What is a barrel on a wheel??

[oejeffrey]

Here is a picture of my cleaned wheel.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m281/oejeffrey/20130210_143401_zps98940585.jpg
Well I thought it was clean and then got to looking closer and realized it wasn't as clean as I thought it was and needed to re clean the wheel. Someone has it in a quote that I shouldn't be angry about the results I didn't get because of the work I didn't do. Well today that was me. I didn't get angry...I just got back to work.
Sorry had to rant at me there for a sec. So I am kinda confused about what a barrel is on a wheel ?? So here is a closer view of my wheel. http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m281/oejeffrey/20130210_143405_zpsde960fab.jpg
Is the barrel the area behind the show chrome??

[Dougw4355]

The barrel is the part thats a pain in the az.... To get to and keep clean

[oejeffrey]

If that is true then I think that is anything chrome & shiney!!!

[Dougw4355]

If that is true then I think that is anything chrome & shiney!!!

Very true but your correct,,the barrel is behind the crome,,or commonly called the rim

[oejeffrey]

Ok cool...I am guessing this area must be kept clean due to the fact that brake dust and dirt weaken the metal & this is where plating starts to flake off if not properly maintained??

[Vegas Transplant]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/oe_wheel.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/55397)

Face
Spoke
Barrel

[oldmodman]

Unfortunately the only way to get a wheel absolutely clean on every surface is to remove it from the car. Yes, it's a pain, but in the end you will know that it's perfect.

Now ask yourself if it really matters.

Yep, it does when I am working on my own cars. For lady friends that normally wash their cars with Brillo and Comet it doesn't make much difference.

[FUNX650]

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/oe_wheel.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/55397)

Face
Spoke
Barrel
^^^^:dblthumb2:^^^^
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

"Exploded Views":

Face/Front
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/WheelFront1.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/55468)

Inner Barrel:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/inner_wheel_barrel1.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/55469)

Outer Barrel:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/outerbarrel1.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/55470)

There are 2 & 3 piece wheels that may use the same nomenclature, for different parts, before final assembly:
(Typical forged 3-piece wheel shown below)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/3piecewheelassembly.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/55467)

:)

Bob

[oejeffrey]

Thank guys!!! This info helps a lot!

[ScottB]

Daytona Wheel Brush helps keep the barrels clean. You can use compressed air to blow the water out. You should consider sealing them annually (or sooner). Some care is needed to keep wheels in good shape and all those bad contaminents on road and in brake pads off the surface.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Nice breakdown and description Bob.

[TundraPower]

Unfortunately the only way to get a wheel absolutely clean on every surface is to remove it from the car. Yes, it's a pain, but in the end you will know that it's perfect.

Now ask yourself if it really matters.

Yep, it does when I am working on my own cars. For lady friends that normally wash their cars with Brillo and Comet it doesn't make much difference.

Wow did you just say Brillo and Comet?

[WRXINXS]

I use two tools to keep them clean while they are still on the car. Daytona Speed Master Brush and Wheel Woolies. Both are great tools to keep them as clean as possible without taking the wheels off.