Diamond cut alloy wheels are getting more and more popular in India. Here’s all you need to know about the diamond cut wheels.
In terms of styling cars, alloy wheels are the first choice for wheel choice. Due to their immensely popular look, you can even have steel wheels with plastic covers mimicking alloy designs. While there are many finishes to choose from, the diamond cut alloy are the most popular. More and more carmakers are highlighting the presence of alloys in their product advertising/ marketing campaigns. In this article, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about diamond cut alloy wheels.
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What are diamond cut alloy wheels?
Since carmakers are highlighting the presence of diamond cut alloy wheels in their cars, it is essential to know what exactly are they. ‘Diamond cut’ is essentially a type of finish given to an alloy wheel. This finishing is much more aesthetic and better looking than standard alloys. It is created with a specialized machine on a painted wheel. Once the process is complete, you get a diamond cut alloy wheel with a dual-tone finish. The bared metal gets tiny grooves and a high luster. In summation, the next time you see shiny wheels with a two-tone finish, you are looking at a car with diamond cut alloys.
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How are diamond cut alloys made?
The diamond cut alloys are created through a highly mechanized process. A special machine called a Computer Numerical Controlled lathe is used for this. It features a very hard metal or diamond tip. To achieve a two-toned finish, this machine strips away a painted part. Since the laser is used for precision measurements, the diamond cut alloy wheels are called laser-cut alloys. The whole process requires a few simple steps. Check them out below:
- First, the wheel is painted in the desired color and left to dry.
- Next, the painted wheel is mounted upon the diamond cutting machine and a lser is used to make precise measurements for the areas that will be ‘diamond cut’.
- Then, the machine operator provides instructions about the design through a computer.
- Now, the wheel spins at a very high speed, and the diamond tipped lathe strips a very thin layer of the painted alloy.
- Once done, the stripped part gets a shiny two-tone finish.
- Next, the wheel is lacquered to lock the paint.
- That’s it! The diamond cut alloy wheels are likely to keep shining for a longer time.
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Which brands use diamond alloy wheels?
Car makers like Mercedes and BMW have been using diamond cut alloys in their premium car models. Now, brands like Maruti Suzuki, Tata, Mahindra, Renault, and Volkswagen have also started offering diamond cut alloy wheels options. Almost all premium variants come with a diamond finish alloy now.
What’s not good about diamond cut alloy wheel?
While diamond cut alloy wheels are a great choice, there are a few downsides as well. To begin with, they are very expensive compared to steel wheels or powder-coated alloy wheels. The above-mentioned process is substantially more expensive than other options. Additionally, the diamond cut alloy wheels are not as strong as their steel counterparts. Since they are prone to breaking or cracking during extreme duress, they can’t be roughed up. While an occasional speed breaker won’t harm them, we recommended avoiding off-roading.
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Conclusion
We hope the above article was helpful. So, the next time you encounter diamond cut alloys in a showroom, you have all the information you need to make a smart decision. While the diamond-cut alloy wheels are the best-looking option, you will have to shell out extra money for them. Having said that, if you are looking for a stylish vehicle to drive around the city, there is no better choice. However, diamond cut alloy wheels are very expensive to repair or replace. While these are more prone to cracking than standard models, just avoid extreme situations and you should be fine.
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FAQs
Essentially a type of finish for the painted alloy wheels. The aesthetically pleasing dual-toned finish comes with a high luster.
When compared to the traditional steel wheels, the diamond cut alloy wheels are lighter and more stylish. Not only do they stand out, but you also get better handling of your car. we recommended avoiding off-roading.
While the actual cost depends on the wheel size and design, it can cost anywhere between 8K to 40k. The price keeps going higher with the wheel size and more intricate designs. Different car manufacturers also carry varying costs. For example, a Maruti Suzuki diamond cut alloy wheel costs between 8K to 10K. On the other hand, the Mercedes Benz diamond cut alloy wheel comes with a price tag in the 20 – 40k range. Additionally, the prices also differ with the car models.
Unlike diamond cut alloys, standard alloy wheels do not undergo a strict process. The plain alloy wheels are powder coated, anodized, or painted.
Yes, steel wheels are more shock-absorbent and great for heavy vehicles. They are made from a combination of carbon and iron. Additionally, they are cheaper to manufacture.