Hi All -
Long time reader, first time poster here....I am in love with my MY, recently drove it from North NJ to HHI, SC. One thing I went back and forth on when purchasing were the wheels. I have the base 19" Gemini with the ugly wheel covers. I told myself at time of purchase, they were better all season tires, probably slightly better for range (based on what I read), and cheaper to replace. So overall the 19" tires would lower the total cost of ownership. At the time, this made sense to me. Then Elon gave us all an extra 10 miles of range and mellowed out the regen braking. Boy did I have mixed feelings when that happened. Time heels all wounds, they say, and I am still in love.
Getting back on track, I have spent a LOT of time thinking about these wheel covers. I watch a LOT of tesla videos. Lucky for me, my wife is forgiving. Charging in HHI, I saw a MX with the WORST curb rash/wheel rash I have ever seen. This seems to be a pretty prevalent problem. Even I have a little rash. I was pissed that day...Don't get me started.
Ok, getting back on track, I had an idea I wanted to socialize. Not trying to make money here, so not really worried if someone wants to steel this idea and do it themselves (I will happily be a customer). So here it is, tell me what you think? Maybe we can make this together?
19" Gemini tires allegedly lose up to 7-8% of range (high speed) without the wheel covers (or so one tesla video says, you probably know the one I am talking about). So I prefer to keep the covers. Painting the covers, you still have the rim showing. Painting the rim is annoying and it will rub off. If you did want to do all of this, there are lots of videos from those who have, will take lots of time, lots of coats, and you will just have to do it again down the road. Beat up rims stand out. Sure you can get bands, and hopefully they don't fall off and do damage. Also, doing all this stuff adds up $$$ (so probably should have just gotten cooler wheels to start).
So what if....Yeah, I am finally getting there. there was a replacement wheel cover in the desired matte black finish that ALSO covered the rim? TaDa! that's the big idea, a freaken replacement wheel cover, that is the exact same as the current wheel cover BUT all matte black and with an added "lip" (of sorts) that would cover and protect the rim of the 19" Gemini.
I assume a lot of effort went into the design of the current cover, that is why I would want to keep it exactly the same. Just change the color and add something to also cover, and protect, the rim. My idea of how to do this would start by getting the current cover 3D scanned and made into a CAD drawing for 3D printing. Adding the lip in the CAD drawing before getting one printed, and then figuring out how to get them produced (either by 3D printing or creating a mold). Admittedly I don't know much about production/manufacturing. Maybe I will send Elon a tweet (kidding).
OK, send me your thoughts. Oh and nice meeting you all.
Long time reader, first time poster here....I am in love with my MY, recently drove it from North NJ to HHI, SC. One thing I went back and forth on when purchasing were the wheels. I have the base 19" Gemini with the ugly wheel covers. I told myself at time of purchase, they were better all season tires, probably slightly better for range (based on what I read), and cheaper to replace. So overall the 19" tires would lower the total cost of ownership. At the time, this made sense to me. Then Elon gave us all an extra 10 miles of range and mellowed out the regen braking. Boy did I have mixed feelings when that happened. Time heels all wounds, they say, and I am still in love.
Getting back on track, I have spent a LOT of time thinking about these wheel covers. I watch a LOT of tesla videos. Lucky for me, my wife is forgiving. Charging in HHI, I saw a MX with the WORST curb rash/wheel rash I have ever seen. This seems to be a pretty prevalent problem. Even I have a little rash. I was pissed that day...Don't get me started.
Ok, getting back on track, I had an idea I wanted to socialize. Not trying to make money here, so not really worried if someone wants to steel this idea and do it themselves (I will happily be a customer). So here it is, tell me what you think? Maybe we can make this together?
19" Gemini tires allegedly lose up to 7-8% of range (high speed) without the wheel covers (or so one tesla video says, you probably know the one I am talking about). So I prefer to keep the covers. Painting the covers, you still have the rim showing. Painting the rim is annoying and it will rub off. If you did want to do all of this, there are lots of videos from those who have, will take lots of time, lots of coats, and you will just have to do it again down the road. Beat up rims stand out. Sure you can get bands, and hopefully they don't fall off and do damage. Also, doing all this stuff adds up $$$ (so probably should have just gotten cooler wheels to start).
So what if....Yeah, I am finally getting there. there was a replacement wheel cover in the desired matte black finish that ALSO covered the rim? TaDa! that's the big idea, a freaken replacement wheel cover, that is the exact same as the current wheel cover BUT all matte black and with an added "lip" (of sorts) that would cover and protect the rim of the 19" Gemini.
I assume a lot of effort went into the design of the current cover, that is why I would want to keep it exactly the same. Just change the color and add something to also cover, and protect, the rim. My idea of how to do this would start by getting the current cover 3D scanned and made into a CAD drawing for 3D printing. Adding the lip in the CAD drawing before getting one printed, and then figuring out how to get them produced (either by 3D printing or creating a mold). Admittedly I don't know much about production/manufacturing. Maybe I will send Elon a tweet (kidding).
OK, send me your thoughts. Oh and nice meeting you all.
