Erusal

As we all know, the United States experienced a spectacular Baby Boom. It paralleled a growing economy and a desire to enjoy the good life after years of fear and tight wallets.

Like the surging economy the car industry’s tide was exceptionally high. Manufacturers added capacity as fast they could to meet this new demand from post-war consumers and an expanding middle class. With new drivers growing in number so did the competition for their dollars. Style and technology joined together to satiate this desire for new designs – a sign of new tastes and the consumer’s call for status.

The 50s consumer couldn’t get enough of chrome on their cars. Chrome showed up in grills that the blind could see coming, bold tail-fins as well as chrome center caps and hubs, the demand for this shiny metal seemed insatiable. The more, the better.

Today’s car accessory enthusiasts are drawn to the lustrous metal with the same intensity. And who can blame them? Chrome resists corrosion, is able to be tinted and gosh darn it, is just visually appealing – kinda like diamonds, icicles and twinkle lights… only more manly.

Using electroplating almost every car part can be covered with chrome. Center caps for rims and designer rims are popular ways to upgrade the fashion statement of your vehicle, too.

Chrome plating comes in different thickness levels, so check out the specs to determine the potential wear resistance of your accessory when making a purchase. If you can’t find it, ask the salesperson. A better idea is to ask the manufacturer. Do your due diligence before you lay down your money. “Rim remorse” is an easily avoided experience – especially after spending a week or two of paychecks.

Enlist the help of the web, finding parts can be done by either the manufacturer’s part number or the Hollander id. You also can take advantage of locator services to find the chrome rims, chrome-coated lug nuts, chrome wheel center caps or any other chrome part that can take your car from stock to stoked!

The holiday season is just around the corner, so if you want to get on your teenager’s good side, then you need to read this tutorial about car accessories. Once you know the jargon and you listen well, you should be able to figure out what to slide under the Christmas tree this year.

Lately, it’s all about the wheels – the all important connection between the car and the tires. Some like to select brilliantly hued, bulge acorn lug nuts or a cool center cap for rims of chrome, gun metal or customized color. Alternatively they can go for spinners and act that they are a rap star like 50 Cent. Another popular option is under carriage LEDs. It’s eye catching to say the least.

Just a Few Terms to Get You Started:

• Spinners can be one piece rims or added onto you current rims and have roller bearings to allow them to move, your wheels get a nice impact of movement that is totally unexpected. Since they move independent of the rims spinners spin even when the wheel is stopped, the law of momentum kicks in and they continue to spin due to the low resistance of the roller bearings.

• A factory center cap is what is in place in the center of the wheel when you buy the car from a dealer. To jazz up your ride, you can purchase high-style chrome center caps that will set your car apart.

• The new center caps can be set in place when you upgrade your rims and tires. They cover the axle hub in the center of the wheel and showcase all sorts of logos – domestic, import or concept designs. A tip for acquiring center caps for rims on the cheap is to check local salvage yards. Don’t forget the web; there are plenty of suppliers who would be happy to help you find the perfect set of caps.

• Rims bought from a manufacturer other than the car maker are called aftermarket rims and are used to personalize your car. These are usually coupled with center caps for rims that either come as a set or can be purchased separately from a dealer.

• A hub cap, on the other hand, is a wheel cover that protects the lug nuts and covers virtually the entire wheel rim.

• LEDs are an optional addition to rims. The diodes emit a glowing light and are powered by small long-life batteries.

• With wheel spacers you can add extra width to the wheels, positioning them a little closer to the fenders. This improves handling and visually adds a more aggressive bearing.