Post 1900's, the aftermarket for cars' wheels and rims has become huge. Everyone wants to customize their car with the latest and trendiest set of wheels. You car can look more trendy within minutes of installing the latest set of custom wheels and rims. But selecting the right one is extremely important.
Types of custom wheels and rims
There are many different types of wheels and rims that you can find in the market. But not every one of them is designed for your car. You can get everything from the basic 5 spoke ally wheels to the more advanced chrome spinning wheels, which are a fad nowadays.
Appearance - Alloy and Steel
If you are just concerned about the appearance, then select the custom wheels and rims that you feel will suit your car the best. But if you are looking at racing, then choose an ally wheel as it is much lighter and will give your car the power it desires. Steel rims are much heavier and will slow down your vehicle. Alloy is also good for city traffic and prevents over heating of the brake system.
Installing larger than factory custom wheels and rims will give your car or SUV a sporty look. Find a one that matches the bolt pattern of the car. Ask the sales person at the store to choose the right offset for your vehicle. If this is not correct it will lead to problems in handling and steering of the vehicle.
Pricing
If you pay less, you will end up compromising on quality. If you go for slightly expensive wheels and rims, then you will get the look as well as the quality that you want. In comparison to brick and mortar stores, prices at the online stores are very less. The advantage of buying wheels and rims at the brick and mortar stores is that you can see, touch and have a feel of your custom wheels and rims.
It is not hard to choose the right wheel and rim for your car if you are know what you want and aware of the choices available.
by : Barney Garcia
30. Customize Your Car With Wheels And Rims
Why People Want Chrome Rims
Chrome rims are made with the intention to get attention. It works real well. Shove a set on your vehicle and see if I’m right. In my opinion you will never get the looks with silver or other painted finishes on custom wheels as you will get from chrome rims.
You just washed and waxed your car and its looking pretty good but wait! There’s the courier truck pulling in with the new chrome rims you ordered online. Your heart's pounding as you take one out of the packaging and see your surroundings in the shiny mirrored chrome finish. You put everything else on hold as you load the wheels in your vehicle and run down to your local shop to get them mounted.
You back your car out of the shop’s bay and you get out looking at your new chrome rims in the light of the sun. You are wowed by the improvement in your vehicle’s new look. You jump in your vehicle and head where? Of course to the most populated street in your town, to show off those beautiful shiny chrome rims. Does your vehicle get the looks you were hoping for? Yea Baby! Wait! Is that a group of young ladies in front of the library? Will they notice your vehicle with its shiny new jewelry? As you get closer one of their heads turn and then a finger points at your vehicle and then all their heads turn to look at your pride and joy. Then their eyes leave the vehicle to see who is driving this fine piece of machinery. You give them a smile and they smile back with admiration. Is that not the reason you bought the chrome rims in the first place, to be admired.
The Ladies Like Chrome Rims Too!
Hold on before the ladies out there get peeved at me for mentioning chrome rims as if only men can own them. More and more young women want the admirable looks from owning a set of custom wheels. The larger custom wheels available today seem to have taken over the 13, 14,15 and 16 inch original equipment. Larger rims and less rubber look good. When it comes to chrome rims, the men will agree with the women, “Bigger is better".
Be careful when buying used wheels and placing them on your vehicle as not only the bolt pattern but the offset must match your vehicle. The wrong offset can cause handling problems with your vehicle.
I know getting a set of chrome rims at a cheap price is at the top of most custom wheel seekers list. Please don’t compromise quality for cheap or you will be throwing your money away. It can happen but most quality rims keep the chrome on and not blistering and peeling off.
Keep your chrome rims clean and dry to lengthen the good appearance of your custom wheels because hey, that’s why you got them. Use the manufacturer’s advice on how to clean your rims but usually use liquid dish soap in warm water and a soft cloth to clean them. Rinse off any heavy soil first so it does not scratch them. Never use any abrasive pads or brush to clean your rims as this may scratch them and over time those scratches will add up. Be careful of abrasive cleaners and waxes. Never clean your rims after a lengthy drive, make sure the rims have cooled. If not it can cause permanent spots on your rim finish.
by : Ken Bishop
Chrome Rims: Add Some Attitude To Your Vehicle
Did you ever wonder why some vehicles have the natural ability to stand out from the rest of the pack? Did you ever wonder how these cars differ from the rest? Did you ever wonder why vehicles on car shows are very attractive even if you have stared on it for several hours? And with all the wondering and awe, did you ever realize that there is one car part, or we can say car accessory that completes the overall package of any vehicle.
