When Did Black Wheels Become A Fad?
07-02-2013, 05:15 PM
#142
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The question we should be asking is; Why are wheels still painted metallic colors if they are not still made of metal? To me a black, or body color plastic wheel makes more sense than a faux metallic look.
07-02-2013, 11:27 PM
#143
the issue is most wheels now days are not triple chrome plated which makes the chrome finish look less quality. I do not care how much you polish aluminum it looks nothing like triple chrome plating.
that being said black wheels suck unless they have a machined lip like on lemons TA...and I do like the gun metal w/ machine lip alot(Chaman).
that being said black wheels suck unless they have a machined lip like on lemons TA...and I do like the gun metal w/ machine lip alot(Chaman).
I don't care for black wheels on 90+% of vehicles I see... And I don't like ALL black.
But done right, black with a polished lip looks awesome IMO.
07-02-2013, 11:55 PM
#144
Nobody makes a plastic wheel. Steel wheels with plastic hubcaps on cheap cars yes, but even then a lot of automakers are going away from this and offering aluminum wheels standard(I know this is true on the $21,000 base model Accord).
As for body colored wheels, I generally HATE them. Most people who do body colored wheels get them in one or two sizes too big for the car with 20 series tires, 22" wheels on a Ferrari or Vette look retarded, same type of guys would try and stuff a 24" wheel under something like a BMW 7 series and thinks it looks good.
07-12-2013, 12:03 AM
#148
I've been a tool & die maker for 35 years and I specialize in the utmost detail, with 10 times the knowledge most people have about metals. So don't tell me they don't look the same because they do when aluminum is polished right. Aluminum is one of the most lustrous metals on the face of the earth, right up there with chromium (chrome plating) in luster.
Last edited by RedHotG8; 07-12-2013 at 12:11 AM.
07-12-2013, 12:18 PM
#149
Even the highest quality polishing job in aluminum does not look like chrome, sorry you are wrong. The shine is deeper and darker than chrome, now that really comes to me as a very asinine comment. Highly polished aluminum has its own distinctive look. Chrome looks cheap, it may not be cheap but it looks cheap, but is also easy to keep looking good if you like the look.
Highest end wheel manufacturers offer chrome because they will cover all the finishes possible to gather the biggest amount of possible customers, its just a business decision. Do not use that to support your argument because its meaningless in what its been discussed here.
Chrome is makes a wheel heavier, not by much but indeed they do. With guy concerned about weight they are usually not consider and plain aluminum is preferred, every ounce count. So to you my friend and BTW, nice attitude.
And here is my lowly gunmetal painted/polished aluminum lip turd for you to feel to criticize and abuse:
Good day, sir.
Highest end wheel manufacturers offer chrome because they will cover all the finishes possible to gather the biggest amount of possible customers, its just a business decision. Do not use that to support your argument because its meaningless in what its been discussed here.
Chrome is makes a wheel heavier, not by much but indeed they do. With guy concerned about weight they are usually not consider and plain aluminum is preferred, every ounce count. So
to you my friend and BTW, nice attitude.And here is my lowly gunmetal painted/polished aluminum lip turd for you to feel to criticize and abuse:
Good day, sir.
07-13-2013, 09:44 PM
#150
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My car had a set of chrome knock-off Firehawk wheels when I bought it. They're not in the best of shape. The coating is peeling off in the barrel and will probably start peeling off in the bolt holes soon. I'm planning on sanding them down and painting them gloss black. Does anyone have black Firehawk (real or knock-off) wheels on their car?
07-24-2013, 03:04 PM
#154
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It is a fad. In fact, its the definition of Fad.
fad
/fad/
Noun
An intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, esp. one that is short-lived; a craze.
Synonyms
whim - caprice - vagary - fancy - crotchet
Not saying I don't like the look on the right car, but its is a fad. With the exception of polished and chrome, most wheel finishes are a fad. Similar to clothes. Just my .02.
