When it comes to custom wheels, there are many options of materials for you to choose from. Here are the main ones you should consider during this process.
While most people stick to the wheels their car comes with, those who buy new ones tend to take them very seriously. If you are one of these people but can’t find the wheel that best fits your style and qualifications, you might consider buying custom wheels.
There’s much to know about the manufacturing process for custom wheels, but an important step is picking out the material it’ll be made of. If you’re unsure which material you should use for your car’s custom wheels, this guide is here to help you out.
Steel
Let’s start this list off with steel. This metal is considered by most to be the worst material to use for wheels. The reason for this is due to how heavy it is. In general, the heavier your wheels are, the less distance your car will be able to go. While this isn’t as important for gas vehicles, it’s a crucial component for electric ones.
On top of that, steel wheels aren’t quite as good-looking as the others on this list, but that’s obviously subjective. The main reason to go with steel is that it’s cheap, but if you’re custom-making your wheels, money is likely not a big concern for you.
Aluminum
Next, we have the most popular wheel material: aluminum. While aluminum isn’t considered the strongest metal, the type used in wheels is an alloy, meaning that other substances have been added to it to increase its strength.
While these alloy mixtures don’t quite reach the strength of steel, the light frame of aluminum wheels is the biggest draw. Plus, the price is very reasonable for most buyers, making it the best all-around option.
Magnesium
If you need something extremely lightweight, though, magnesium wheels are the way to go. This type of metal is also an alloy, but not because magnesium needs extra strength. It’s actually because it’s flammable. Therefore, manufacturers add calcium as a counteractive agent.
However, magnesium wheels still aren’t the most popular choice due to their shorter shelf life. Magnesium corrodes much faster than other wheel materials. That means even though they look great, they’re not a permanent option.
Carbon Fiber
If you want true performance wheels, the material you should use for your car’s wheels is carbon fiber. These wheels are stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum, making them the best option for those looking to get the most from their wheels. Obviously, that comes at a price, though, since carbon fiber wheels are some of the most expensive wheels on the market.
Titanium
However, there is one option typically more expensive than carbon fiber, but it’s not exactly on the market. This option is titanium. It’s also stronger than steel but not as light as carbon fiber. Still, the look of titanium is nothing to scoff at as long as you find a manufacturer willing to make them. Fortunately, since you’re looking to make a set of custom wheels, titanium will be a possibility depending on where to get your wheels. You’ll just need to be ready to pay the hefty price tag if it’s available.