In a car show or car show competition for instance, you can notice that almost every vehicle particularly those that are designed for exterior category have one thing in common: they all look totally beautiful. There are vehicles that are coated with special paints to project a more stunning look. There are even some that are painted with exotic images. There are those that are dressed with body kits. There are those that are installed with lift kits or lowering kits. But among all these extra fabrications and extra accessories, one accessory is almost indispensable: the chrome rims.
First, you have to know that chrome rims and aluminum wheels are two different things. Aluminum wheel are usually made from finished metal with dull silver finish. There are also aluminum wheels with shiny black finish. But this is very rare. Aluminum wheels eliminate the need for wheel covers and hubcaps since they can stand alone on the vehicle without the incompleteness of the looks. They are more expensive than the wheel covers and hubcaps but cheaper than chrome rims.
Chrome rims on the other hand come with shiny wheels finish and are used by most car owner because it provide a different effect to the vehicle. Chrome rims make vehicle sharper, more expensive, and look faster.
Chrome rims are set of wheels that have become very popular to those who want to add spark to their vehicle. Since old factory wheels tend to look boring and lifeless, the addition of chrome rims makes the vehicle look livelier. And if getting noticed is all you wanted, chrome rims will definitely do the job.
Chrome wheels could be acquired in two ways. You can request your car dealer to trade the existing factory wheels with new set of chrome wheels since most new cars are released with aluminum wheels. And, you can also buy chrome wheels as an added option from aftermarket manufacturer.
The good thing about chrome rims is, you can get chrome rims for every type of vehicle. You can now replace your existing wheels whether you own a car, truck, pickup, SUV, or a van.
Some OEM manufacturers have set of chrome wheels designed for a particular vehicle make of a vehicle model. There are also those that are made generic for general fit. Sizes also vary. Chrome rims could be 15” and 16” or 17” and 18” for larger vehicles such as SUVs and pickups.
With exchange for more beauty comes the price. Normally, chrome rims are worth higher than ordinary wheels or wheel covers. One chrome rim could cost several hundreds of dollars; even thousands. Multiply that with the number of your tires could cost you almost as much as another brand new vehicle. But in spite of the price, the attitude and style each chrome rim produce is worth all the money.
By Robert Thatcher
Chrome Rims - Redefining Glamour and Style
Have you ever given a thought why some vehicles cause you to stare or why the cars in a car show draw glances of the spectators. Graphic images on the vehicle body and special paints make the exterior look amazingly beautiful. Besides, there are vehicles donned with lowering kits or lift kits. Style and design do create an impact but there is one accessory that creates the bedazzling effect- the chrome rims. In fact, this accessory has the power to change the overall makeup of a vehicle. With chrome rims, you can actually get rid off the erstwhile boring look to infuse your vehicle with a new stylish and sparkling attitude.
Chrome rims are the latest innovation to hit the market in recent years. However, its use and functions must not be confused with aluminum wheels. More expensive than chrome rims, aluminum wheels are derived from finished metals with a dull silver finish. Aluminum wheels with glossy black finish are also available. Wheel covers and hubcaps can be done away with when using aluminum wheels as the latter can carry the look of the vehicle intact without even a hint of incompleteness.
Nevertheless, these carry an edge over their aluminum counterpart in case of the overall look and projection. The shiny wheel finish offers a completely unique effect besides making it look keener, expensive and faster. Chrome rims should be cleaned and dried properly to maintain its appearance. The cleaning process should be initiated after reading the manufacturer's instructions. Use of abrasive materials should be avoided to retain the glossy effect.
The popularity of chrome rims soared high as more and more people showed an increasing desire to glam up their vehicles. These accessories can really put life in an old car. The buyers now even have the option to request their car dealers to put chrome rims in their new vehicles instead of aluminum wheels. Be it a car, truck, motor home or SUV, chrome rims are available for almost every type of vehicle.
As regards expense, high quality chrome rims are a bit expensive, with prices even crossing $3,000. Cheap wheels of chrome are also available but its better not to compromise on quality as they can peel off easily in no time. Spending a few extra dollars will not only ensure quality but also add the sparkling effect that you had vouchsafed for. Redefining style and glamour, chrome rims are here to stay.
By Wain Roy
Custom-Rims
How to maintain your valuable custom-rims at a lesser cost?
