You may have heard that your Lexus, BMW or Infiniti can be customized with a wide range of wheel finishes and coating options. A wide range of aftermarket wheel coating companies has sprung up in response to the growing demand for wheel customization among luxury vehicle owners.
Most aftermarket wheel coating companies use a process called physical vapor desposition (or PVD) to coat their wheels. It is commonly known as PVD Chrome. Although it was originally developed for aerospace applications, it has been used for decades as an alternative to traditional chrome plating in automotive applications.
Many aftermarket wheel coating companies claim their PVD chrome is the best-in-class. It’s no surprise that luxury car owners believe this to be true. However, industry testing and our experience paint a completely different picture.
As we have said in earlier blogs, wheel customization is largely dependent on the preparation of the underlying substrate (i.e. the underlying alloy wheels). This is the target where the material will be placed. For luxury wheels, this target is the aluminum alloy wheel. How that wheel is prepared before application makes a huge difference to how the material is bonded with it.
Both traditional PVD chrome companies and powder coat companies use thick coatings, sometimes as thick as a penny, which are then layered onto the wheels. To make adhesion possible, the wheels are roughened up a little. It takes quite a lot of coating material for a smooth surface. These types of coatings are more vulnerable to chipping because of the thickness of the coating and the fact that it sits on top of the wheel, but doesn’t bond with it.
Our ICE (tm), ultra thin finish technology at Wheel Craft connects to the fiber of the underlying metal; it ties directly to it instead of a coating that merely sits over it. Our ICE finishes are thinner than a piece paper and create an inseparable bond across all surfaces of the wheel. This protective glove offers ultimate protection against:
- Brake dust can cause brake dust to ignite
- Alloy wheel corrosion
- Car wash chemicals
- Salt and seasonal street chemicals
What’s the best decision when you are considering custom wheels for your Lexus, BMW or Infiniti?
We believe that custom wheel finishes from Wheel Craft are the best option. Why? Here are six reasons why
Factory wheels are the best. Our custom wheel finishes are made specifically for factory-installed original wheels. Factory-installed wheels, as the name implies, are made specifically for the vehicle in which they will be installed. To ensure the perfect fit between chassis and wheel, automotive manufacturers spend a lot of time, money, and testing. We don’t believe that installing aftermarket wheels is a smart move.
Prices. Wheel Craft’s custom wheels and rims are comparable to what dealers charge. Online distributors can sell wheel coatings but the quality is often poor and there is rarely warranty support. Wheel Craft offers the best quality at an affordable price if you are leasing or own a luxury vehicle.
Maintenance and cleaning. Your vehicle must look great in every condition. Wheel Craft custom wheel finishes will make your vehicle look great. Our custom ICE finishes are affordable and easy to maintain. To clean them, you only need soap, water, and a soft sponge or car wash cloth. That’s it! There are no expensive chemicals, four-step processes or scratching the clear-coat.
Warranty. Wheel Craft offers an 5-Year Limited Warranty to all Wheel Craft partners. This warranty provides the best protection against damage from road salt and other chemicals.
Easy installation. This seamless and hassle-free process makes it easy to get your custom wheel finish.
You won’t find better customer service anywhere else. Wheel Craft specialists are always available for questions about our products and the status of your orders. You can reach us by phone at any time. We value you and want to keep you as our customer for the rest of your life.
Wheel Craft is the leader in OE wheel finishes. Our patented process for applying our premium ICE finishes meets the high standards of durability, color, and gloss that our customers demand for their luxury wheels. This blog will help you to understand the differences between PVD chrome and our custom wheel finishes. They are the best choice for Lexus, BMW and Infiniti factory-installed luxury wheels. For more information about our custom wheel and wheel finishes for factory-installed luxury cars wheels, visit wheelcraft.com.