painted black rims under rim covers?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by priusrc, Jun 27, 2014.

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  1. priusrc

    priusrc Junior Member

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    I noticed the rims are nice, shiny, and black under the covers. I also noticed the same style but silver. Why separate colors? Does anyone drive around with just the black rims showing? It does kind of look nice. Maybe with a chrome Toyota center insert.
     
    #1 priusrc, Jun 27, 2014
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Yes, taking off the wheelcovers is common, along with putting in center caps. Either Toyota logo ones or electrical box knockout covers sourced from Lowes or Home Depot.

    The silver wheels were on 2010 and 2011, the black wheels are 2012+.

    SCH-I535
     
    #2 xliderider, Jun 27, 2014
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    #3 xliderider, Jun 27, 2014
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    #4 xliderider, Jun 27, 2014
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'd suspect it's an ongoing campaign to discourage owners from taking the covers off.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Jun 27, 2014
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Maybe black paint is cheaper than silver + clear coat. :p

    SCH-I535
     
    #6 xliderider, Jun 27, 2014
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  7. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    The simplest explanation is black background looks better against the new style 2012-14 wheel covers, unlike the 2010-11 wheel covers.
     
    #7 32kcolors, Jun 27, 2014
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  8. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    That's too logical. :D

    SCH-I535
     
    #8 xliderider, Jun 27, 2014
  9. ibmoses

    ibmoses Junior Member

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    I removed my wheel covers and now am thinking of painting the wheel barrels.
     
    #9 ibmoses, Jun 27, 2014
  10. priusrc

    priusrc Junior Member

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    Nice, does anyone have pictures of their black rims?
     
    #10 priusrc, Jun 28, 2014
  11. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    You can see them in my avatar, along with the GII centre caps (REAL "hubcaps"). ;)
     
    #11 David Beale, Jun 28, 2014
  12. priusrc

    priusrc Junior Member

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    That does look very nice. Thanks!
     
    #12 priusrc, Jun 28, 2014
  13. heyphillip

    heyphillip Member

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    I removed those ugly silver hub caps from my 2014 Prius.It looks much better without the hub caps.Why on earth did Toyota put silver hub caps over Alloy wheels
     
    #13 heyphillip, Jun 30, 2014
  14. RaZa

    RaZa Member

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    Personally I hate the look of the black hubs. Looks exactly like it's missing hubcaps. Too redneck for me
     
    #14 RaZa, Jul 8, 2014
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  15. DoubleDAZ

    DoubleDAZ Senior Member

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    I love black spoke wheels (old school), I even put them on my '99 Montana van several years ago and still get compliments from youngsters, much to my surprise I might add. If I had my druthers though, I'd opt for something better looking than what's going to beneath the covers when I get my Prius on Thursday. Still, I think they'll look better than the covers. My plan is to keep them until I need my first set of tires and then think about getting some after-market wheels to go with new tires. That's partly why I opted for a Prius 4 vs a 5.

    Oh, and I'm far from a redneck (whatever that means in this case) being from Wisconsin and living in Phoenix for the last 20 years. I really just don't like a lot of chrome. I don't even like large wheels too often because there is so much chrome.
     
    #15 DoubleDAZ, Jul 8, 2014
  16. priusrc

    priusrc Junior Member

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    Well, I decided to keep the covers on for the supposedly 2-3 mpg I get and I hate the black rim look. I wouldn't mined getting the silver version but then I have to buy two sets, one for my winter tires. Then I have to sell one set. Too much work and money on the line. I am trying to save pennies!
     
    #16 priusrc, Jul 8, 2014
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  17. DoubleDAZ

    DoubleDAZ Senior Member

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    I'm actually going to keep mine on for our upcoming 37 day/6500 mile road trip. I want to see what kind of mileage I get completely stock. After that I'll decide if I want to remove them, change the air pressures, etc. What I might end up doing is putting them on for trips and leaving them off around town. If they are there for wind resistance, I assume that would help more for highway use. Any thoughts?
     
    #17 DoubleDAZ, Jul 8, 2014
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Somebody made a decision, switching from silver (covered) rims, to black gloss.

    Seems like adding insult to injury.
     
    #18 Mendel Leisk, Jul 8, 2014
  19. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Not sure why you feel that way. The 2012+ wheel covers look better than 2010-11 wheel covers and they look better against black background. Try putting 2012+ wheel covers on 2010-11 silver alloys and you'll see why.
     
    #19 32kcolors, Jul 8, 2014
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah I can see that, black is hardly seen...

    Ah, those covers just bug me lol
     
    #20 Mendel Leisk, Jul 8, 2014
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