Wheelskins: Chrome for Styled Wheels

"Wheelskin" is a relatively new term. Wheelskinsmanufacturers began offering styled alloy wheels
were invented in the late 1990s to provide anfirst as options, and in the late '80s as standard
inexpensive way to put chrome on styled wheels.features. The top models of even the economy
If you would like to read this article with picturesbrands offered styled steel wheels.
of classic cars that illustrate the examples given,The advent of styled alloy wheels opened a new
go torange of stylistic expression to auto owners.
After WWII, auto racing enthusiasts introducedSpoke and swirl patterns could extend seamlessly
new technologies and materials to every aspectto the outer edge of the wheel. As computerized
of race cars to reduce weight and improve speedmachining technology advanced, it became less
and handling. One of those improvements, 'magexpensive to engineer the molds, so a larger
wheels' remains in the vernacular to this day.selection of designs became available and prices
Halibrand magnesium wheels carried every cardecreased.
that won the Indy 500 from 1946 to 1963. ThoseChrome, the final fashion statement, was applied
early wheels were made of magnesium, whichto all varieties of styled wheels. This option is
was far lighter than steel, and a even third lighterpopular but expensive, in the range of several
than aluminum. The major drawback of the truehundred dollars per wheel. Unfortunately, one of
magnesium wheel was the need to polish itthe drawbacks of actual chrome plating on auto
regularly, because magnesium reacts rapidly to airwheels is its tendency to corrode when exposed
and water to produce a heavy surface oxide,to winter salt driving conditions. Hence the fine
which then pits. The shift to aluminum alloysprint caveat in the warrantees of chrome wheel
reduced these problems.manufacturers: "Do not drive chrome wheels in
Early aluminum alloy wheels were made in fairlysnow!" and "Salt can deteriorate and corrode your
simple designs. As more sophisticated, highchrome."
strength molding and forging processes wereWheelskins were invented in the late 1990s to
developed, more intricate and artistic designsprovide an inexpensive way to put brilliant
became common. The original purpose ofchromed plastic covers on styled wheels. Precision
decreased weight for track performancemolds were designed to produce inexpensive
metamorphosed to style and expression. Adoptioncorrosion resistant covers that perfectly match
of "styled" alloy wheels became widespread inthe geometry of styled wheels, and 'fit like a
high-end street machines of German manufacture,glove' or like a second skin. There are several
and as expensive aftermarket options for themanufacturers of wheelskins, the two best
rest. Finally, major American and Japaneseknown are the Impostors