Has anyone tried powder coating the OEM forged FL5 wheels?

[shijima_ending]

I'm dead set on replacing my stock wheels with the OEM forged ones. They match so perfectly to what I'm trying to do with the car which is to be OEM+. But my issue is that I have a Sonic Grey Pearl FL5, and I'm REALLY indifferent to the gunmetal on grey/green pearlescent. In my opinion it just looks awkward. At times like these I wish I had any other color FL5.

Here are some pics with OEM forged wheels on a SGP FL5:


https://dc5rparts.com/products/authentic-honda-civic-type-r-fl5-oem-19-forged-wheels-08w19-t60-100

Has anyone tried powder coating these? Ideally I would just go with black but I'm not sure if it would be matte or glossy.

If anyone has pics, please send them!! Or if anyone feels like photoshopping some of those pics with different color wheels that would also be really appreciated. Thanks!

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[AZCWTypeR]

Powder coating bake temperatures can negatively effect aluminum properties. If you go that route, make sure it's an outfit specializing in aluminum coating.

Personally I'd go with a two part paint. Less prep and way more color options.

 

[Clark_Kent]

I know this is a little off-topic from what you asked, but honestly I think the OEM forged wheels work well on all the standard FL5 colors, including SGP. My bigger issue with them is the +60 offset. They sit too tucked for the FL5’s body lines and the fitment just looks off to me.

That said, I personally wouldn’t spend OEM forged wheel money just to powder coat them a different color afterward. At that point, I’d probably look at a different wheel altogether that already has the finish and fitment I want.

 

[artsyfartsyFL5]

There was a member in this group on FB I'm in who was selling his set of OEM forged wheels powdercoated CW. They were dirty as hell from the photos he posted, but it didn't look too bad on a CW FL5. I personally like the color paired with SGP.

I'm also planning on getting these wheels for my FL5.

 

[shijima_ending]

Thanks guys. Good to at least get some validation that the gunmetal on SGP may not be a bad combo..

 

[jcb]

My bigger issue with them is the +60 offset. They sit too tucked for the FL5’s body lines and the fitment just looks off to me.

The +60 is so that the front suspension has little to no torque steer.
Having tried the Forged OEM wheels and some other more common Forged 18" wheels with 200 track tires with a "better" stance, the +60 DROVE superiorly to me because I don't like torque steer.

So, as I bought the car to drive it, I LOVE the +60 offset. Say whatever you want about this, it is geometry/math and you cannot say it is not true, you can just decide how much it matters to you. Cosmetics - sure another offset looks perhaps better, but in terms of form follows function, these are amazing wheels.

I use them on my car and have zero regrets and could buy/afford any of the wheels posted here, the varous specs, etc. Rays, etc., etc. etc.

That being said, on the HRC touring car option, they violate this offest to get a wider bit of rubber down....traction>torque steer for racing purposes....better braking perhaps too...

So nothing I said above is absolute...it is about what matters to you. I suspect I'd be able to manage the HRC option quite well too...but it would have a lot more torque steer. And for now, I am quite happy with the optmized geometry the +60 gives you.

 

[Clark_Kent]

The +60 is so that the front suspension has little to no torque steer.
Having tried the Forged OEM wheels and some other more common Forged 18" wheels with 200 track tires with a "better" stance, the +60 DROVE superiorly to me because I don't like torque steer.

So, as I bought the car to drive it, I LOVE the +60 offset. Say whatever you want about this, it is geometry/math and you cannot say it is not true, you can just decide how much it matters to you. Cosmetics - sure another offset looks perhaps better, but in terms of form follows function, these are amazing wheels.

I use them on my car and have zero regrets and could buy/afford any of the wheels posted here, the varous specs, etc. Rays, etc., etc. etc.

That being said, on the HRC touring car option, they violate this offest to get a wider bit of rubber down....traction>torque steer for racing purposes....better braking perhaps too...

So nothing I said above is absolute...it is about what matters to you. I suspect I'd be able to manage the HRC option quite well too...but it would have a lot more torque steer. And for now, I am quite happy with the optmized geometry the +60 gives you.

Yep, I'm aware. I don’t think anyone is arguing the engineering intent behind the +60 offset. Honda clearly prioritized scrub radius, steering feel, and stability under power. That’s not really up for debate.

Where I disagree is the implication that moving away from +60 automatically turns the car into some torque-steering mess. In the real world, plenty of FL5 owners are running properly spec’d 18x9.5 +45 or +38 setups with quality tires and alignment, including on track, without the car suddenly becoming undriveable. The chassis is good enough that it tolerates moderate deviation from OEM geometry well.

To me, this is more about understanding tradeoffs. Yes, +60 is likely the most “optimized” from a pure engineering standpoint. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the universally best enthusiast fitment. And candidly, I think some people overstate the torque steer argument to justify a fitment they already prefer aesthetically or financially. You can absolutely improve stance and wheel presence on the FL5 without meaningfully compromising the driving experience for 95% of owners. Even Honda themselves acknowledged that when they pushed outward on the HRC setup.

All things considered, if someone is a dyed in the wool OEM geometry preservationist, +60 is the only choice. I just don’t think it’s accurate to frame every lower offset as objectively inferior from a performance perspective.

 

[EtotheD]

I rock them on my SGP FL5 as my winter wheels with 20mm spacers. I think the color combo is great plus they are lighter.

 

[FL5HondaGuy]

With the spacers those forged wheels look nice.

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