One of the extremely popular parts in any car is the custom rim. Due to their eye catching appeal, ease of upkeep, and the very unique look, they are really worth investing on. Custom rims will help give your car, truck, or SUV that extraordinary look that sets it apart.
Rim is widely used term rather than wheels even if the term "rim" is incorrect because the rim is only a portion of a wheel, just as with a coffee cup or meteor crater. Rims have a great deal of variation, and these are often very shiny. Some include a bearing-mounted, free-spinning disc which continues to rotate by inertia after the automobile is stopped. These are referred to as "Spinners" in slang.
These decorative ornaments also known as spinners spin independently inside of a wheel itself when the vehicle is in motion, and continue to spin once the vehicle has come to a stop. To isolate the spinner from the wheel, allowing it to turn while the wheel is at rest, spinners operate by using one or more roller bearings. The own momentum of spinners helps it overcome what little friction is transmitted through the bearing. The small amount of friction transmitted through the bearing sets the spinner in motion, when the car is in motion.
Because you have invested in a product of the highest quality and workmanship, and would most likely enjoy keeping them that way. These wheels that are custom made do require care to maintain their usual appearance. The suggested reasonable steps to protect your investment include regular cleaning. The usual road dirt traps moisture, which causes oxidization over a long period of time. The brake dust, caused by friction of automobiles braking system, try checking if it is corrosive, and can cause pitting of the wheels finish. The dirt or soil must be removed in a regular basis, depending on the driver's driving habit, weekly removing of this grime is much recommended.
Another one is the use of proper cleaning agents in cleaning your wheels. To clean your wheels, it is recommended using a mild dishwashing soap and water. Keep in mind that your wheels finish should be treated as you would treat the finish of your car. Nowadays, most household cleaning agents are too harsh for the finish of your wheels, and must be avoided. There are so many commercially and readily available wheel cleaners on the market today, but it is strongly advisable to have extreme caution when using them, since they tend to be acid or lye based.
Also, when the wheel cooled down it is a much better idea to clean them at that situation than when your wheels are still in heat after driving. It is normal that driving will heat your car's wheels, sometimes into excessive ranges. But it is best to take primary precautions, as cold water introduced onto a superheated wheel, will ultimately cause scarring and or pitting of the finish.
Some of the additional tips; never clean your wheels with scouring pads or dense metal polishes to prevent scratching of the wheels finishes. And if you use automatic car washes, tell them not to use steam cleaners or strong chemicals to clean your wheels because they can cause permanent staining or corrosion. Always observe proper care when cleaning tires with steel wool or a bristle brush.
If these types of abrasive materials come in contact with the wheels, they might damage the appearance of the wheel permanently. Also, never spray cold water on extremely hot wheels. Lastly, before cleaning your rims with soap and water, always allow time to cool. And that is the proper way of cleaning your precious car's wheels.
by: David H. Urmann
Chrome Rims
Chrome rims are the most popular rims available today. Chrome wheels add a touch of class to a car and provide the ultimate upgrade to any car, new or used. Many car aficionados choose to add chrome rims to their vehicles. Chrome rims are also designed to suit other vehicles such as motorcycles.
Chrome rims are polished with a chrome mirror finish that shines in the light. They undergo a multi-step chrome plating process. Rims made from cast aluminum can be easily transformed into chrome rims. In addition to standard silver, chrome rims are available in black chrome.
Chrome rims must be carefully chosen according to the type of vehicle. The weight of the chrome rims must be proportional to the vehicle’s weight. Any difference in the weight ratio affects the car’s performance. The maximum load rating of the rim must be compatible with the vehicle it is to be used on. The holes for the lugs on the chrome rims must match the lugs on the vehicle's tires.
Chrome rims can be installed either by exchanging an existing wheel rim of the vehicle with chrome rims, or by plating the existing wheels with chrome. The process of chrome plating is quite simple. The wheels are cleaned to remove dirt and grime.
The wheel surface is plated with copper and polished to ensure a smooth surface. A layer of nickel is then added followed by a layer of chromium, which creates the shiny appearance.
Chrome rims are easy to clean and only require an application of chrome polish and buffing. Care should be taken to avoid contact with road salt during winter months, as salt could damage the chrome finish.
Chrome rims aren’t cheap and the good looks do come at a cost. Chrome rims cost between $200-$500 each for lower-end rims. At the upper end of the price scale, the cost of a chrome rim can be as high as several thousand dollars.
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