Northern Glow

Northern Glow offers professional-grade coatings developed by our industry-leading facility, delivering a dramatic color-enhancing effect alongside a protective shell that shields surfaces against oxidation, UV damage, fading, and wear. 

Our product lineup includes high-performance graphene coatings as well as the newly introduced, innovative borophene coating. We also offer specialized coatings tailored for different surfaces and materials, including interior surfaces, glass, and marine application (boats). Whether you are an experienced detailer or a DIY enthusiast, you will always have access to the finest choices.

The Engineering and Production of Custom Forged Aluminum Wheels

Forged aluminum wheels represent the pinnacle of automotive performance and aesthetics. Unlike traditional cast wheels, which are formed by pouring molten metal into a mold, forged wheels are carved directly from a solid block of aerospace-grade aluminum. This process—known as blank machining—results in a wheel that is vastly stronger, significantly lighter, and infinitely customizable.

Here is an inside look into how we design and manufacture our 1-piece, 2-piece, and 3-piece forged wheels.

Design & Engineering

Every wheel begins as a digital concept. Because forged wheels are machined from a solid blank, designers have total freedom to create intricate, aggressive, and highly detailed spoke profiles that would be impossible to cast.

Modeling: We start by designing the wheel in 3D CAD software, detailing the exact spoke geometry, concavity, and hub profiles to fit the specific brake clearances and offset requirements of your vehicle.

Finite Element Analysis (FEA): Before a single piece of metal is cut, the digital design undergoes rigorous FEA testing. We simulate cornering, radial, and impact loads to identify stress points. This allows us to shave off unnecessary material to reduce unsprung weight without compromising structural integrity.
 Production: Machining from a Forged Blank
The core of our manufacturing process is the forged blank. We start with a solid cylindrical block of 6061-T6 aerospace-grade aluminum. This raw aluminum is heated and compressed under extreme pressure (often upwards of 8,000 to 10,000 tons) to create a dense, compact grain structure. This forging process eliminates porosity and makes the metal incredibly strong.
The transformation from this raw blank to a finished wheel is achieved through precision CNC machining:
Lathe Turning: The forged blank is mounted on a CNC lathe to cut the inner and outer profiles. This step defines the basic width, barrel shape, and initial concavity.
CNC Milling: A multi-axis CNC mill then meticulously carves out the face of the wheel. The drill bits plunge into the solid blank, cutting away up to 80% of the raw material to reveal the final spoke design, bolt patterns, and weight-reduction pockets.
Hand Finishing: Once the machining is complete, the wheel is hand-prepped, brushed, polished, or media-blasted before receiving its final powder coat or clear finish.
 More pictures