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
Custom-Rims
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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