Can I just use my stock lug nuts for my aftermarket rims or should I just go buy new ones?

 

It all depends on the kind of wheels you have now and the kind the new ones are.

For example, Motegi wheels normally need tuner lugs which are much different than stock lugs.

So,
1. Do you have stock steelies right now?
2. And what wheels are you getting?

 

1. Yes, stock steelies.
2. Flik Bullet 17x7 (from reaper)

Turns out that the stock lug nuts would work if I had a different lug wrench. I scratched the fresh paint on one finding that out, so I might as well get some aftermarket ones... That'll be another $50+-.

 

u probably need aftermarket lugnuts not just to fit in the wheel, but to fit it properly. a lot of aftermarket wheels use tapered holes and need a tapered lug nut to secure the wheel correctly.

 

Well, here are two common lug types:

The left is a tuner style or closed end lug, normally for alloy wheels.
The right is a 'lug centric' or acorn lug, normally for steel wheels.

Here's another good drawing:


Even though the lugs thread on and seem to tighten, you need to have the right mating surface.

 

lol @ nut on the right. We use those dinky little things on the golf carts at work. Good diagram.

Okay. Stock lug nuts are the "acorn" style, rounded ones. No go on those because the rims are tapered for sure. Stuart suggested some Muteki ones on eBay awhile back, so i'll probably look for some of those.

 

lol I didn't even notice there's a choice of tapered and rounded lug nuts.

anyone know of tuner lug nuts that won't rust? I tried black, but eventually they chipped and had some minor rust. Would anodized lug nuts be less prone to rust, like a gunmetal color?

 

anodized aluminum lug nuts. i have Work ones like below, have had them for a couple years. they're really worn out from swapping wheels all the time but they are still good. my only gripe, they used to be a real nice candy red and now they have faded to pink lol.

 

if you want some uber nice ones, and my favorites, get some black Rays lugs

 

So about the anodized aluminum kind... You say your red ones faded to pink. Is there a way to easily remove the finish with a chemical so they just look aluminum again?