Upgrading vehicle aesthetics mainly happens on the outside and one of the first aftermarket accessories in this case are the wheels. The rims to be more exact, can change the way the car looks more than what a new paint job could or new headlights. That same benefit is provided with Art Replica wheels.
They are one of the best when it comes to preserving that factory look but still making your vehicle somewhat stylish. Art Replica has managed to go even deeper with the OEM theme as they also include TPMS sensors and OEM lug nuts on their rims. They also meet JWL/ VIA standards and have salt-spray-tested winter wheels.
What to Consider with Art Replica Rims
Size
The size of the rims depends largely on the size of the tires you want to have on your vehicle and the size of the wheel well. The larger the tires and wheel well, the larger the rims you’ll need. Since they’re aftermarket Art Replica rims are available in many sizes no matter how small or large of a diameter you need.
Lug Count
Probably the second most important factor to consider is the number of lugs the rims come with. They need to match that of the wheel, otherwise they won’t be compatible. Another thing to note is that not all manufacturers have the lugs at the same diameter since Japanese rims come at 5×114.3 mm and European ones have them at 5×112 mm.
Bolt Pattern
The bolt pattern goes along with the lug count and it affects compatibility too. Your Art Replica wheel may have a lug count of as little as 4 and as much as 8 lug holes and they can be placed in different patterns. The more lug holes there are, typically the more complicated the patterns become. The distance between the lugs also differs in this case.
Offset
Wheel offset refers to the placement of the rim, meaning how far inwards or outwards the rim sits from the center of the hub. If the rim sits further out it has a positive offset and if it sits further inside then it has a negative offset. Zero offset is when the rim sits dead in the middle.
Material
There are two types of materials an Art Replica wheel or all wheels for that matter come made of. Those are steel and aluminium. Steel Art Replica wheels are much stronger and heavier which makes for a more stable vehicle, but they are not nearly as stylish as alloy ones. Aluminum Art Replica rims are much lighter and come in a wide range of designs but they are not as impact resistant.
Finish
No matter the material the rims come made of, they can have more finishes than just two. For a gloss, matte or satin look, a black finish is the way to go while a shiny metal surface requires a chrome finish. A gunmetal finish provides a light, dark and matte or gloss look.
Width
When you’re fitting larger rims you should keep in mind their width too. This can easily stretch out the tire. The width shouldn’t increase more than an inch wider for two inches of increase in diameter. If it does it’s both unsafe and not legal.
Rim Maintenance
Dust
One of the most aggressive compounds that can affect both the structural integrity and appearance of rims is brake dust. Brake dust just happens as the pads come in contact on the disc. The dust then falls down on the wheel and it can get stuck on it if not taken care off on time. Brake dust can be removed with brake cleaner but also with regular cleaning of the wheels.
Iron
Another form of build-up you should take into consideration is iron build-up. In this case, it’s best that you use a decontaminant that takes care of iron deposits that contain sodium thioglycolic acid. This way you’ll have an effective maintenance routine that won’t take a lot of time to keep your rims clean.
Cleaning
Simple cleaning of Art Replica wheels involves using a brush and a cleaning product made for the material the wheels are made of. All you need to do is apply the product, scrub it around with the brush and then rinse it. In the end, you just need to wipe the wheels down with a microfiber cloth and that’s it.
Sealant
Rim maintenance includes protecting the rims too not just cleaning them. To do this, you need sealant which will keep them shiny too, unless the rims have a matte finish. Applying the sealant depends on the type of product you go for as not every single one has the exact same process. This way your rims will stay free from marks and brake dust for as long as you keep applying the sealant and cleaning the wheels too.
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