These rims are painted, right?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Prius_Gnome, May 23, 2025 at 7:14 PM.

  1. Prius_Gnome

    Prius_Gnome Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2008
    79
    27
    0
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I bought the Prius used several years ago. It did not come with hubcaps. As far as I know, the OEM rims are alloy so that means they're not painted, right? There shouldn't be any "peeling paint" or "bubbling"? I ask because mine look like the attached photos and I don't have a reference point to compare if unpainted rims should be peeling. So it seems the previous owner painted the rims to make it look nice before selling it?

    In the end, it's only aesthetics, right? I can just buy some hubcaps to cover them up and I'll never have to worry about them, right?
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 Prius_Gnome, May 23, 2025 at 7:14 PM
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    7,053
    3,693
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    They are painted, as you can tell by it pealing....
    And yes, wheel covers will hide them.
     
    #2 ASRDogman, May 23, 2025 at 9:17 PM
    Prius_Gnome likes this.
  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,391
    4,175
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Hubcaps stock will help aero also.
     
    #3 Grit, May 23, 2025 at 9:38 PM
    Prius_Gnome likes this.
  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    7,053
    3,693
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    There are no hub caps, only wheel covers.
     
    #4 ASRDogman, May 23, 2025 at 9:57 PM
  5. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    8,028
    3,205
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Only a minuscule amount. Most people will not notice any difference in gas mileage. Took our wheel covers off right away, they're still sitting somewhere in my garage.

    SM-S936U ?
     
    #5 xliderider, May 23, 2025 at 10:15 PM
    Prius_Gnome likes this.
  6. Prius_Gnome

    Prius_Gnome Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2008
    79
    27
    0
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for the confirmations. Yeah, I'll just buy some wheel covers. Thanks all!
     
    #6 Prius_Gnome, May 23, 2025 at 11:47 PM
    ASRDogman likes this.
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    58,562
    40,321
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    They’re painted, Classic Silver Metallic (1F7).

    just curious: how much did they cost you? In decent shape they go for around $400 USD, but peeling like that $200 is fair.

    technically true, but language is a democratic entity, and of late “hub caps” has, erroneously, been applied to wheel covers.

    I agree though, “hub caps” technically means caps for the hubs, the smallish, centre openings.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, May 24, 2025 at 7:24 AM
    Last edited: May 24, 2025 at 7:33 AM
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    26,079
    17,053
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    We were calling them hub caps when I was a kid, which isn't so very "of late".
     
    #8 ChapmanF, May 24, 2025 at 8:44 AM
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  9. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    7,053
    3,693
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    If you have a spare set, you can glass bead them, or sandblast them, but that eats into the aluminum.
    Then paint them, while the tires are off.....

     
    #9 ASRDogman, May 24, 2025 at 8:49 AM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)