Rims - What to Look For and Proper Care

Nothing complements a great looking suit than an equally great looking pair of shoes and quality rims will do the same for your car.

However, there's a lot to consider when shopping for rims like: size, style, material and durability.

There are plenty of choices when it comes to aftermarket rims and - while none are particularly better than another - there are advantages and disadvantages to each type.

Steel - These are the most common type of rims you can buy. They're made up of a steel outer rim and a steel center. Steel rims can be either painted or chrome plated for a distinctive shine. The advantages of steel rims are the durability and the cost. Steel rims are relatively tough, yet inexpensive.

The downside to steel is the corrosion factor. Steel wheels need constant attention to maintain their looks and to help keep rust from setting in. That being the case, these wheels are best used for show purposes, rather than daily driving.

Steel/Composite - These wheels are made from a steel rim and a cast aluminum center. The advantages of these rims are a bit of savings in the weight department and the ability to add flair to the center of the wheel. The majority of steel/composite rims are chrome plated, which makes caring for them a bit tedious.

1 Piece Cast Aluminum - This represents the most common type of aftermarket rim sold today. It comes in plenty of styles and the wheels can be painted, machined or chrome plated. Another advantage of all aluminum is the weight savings as opposed to steel or steel/composites. Also, aluminum is fairly resistant to corrosion and it's easier to maintain its appearance.

Forged - Forged wheels are the lightest you can buy because the wheel is made from less material than a 1-piece cast. Wheels of this type can also be painted, machined, or chrome plated. However, because of the manufacturing process, these wheels are on the expensive side of the scale.

Billet - Billet rims are made of 2-piece billet aluminum, and like the steel wheels, they're made up of a rim and centerpiece. The advantage to this design is strength. Because the rim and center are pressed and then welded together, the wheels are much stronger than cast centers. These wheels come in some pretty awesome designs, but you're pretty much stuck with the color. You could paint them, but it really looks trashy, and the manufacturing process makes chrome plating difficult.

3-Piece Aluminum - Rims of this style are sometimes called modular wheels because the rim is made up of 2 pieces. The center can either be cast, forged or billet. The manufacturing process allows for radical styling, but also makes chrome plating a real chore.

Proper Care

If your kit car is mainly just for shows then regular cleaning will be enough to keep your rims looking like new.

However, if you're going to be out on the road, then you're going to want to take the time to keep your wheels looking hot.

Chrome plated rims look great, but as stated earlier, can be a chore to keep that way. Brake dust, road grime and water can create moisture traps that will pit the chrome and cause corrosion over time.

It's best to give chrome rims a good, weekly cleaning. Avoid using household cleaning agents like bleach because they're simply too harsh. You can do a good job with water and a mild dishwashing soap. Or go to the auto parts store and get a good, commercial chrome cleaner. Be sure to follow the directions because many of these cleaners contain acid or lye, which can be tough on chrome.

You should also take care to clean your chrome rims when they're cool. Driving causes wheels to get hot, and when cold water is used, it can cause the chrome to pit, which eventually leads to flaking. Once that happens, you'll have to have the rim re-chromed.

Aluminum rims don't need quite the amount of attention that chrome rims do, but there are some things to know before you dive in.

If your aluminum rims are clear coated then you won't want to use an aluminum polish on them.

As with chrome, a good, weekly cleaning with mild soap and water should be enough to keep them in shape.

The Bottom Line

Rims really are the icing on the cake. Hot rims can make an average car look better, and no matter how sick your paint is, dull rims will bring the whole package down.