From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Custom wheel
Custom wheel
Activity Primary characteristics considered
Automobile racing Weight
Drag racing Width (for traction)
Rally Strength
Street driving Visual appeal, weight (gas mileage)
Touring car racing and au- Weight, width (less tire flex for better cornering performance)
tocrossing
Multi-purpose Strength, visual appeal, weight, width, achieved by maintaining multiple sets of
wheels
The term custom wheel refers to the wheels of a vehicle to it. Silver and black painted wheels are the most com-
which have either been modified from the vehicle manu- mon painted finishes. Painted wheels are protected with
facturer’s standard or have replaced the manufacturer’s a clear coat.[2]
standard.
Physics
Uses At some point, the performance advantage of larger
Custom wheels are one of the most common ways in wheels and reduced-profile tires meets the performance
which automobile enthusiasts customize their vehicles. disadvantage of increased inertia and increased un-
Competition-oriented enthusiasts typically switch to sprung weight. This point varies depending on the ve-
lighter, stronger, or larger wheels, while appearance-ori- hicle, style of wheel, and driving style; however, most
ented enthusiasts more often choose larger and more vi- vehicles do not see a performance increase when rims
sually distinctive wheels, inspired by those seen in hip- are more than two sizes larger than original-equipment
hop videos. specifications. Appearance-oriented enthusiasts may feel
The most-desirable characteristics of custom wheels that decreased performance and an increased risk of road
vary with owner’s goals: damage from the use of oversized rims is a worthwhile
price to pay for the look they want.
Popularity
Custom wheels are increasing in popularity year after
Theft
year. Nearly one-third of all new-vehicle buyers cus- Newer aftermarket rims may be worth thousands of dol-
tomize their vehicles with custom wheels.[1] lars. Owners use special lug nuts, called wheel locks, to
secure them, although it renders the vehicle difficult to
Finishes service, and there are doubts as to how well the locks
thwart determined thieves.
Custom wheels come in many different finishes. The
most common custom wheel finishes are Chrome, Pol-
ished and Painted. Chrome wheels consist of traditional
See also
chrome plating as well as the new process of PVD (Phys- • Dub (wheel)
ical Vapor Deposition) Chrome. PVD chrome wheels are • DUB Magazine
protected with a clear coat and are now being introduced • Alloy wheel
by several wheel companies. Polished wheels are simply
aluminum wheels that have been polished to a shine. Pol-
ished wheels may or may not be protected by a clear coat.
References
Polished wheels that do not have a clear coat are prone to [1] http://www.sema.org/sema-enews/2010/35/
oxidation and may require periodic polishing to maintain wheels-accessories
its finish. Painted wheels come in many different colors [2] http://www.customwheelsexpress.com/
and may also have a machined surface incorporated in- wheel_finishes.php
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Custom wheel
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Custom_wheel&oldid=473955138"
Categories:
• Automotive accessories
• Vehicle modification
• Wheels
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