It seems like pretty much all wheels available nowadays are either chrome or black. I love chrome but they wouldn't last a winter where I drive. I'm not really into the black wheels either. I really like the KMC wheels but they aren't offerend in a "machined" or "polished" finish which will hold up better I believe.

It looks like only Centerline makes wheels that aren't Chrome or Black. They have a "hi-polished" finish. Does anyone know how these will hold up? They have limited designs to pick from...but if I'm paying over $1000 for wheels I'd want them to last a long time.

What does everyone think? Anyone know of any other options? I've also thought about sandblasting a set of used KMC's and having them powdercoated. Can the alloy that KMC uses be powdercoated?

Thanks!

Never had black or chrome rims, just polished. Stay away from polished, way to much up keep and once they pit you can never get the shine back. If your in the salt belt black rims would handle the abuse the best.

I am sure any metal could be powdercoated. You can also have a polished wheel clear-coated and that will hold up to the weather, and you will never have to polish them. I had a set of cleared polished and brushed wheels on my old F-150.

http://www.tdulgerian.com/diesel/ford_wheel.JPG

Try looking at Walker Evans wheels. I am not sure what style you are after, but they make a machined finish wheel. It is more of a pre-runner looking wheel with beadlocks.

x2 on a clear powdercoat job. Im partial to black wheels myself, and will be switching to those soon but a powdercoat job over an existing finish will definitely be the way to protect it the best.

After doing so research I'm leaning towards polished aluminum and then having them powdercoated clear when they are brand new.

Street3285....is that a clear powdercoat or a sprayed on type of clear coat? Anyone have pics of a powdercoated polished aluminum wheel? Does the clear powdercoat take away some of the shine?

Thanks!

That wheel I posted is clear-coated. And you can't really tell it is on there.

I actually used to work at Budnik Wheels, which they make high-end forged wheels, so this is where my knowledge comes from.

That wheels shown is actually a ceramic clear over the polished, but a powder-coat clear will give you the same effect. Because of the chemical make-up of the ceramic, it has become difficult to spray in CA with all the regulations, so that is why they have switch to a powdercoat.

The clear will take away about 10% of the shine, but from 10 ft. distance you can't really tell. Is is perfect for a daily driver, there is no maintenance. Just hose off with water and wipe dry. The clear will leave a slight, and I mean slight "orange peel" look, but being able to clean them easily is well with it. Again, from 10 ft. back, you can't even tell it is on there. And you never have to polished a wheel again.

For a daily driver I wouldn't think twice. PM me for a great place to buy wheels, my buddy has shop and deals in these types of wheels. Meaning custom made and cleared, etc.... wheel that aren't off the shelf. (But he can get those too)

Hope this helps..... my rambling is over.

http://www.tdulgerian.com/diesel/ford_wheel_2.jpg

Another option is to go with Alcoa wheels with the Dura-bright technology. Here is a link to a video from their website, http://www.alcoa.com/alcoawheels/north_america/en/fsw/wheels/duraBrightVideo.asp

i powdercoated mine to sort of colormatch my truck, i loved those wheels. they held up great and i barely had to wash them off

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii289/mpriceduramax/snow%20white/IMG_1794.jpg

Arnt u susposta b working...hows ur mullet friend?

Desert Rat has a machined finish clearcoat wheel called the "Raton" that looks pretty cool. they are rated at 3200 lbs. www.desertrat.com

Theres always the bronze wheels XD offers?

my black rockstars on our sport trac hold up very well...mud, brake dust, blah blah i dont wash em off much and resist scratching well. if you sand blast them, yes the XD wheels can be powdercoated as far as I know, I have seen a couple guys powercoat them

Another idea, keep your factory wheels for winter and get a nice set of wheels for summer.

Camo dip? Just a thought.

Desert Rat has a machined finish clearcoat wheel called the "Raton" that looks pretty cool. they are rated at 3200 lbs. www.desertrat.com (http://www.desertrat.com)

Are the machined finish wheels hard to keep looking good like polished wheels are?