Wheel Types
Alloy Wheels
Steel Wheels - Typically found behind plastic wheel covers
Finishes
Painted |
Machined |
| The most common of all wheels are painted and they come in a wide variety of designs. Painted wheels are sprayed with an automotive-style paint using an HVLP (High Velocity Low Pressure) spraygun. The process of painting a wheel consists of prepping the wheel, priming it, painting it and applying a clearcoat, which seals the finish against corrosion. |
You can always tell machined wheels by the thin lines cut into the aluminum surface, during the construction of the wheel. The lines, which resemble those of a CD, are sometimes so fine that they are nearly undetectable. The lines are what produce the rainbow effect that is customary with machined surfaces. Only the outermost surface of the wheel is machined and, on some machined wheels only a portion of the wheel is machined. |
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Polished |
Chrome |
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| The most difficult of all wheel styles to identify are polished. They are generally very expensive and are constructed of the highest quality material. Some polished finishes resemble painted finishes while others resemble chrome. Most chrome wheels finishes resemble those of a kitchen faucet, most of which are also chrome. Polished wheels have a lighter look and not all are clear-coated. Polished wheels that are not clear-coated have a much higher luster but they require a great deal of maintenance. You will never see a metallic sparkle on polished wheels when viewed in bright sunlight. |
The surface of chrome wheels is the most durable of all finishes. Although the chrome finish is thin, it is very strong and resistant to damage. However, in the colder climates, chrome has a tendency to peel from salted roads along with the freezing and thawing of water. Most chrome wheels finishes resemble those of a kitchen faucet, most of which are also chrome. Some chrome wheels are actually cladding construction. |