Not hating, just sayin'.
fad
/fad/
Noun
An intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, esp. one that is short-lived; a craze.
Synonyms
whim - caprice - vagary - fancy - crotchet
Not saying I don't like the look on the right car, but its is a fad. With the exception of polished and chrome, most wheel finishes are a fad. Similar to clothes. Just my .02.
Not hating, just sayin'.
07-25-2013, 12:31 AM
#157
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I've been a tool & die maker for 35 years and
I specialize in the utmost detail, with 10 times the knowledge most people
have about metals. So don't tell me they don't look the same because they
do when aluminum is polished right. Aluminum is one of the most lustrous
metals on the face of the earth, right up there with chromium (chrome
plating) in luster.
I specialize in the utmost detail, with 10 times the knowledge most people
have about metals. So don't tell me they don't look the same because they
do when aluminum is polished right. Aluminum is one of the most lustrous
metals on the face of the earth, right up there with chromium (chrome
plating) in luster.
of your profession? Is that a remote possibly sir?
And I have never seen aluminum shine like something chrome plated. I've seen
dang close but if you actually use the aluminum the upkeep would be 100x the
chrome finish to maintain it. My first set of aftermarket wheels were polished.
I've never owned another set since. Every car I drive currently (3) has chrome
wheels, and for good reason.
EDIT: No scroll reading for your pleasure!!
As far as the black, on a select few cars it is downright sex, for 99% of others, its a stupid fad.
07-25-2013, 12:33 AM
#158
Like most I think black wheels look good on certain rides. I honestly wasn't a big fan of them until I said screw it lets see what they look like when I refinished my Hamann's, after doing them......I don't think I'll go back (at least on this car)
Barrels are painted Fine Bright Aluminum, Centers Ebony Black. I was 50/50 on them until I mounted them up, then I loved em', but again it's the car they are on. I'm also generally not a fan of solid color wheels (I like polished lips at least) but decided to go with a matte black SRT10 style wheel on a customers Charger and I think it fits the car nicely:
Barrels are painted Fine Bright Aluminum, Centers Ebony Black. I was 50/50 on them until I mounted them up, then I loved em', but again it's the car they are on. I'm also generally not a fan of solid color wheels (I like polished lips at least) but decided to go with a matte black SRT10 style wheel on a customers Charger and I think it fits the car nicely:
Last edited by 1FSTZ71; 07-25-2013 at 12:38 AM.
07-26-2013, 08:29 PM
#159
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Some look good, others don't...but they've been around for years. I can remember Honda had factory one's on some civics back in the 80's. For me, I painted my p/u truck wheels black because I lost the beauty rings over the years and the silver paint was starting to get rusty. The black paint is cheap, it is easy to maintain and if I have to do a quick touch up...a little overspray isn't so obvious.
07-26-2013, 09:06 PM
#160
Do ya think maybe, just maybe, you could be the smallest bit biased because
of your profession? Is that a remote possibly sir?
And I have never seen aluminum shine like something chrome plated. I've seen
dang close but if you actually use the aluminum the upkeep would be 100x the
chrome finish to maintain it. My first set of aftermarket wheels were polished.
I've never owned another set since. Every car I drive currently (3) has chrome
wheels, and for good reason.
EDIT: No scroll reading for your pleasure!!
As far as the black, on a select few cars it is downright sex, for 99% of others, its a stupid fad.
of your profession? Is that a remote possibly sir?
And I have never seen aluminum shine like something chrome plated. I've seen
dang close but if you actually use the aluminum the upkeep would be 100x the
chrome finish to maintain it. My first set of aftermarket wheels were polished.
I've never owned another set since. Every car I drive currently (3) has chrome
wheels, and for good reason.
EDIT: No scroll reading for your pleasure!!
As far as the black, on a select few cars it is downright sex, for 99% of others, its a stupid fad.
Exactly. I have seen aluminum pieces DEEPLY and PROFESSIONALLY polished and the shine is very reflective but is different from the chrome finish.