much better!

 

[Gmayaia]

Directions on painting the XL steel wheels:

You want to pressure wash the rims first to get any debris off then sand it with 600-800 grit sandpaper and the factory silver color comes off very easy.

Then pressure wash again and wipe clean.

Let it dry then place index cards in-between the rim and tire to protect the tires from over spray.

Then just use a rim specific spray paint and put 3-4 coats of paint on.

They do look much better in black! Thanks for the peak!

 

[sthomp]

I was planning on painting my XLT hybrid wheels gloss black when it came in. Hopefully, I will be the first to do it

 

[GaMaverick]

Looks great but you should have paid to have them professionally powder coated. New rims with no residue all over them are perfect for powder coating.

i’m a diy type of guy myself but can spray paint isn’t going to last very long without chipping or scratching off..

 

[Bsimps]

That looks great, I was thinking of doing that on mine, it’s White, thanks for the instruction.

 

[Canis]

Looks awesome! Painted Steelies are one of my off-road favorite looks on everything from an old FJ40 LandCruiser to a new Bronco.

As far as AT's on a Hybrid (for whoever eventually does that) i say go for it! It's your ride you modify how you want to! A mild set of AT's on a FWD Hybrid will be absolutely fine. Start tossing on big lifts and a set of Super Swampers (~60lbs each lol) though and that get's a big silly.

 

[EggSalad]

This looks great, I wanted to do this myself, but I have never painted wheels before. I am worried it will look like crap.

 

[uh50]

Directions on painting the XL steel wheels:

You want to pressure wash the rims first to get any debris off then sand it with 600-800 grit sandpaper and the factory silver color comes off very easy.

Then pressure wash again and wipe clean.

Let it dry then place index cards in-between the rim and tire to protect the tires from over spray.

Then just use a rim specific spray paint and put 3-4 coats of paint on.

Nice look and great job painting the wheels. Like the tires and the old school look. Just as WatchYourSix says some Ford silver center caps might just set it off. Speaking of old school, some very thin beauty rings might do the trick as well. Or for a mid 60s look, a thin red line at the rim. Well, maybe the white lettered tires accomplish the same goal of drawing attention to the wheels and tires.

Some of you photo shop genius', when you get bored, might try to add beauty rings and various types of center caps to post here. It would give us old school guys a reference. Just saying.

I also considered aluminum 30 spoke black wheels with a mirror lip, but now will seriously consider painting the wheels. Even adding white lettered tires, iIt will save a ton for me.

Love the look, thanks for posting.

 

[Edge Haley]

I don't think there are any hybrid owners outside of Ford's test mules and media demos.

But regardless, I'd totally slap on a set of A/Ts even if I got a FWD hybrid. I'd even be tempted to put 'em on a set of gloss-black powder coated OEM steelies. But I'd have to draw the line somewhere. I'm sure the steelies are heavier than the alloy wheels, and rotational mass and unsprung weight are not a great idea to increase unnecessarily.

In my opinion, tires are the best bang-for-the-buck improvement that you can do to any vehicle to improve what you want. Heck, people go off roading in Priuses and minivans. I'd be excited to see how far a decent set of A/Ts could get a FWD hybrid Maverick.

I ran A/T tires on 2WD trucks when I lived out in the country. The road to my house was a mile of gravel and crushed rock, and highway tires would experience death by a thousand cuts. A/Ts were much more cut- and chip-resistant.

There's also just the looks. People lower 4x4 trucks and lift 2WD trucks because they want a certain look but don't need the performance or capabilities. Heck even some OEMs offered 2WD off road trucks (Ranger FX2 and Tacoma 2WD TRD Off Road come to mind). Who cares; it's their money, post the builds so more people can get ideas!

I too will add some beefier off road tires to my Hybrid. After seeing the off-road demo of the Ecoboost AWD off-road I'm glad I stuck with the Hybrid. AWD is not 4x4 and was not worth the extra money for AWD just a small advantage for the light off-roads most people will be riding. For me 40 mpg offsets the advantage.

 

[MyXLTisntreadyyet]

Directions on painting the XL steel wheels:

You want to pressure wash the rims first to get any debris off then sand it with 600-800 grit sandpaper and the factory silver color comes off very easy.

Then pressure wash again and wipe clean.

Let it dry then place index cards in-between the rim and tire to protect the tires from over spray.

Then just use a rim specific spray paint and put 3-4 coats of paint on.

Damn! Those look tight!!!

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