Trd pro 4runner Rims in Cold Climate

Just purchased a set of the matte black trd 4runner pro or Sema rims and wondering if they hold up well to road salt / winter snow conditions... or whether it's best to swap these out to preserve matte finish... any experience anyone? Any pics anyone can share of rims after a couple of winter seasons?

Thanks

 

I've never had any problem with aluminum wheels in winter.

 

My matte black trail team wheels are holding up just fine here in Maine.

 

Thanks for sharing your picture! No issues with the matte black holding up or flaking due to road salt? What products do you use to help take care of them?

 

Is that a thing? I mean maybe it is. I’ve just never heard of salt affecting aluminum or paint. Have you had issues in the past?

 

No issues with my Semas here in Ohio. I have the matte gray ones, but the finish is still like it was when I put them on almost 5 years ago.

 

Not sure that it is... I've seen a lot of posts regarding g how finicky these rims can be for general cleaning maintenance so wondered if anyone had any experience related to salt potentially impacting the finish.

 

I can't say I have ever read or seen anything regarding this issue before. I will say brake dust clings to the fronts like it's their job, but I honestly never clean my wheels. Maybe twice a year. I do hose them, but almost never brush and clean the wheels.

 

I’ve lived in Minnesota long enough to know that road salt does not affect aluminum or painted steel. The sun is worse to paint I think. Rust tends to start in those places you are not paying attention to and then one day the paint falls off and exposes a large hole.

 

The t4r pro wheels have some kind of sealant coat on top of the matte finish that substantially aids with maintenance without ruining the matte look. They aren't any different than the average clear coated wheel maintenance-wise in my experience. A true uncoated matte finish is very difficult to maintain which is probably what you are referencing.

 

Thanks for the detailed response! I assume issues would have surfaced but thought I would ask the question... I'm in Canada and there's a significant volume if salt on the roads during winter.. however I don't really see these rims on many vehicles until it's warm outside ... so was wondering everyone tried to preserve the finish... I appreciate the feedback and also any products anyone applies to maintain that "new" look... I'm a bit of a stickler for a clean/detailed truck.

 

I find the fear of rust that is often exhibited on this forum a bit curious. I’ve had a couple rust buckets, but they were made in the 70’s and 80’s. My last car was a 2001 Subaru that I owned until 2015. I never rust proofed it and barely ever washed it. It was free of major rust except for two places. The roof rack disintegrated to the point that I got large pieces of rust in my hair if I opened the sun roof and the area around the windshield became rust stained. I blame the windshield issue on the guy that replaced it after it got smashed by an ice ball that got tossed off an overpass and splattered broken glass over my face.

My aluminum rims still looked brand new (more or less).

 

My experience with my '06 was that after 8-10 years on CT road's the surface became rather corroded & pitted. Ultimately had them cleaned, baked & powder coated. Looked great after that was done. From that point on I went with steelies with REAL snow tires in the Winter and the cast wheels in the non-snow seasons.
EDIT:
FWIW CT transitioned to the use of magnesium chloride as a deicer. I suspect it was what did a number on the '06's original cast wheels.

 

My matte finish grey are scratched and chipped, but zero corrosion issues after many rainy and salty winters. Very durable coating.

 

Mine have held up to the Idaho winters just fine.

 

No issues at all. I hit a touchless wash as needed in winter (sometimes daily, sometimes weekly depending on conditions). I use this product a few times a year and I'll use some spray wax from time to time.

 

Salt will absolutely destroy a bare aluminum wheel if left unchecked. (requires constant cleaning and a heavy application of wheel polish)

Paint or powder coated wheels are another story. As long as the finish is intact and was properly applied it doesn't matter what the wheel is made of steel, aluminum, magnesium, carbon fiber...the coating is the barrier and is reasonably resistant to chlorine attack. Wash them once in a while and maybe apply a little wax and they will outlast the vehicle.

 

Nonsense.

 

Want to know how I know you're an idiot?