A plasma vapor deposited (PVD) coating method. The method includes overlaying a primer polymer layer onto a substrate surface. The method further includes overlaying a chrome metallic layer onto the primer polymer. The method also includes depositing a plasma vapor deposited (PVD) oxide layer of a thickness of 1 to 5 nanometers onto the chrome metallic layer and having a parameter of color change of the underlying chrome metallic layer. The color change may be determined according to the following equation:

E*.sub.ab={square root over ((L*).sup.2+(a*).sup.2+(b*).sup.2)}

L is the color brightness of the oxide layer, and a and b are the color-component dimensions of the oxide and metallic layers. E*.sub.ab may be less than 2.3. The method further includes overlaying an exposed polymeric layer onto the PVD oxide layer to form a protective layer at the interface between the exposed polymeric layer and the oxide layer.

A corrosion resistant wheel including a body having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a mounting plate having a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the body is adapted for securement to a vehicle and/or trailer, a primary anticorrosion layer associated with at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the wheel body and/or at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the mounting plate, an optional secondary layer associated with the primary anticorrosion layer, and a tertiary layer associated with the secondary layer.

A vehicle wheel includes a face portion and rim portion defining a wheel surface. The face portion includes a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly from a central portion to the rim portion interconnecting the face portion to the rim portion. A translucent polymer coating defines an outermost coating of the surface of the wheel where the translucent polymer coating is tinted for reflecting a first portion of light illuminating the wheel and allowing a second portion of light to pass through the translucent polymer coating. The second portion of light that passes through the translucent polymer coating reflects the surface of the wheel defining a third portion of light.

A vehicle wheel cover is provided. The vehicle wheel cover includes a base, and a printed layer formed at a first location of the base. The printed layer is formed from a plurality of layers of images, such that, at least a first layer of the plurality of layers is located at a first depth from other layers of the plurality of layers. The vehicle wheel cover further includes a plurality of brake cooling holes that is formed as a pattern at a second location of the base. The second location is different from the first location. Based on a movement and an illumination of the vehicle wheel cover, the printed layer forms a three-dimensional graphic image.