@Alex Kid
The wheels in the second picture you’ve posted are diamond cut (also known as polished or machined). When they’re manufactured, they’re painted or powder coated black, and the face is then cut away on a diamond cutting lathe to expose the bare, shiny metal. A coat of lacquer is then applied to protect the bare metal surface.
The
problem with diamond cut wheels is poor durability - especially during the winter months. Bare metal isn’t a good surface for lacquer to adhere to, so any damage to the surface caused by flying stones and grit, or kerbing, and water gets under the lacquer and ‘creeps’ over the wheel between the bare metal and lacquer, causing a cloudy white, milky appearance (white worm corrosion). This can only be removed by refurbishing the wheel. Because of the poor durability of diamond cut wheels, many succumb to white worm corrosion between 2-3 years old.
I personally dislike diamond cut alloys with a passion! Given the choice I’d always go for a painted / powder coat finish, and would never refurbish a painted / powder coated wheel with a diamond cut finish.
Other issues with diamond cut wheels;
- Expensive to refurbish.
- Can usually only be refurbished a maximum of two times; recutting the face of the wheel removes a layer of metal, so more than two refurbishments and the structural integrity of the wheel can be compromised.
- Easily damaged by poorly maintained tyre fitting equipment and inexperienced tyre fitters.
Car colour can be a factor in choosing wheel colour and you’ve not said what colour your car is. I’d go for a gun metal / anthracite painted / powder coated finish if this would match or coordinate well with your car’s paint colour.
