How do KMC XD wheels hold up in the winter?

[2010_5thgen]

Im looking to do some new wheels next spring. Im concidering the KMC XD Hoss in either a 18x9 or 20x9 with a 37x13.50. not sure yet. And, if i get these wheels, I will be selling my stock wheels to help recoupe the cost spent on the new set. A buddy of mine told me not to go with a wheel with any polish because the salt will eat away at the clear over it and pit the wheels. So, im wanting the wheels in Gloss Black. Does anyone have KMC XD wheels with the painted finish that can let me know how they hold up to tough winters? I live in Canton, OH and our winters get pretty bad. But they always go overboard on the salt. so, any help is usefull.

[2010_5thgen]

next question....are these wheels powdercoated? Im guessing they are, but wasnt sure.

[atomicgoofball]

Not exactly sure, but XD apparently have some really good rep. I have some XD diesels i'm putting on this week, so we can be XD brothers if you get those!

[2010_5thgen]

my buddy is telling me that they will hold up better in the winter than the stock chrome wheels i have now. and these wheels have held up great. so if the powdercaot will hold up good, i may list my stock wheels for sale and buy these hoss wheels before winter.

[PaHumBug]

They sure look like a pain to clean...

[2010_5thgen]

ive had way worse......

[H2Much]

Not good in the winter, not powdercoated. They are painted. I already went through one winter with a set of KMC HD's and I was really disappointed. I have had chrome before, but never as crappy as the KMC's. I had a set of Chrome Panther 22's, rolled 3 entire winters with them, no chrome blemish. Now, Panthers are not top of the line or anything, so. My KMC HD's, lasted maybe two months. Chrome was chipped and peeling by month 3. Not impressed, not impressed at all.

What really bugged me is that I see their sh*t everywhere, and I mean everywhere. They are not that cheap either. You would think that a company like this with a good design would put a little more money back into their business and their products, but nope. They don't give a crap about the performance of their wheels, they care about money, and cranking out the $$$. This last set of Rockstars will be the last KMC for me, hopefully there will be more choices out there by then. Didn't even want to go with the Rockstars for this same reason, but when you start looking for 8 lugs that are black, look cool, and have the right offset, there are not that many to choose from.

Anyone want to go into business making 8 lug black rims that aren't gay and can do more than a couple of months in the snow? lol

Just my opinion, but a bold one based on my own personal experience. Take it for what it is-

[2010_5thgen]

so their painted? that sucks. if they were powdercoated they would hold up a hell of alot better. well looks like im resorting back to plan A. 37's on the stock wheels....its reallt too bad they wont last and they dont do a better job of protectin such an expensive investment. let make 1 wheel design and just sell that style! im sure i know of a good cnc company that can make wheels around here. my last set of wheels for my camaro are from forgeline in dayton, OH. not too far from me. we could get him to make them im sure. and i know he powdercoats his wheels

[Dash]

Have you looked into BMF wheels? 22" BMF Novacanes on an F250 that have been subjected to some pretty harsh conditions and still look great. I also have 20" BMF SOTA's on my H2 and they haven't seen winter or salt they look brand new !!

[2010_5thgen]

So you haven't drove them in the winter? Im needing some stories and results from winter tested wheels.

[atomicgoofball]

why not drive whichever wheels to your heart's content, and when they start looking crappy or if they start looking crappy, take them to your powdercoater

[Dash]

Originally Posted by 2010_5thgen

So you haven't drove them in the winter? Im needing some stories and results from winter tested wheels.

Yes, the BMF Novacanes on the F250 are thoroughly "winter" tested. No pitting, signs of corrosion, or etching visable at all. They are finished in "Death Metal".....they have held up so well I put BMF SOTA's on my H2.

[[__--MUD--__]]

If you have any concern about the wheels corroding... Definately dont get chrome. All this triple chrome bull**** is thinner that any single chrome job from 20 years ago.

I wouldn't worry about painted wheels, if they start to get ****ty- They would be so much easier to strip and powdercoat.

You have no idea what kind of a cluster **** it is to get chrome wheels stripped now. My mazzis are cast aluminum, worst kind. Took me 4 months to find a place that could actually do the size wheel, and material properly. Alot of shops have closed up or been bought out and consolidated by larger companies over the last 10 years.

FYI, gloss is going to scratch easier than a semi-gloss or flat finish.

[2010_5thgen]

Im not going with chrome. Im going with black. And actually flat black and satin scratch easier than gloss. And gloss can be buffed back. Trust me.....

[H2Much]

That's why I went with black. If they ever get scuffed, just spray with a can of flat black Krylon. Doesn't get any easier than that- though if they get too bad over time you always can powdercoat easy.

[[__--MUD--__]]

Originally Posted by 2010_5thgen

And actually flat black and satin scratch easier than gloss. And gloss can be buffed back. Trust me.....

I was directing that twards powdercoating if your rims went to hell over the winter, not the origional painted finish...

[2010_5thgen]

the other wheels style i like that KMC makes comes in a flat black. i think i need to get ahold of them to find out what kind of finish is on their wheels.

[StuinH2]

I have had my KMC Revolvers in flat balck on mine for a few years now and i havent had any problems. They were on when we got 3+ feet of snow in MD.

[2010_5thgen]

The revolver was the other style I liked.

[StuinH2]

My only complaint would be the Chrome XD Series on the centercap broke off on one of mine.