Smaller front tires would make a difference I think. I will have to see if I have any and maybe I will switch. I did shoot dullcoat on the wheels to tone them down. About the black, I wanted to stay with the look of the original. I used flat, semi and gloss but I get your point. I did use some dark metal color on the blower and the drive shaft. If you do go ahead with one please lets us see it.