Aluminum Rims/Wheels
Clean Aluminum Rims DO NOT have the valve, lead wheel weights, and the plastic cap in the middle of the wheel. Dirty Aluminum Rims DO have either or all attached to the rim: valve, lead wheel weights, and the plastic cap in the middle of the wheel. These wheels can be easily cleaned with a hammer, chisel, or even a screwdriver.
Chrome Rims/Wheels
Chrome Rims are COATED aluminum, making them less valuable than clean aluminum. As the video states below, think of it like an insulated copper wire, where the valuable stuff (the aluminum), is hidden below a less valuable substrate. It could also very accurately be described as a “paint” that covers the rim, making it less valuable. Dirty or Clean categories listed above in regards to the valve, wheel weights, and plastic cap still apply to this category of rims.
Plastic Rims/Wheels
Plastic Rims are the least valuable of them all, which you should be able to detect by appearance, hitting the rim with a hammer or a chisel, or turning the rim over to see if the plastic has been molded to create a sort of casing that covers the structure of the rim. Plastic rims will always be considered “dirty” even if you take the valve and wheel weights off.
This is an excellent video by Rockaway Recycling we found on YouTube about aluminum wheels. We are not associated with Rockaway Recycling but we thought this video was an excellent illustration of what we are discussing above!
