The moment you boot up WheelMates on September 1, 2026, you and your co-op partner will find yourselves in Professor Everett Bloom’s mysteriously empty home laboratory, staring at a tiny RC car that’s begging for a makeover. Firevolt Studio’s 2-player cooperative driving adventure isn’t just about mastering the Rope-Swing, Magnetic Wheels, and Magnet Grab gadgets—it’s about looking good while you do it. The car customization system is deceptively deep, with a base color layer, wheel parts, antenna parts, and horn sounds that you’ll unlock by exploring every corner of the oversized lab. This guide breaks down every known WheelMates paint color, wheel type, and antenna option, plus the exact methods to grab them before you hit the demo’s cut content.
The Full WheelMates Paint Colors List
The Full WheelMates Paint Colors List Overview
The Full WheelMates Paint Colors List Tips
Firevolt Studio hasn’t published a single official color chart, but the closed backer demo (which was pulled from Steam on August 8, 2026) gave dataminers and community testers plenty to work with. Based on the Steam store page and the official Discord server (which already has 3,327+ members sharing findings), here’s the complete list of WheelMates all paint colors confirmed or heavily rumored for launch.
| Paint Color Name | Rarity | Unlock Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab White | Common | Default | The stock finish, clean but boring |
| Professor’s Tan | Common | Find 5 SD Cards | Matches Bloom’s lab coat |
| Circuit Green | Common | Complete Chapter 1 | Bright neon green |
| Magnet Red | Uncommon | Use Magnetic Wheels 50 times | Deep crimson |
| Rope Swing Blue | Uncommon | Swing 30 times without landing | Sky blue with a matte finish |
| Gadget Orange | Uncommon | Collect 10 Memory Cards | Safety-orange vibes |
| Dusty Copper | Rare | Scan 15 Scannable Objects | Metallic, aged look |
| Glass Violet | Rare | Find all Journal entries in Chapter 2 | Translucent purple |
| Static Yellow | Rare | Complete a level without crashing | High-vis yellow |
| Bloom’s Black | Epic | 100% Chapter 3 | Glossy black with subtle sparkle |
| Friend’s Pass Pink | Epic | Play 10 online sessions via Friend’s Pass | Bright pink, exclusive to co-op |
| Golden Gear | Legendary | Collect all 40 SD Cards | Animated gold shimmer |
The base color is the primary layer, but you’ll notice that some shades like Glass Violet and Golden Gear have special effects that shift under the lab’s dynamic lighting. If you’re hunting for WheelMates all paint colors, prioritize SD Card collection—they’re the most reliable source for early unlocks.
How to Unlock Paint Colors Efficiently
You don’t need to grind every collectible on your first playthrough. The paint colors are tied to specific progression milestones, and most unlock naturally if you’re thorough. For Lab White and Professor’s Tan, you’ll have them within the first 30 minutes. The Epic and Legendary shades require near-completionist behavior, so plan a second run with your co-op partner using **split-scree
WheelMates Wheel Types and How to Get Them Overview
WheelMates Wheel Types and How to Get Them Tips
n** or Remote Play Together to split the workload On Steam Deck the controls feel slightly tighter than on desktop, so calibrating your stick sensitivity to match your playstyle is well worth the two minutes it takes. Many players find this approach more reliable than brute forcing.
WheelMates Wheel Types and How to Get Them
The wheel parts are more than cosmetic—they subtly affect handling on the lab’s varied surfaces, from slick tile to carpet and wooden ramps. Firevolt Studio confirmed that wheel types don’t change speed or grip dramatically, but they do alter the feel of your RC car during Rope-Swing momentum swings. Here’s the full breakdown of WheelMates wheel types and their unlock conditions.
| Wheel Type | Effect | Unlock Method |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Rubber | Balanced grip | Default |
| Lab Slippers | Reduced friction on tile | Find 3 Scannable Objects |
| Gripper Claws | Extra traction on carpet | Complete Chapter 1 with 2 stars |
| Magnetic Rims | Slight pull toward metal surfaces | Use Magnetic Wheels on 20 metal panels |
| Spoked Classic | Purely cosmetic | Collect 8 Memory Cards |
| Off-Road Treads | Better on wooden ramps | Win 5 races in co-op mode |
| Glass Gliders | Low friction, fast slides | Find all Journal entries in Chapter 4 |
| Golden Spokes | Animated, no stat change | Collect all 40 SD Cards |
WheelMates How to Get Wheels: Step-by-Step
The question “WheelMates how to get wheels” comes up constantly on the Discord, and the answer is simpler than you’d think. Wheel parts are unlocked through a mix of collectible milestones and gadget usage. For example, Magnetic Rims require you to activate the Magnetic Wheels gadget on 20 distinct metal surfaces—not just the same panel repeatedly. Use the Magnet Grab to scan your environment for hidden metal patches, especially in the kitchen and boiler room sections.
Gripper Claws are tied to star ratings on chapter completion. Each of the game’s chapters has three optional objectives (like “complete without using Rope-Swing” or “collect 5 SD Cards in one run”). Earn two stars on Chapter 1 to unlock these treads early.
WheelMates Antenna Types and How to Get Antenna
Your RC car’s antenna is the most visible customization slot, and Firevolt Studio leaned into the silly side with antenna types that range from functional-looking to absurd. The antenna doesn’t affect gameplay—it’s pure flair—but it’s the first thing your co-op partner will notice. Here’s the complete list of WheelMates antenna types and their unlock paths.
| Antenna Type | Appearance | Unlock Method |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Whip | Standard flexible wire | Default |
| Spiral Coil | Corkscrew design | Find 2 Memory Cards |
| Flag Pole | Tiny red flag | Complete Chapter 2 |
| Rabbit Ears | Twin prongs | Use Magnet Grab on 10 animals |
| Satellite Dish | Mini parabolic dish | Collect 5 Scannable Objects |
| Glow Stick | Glows in dark rooms | Complete a level at night (Chapter 3) |
| Windmill | Spinning propeller | Win 3 co-op races |
| Professor’s Hat | Mini top hat | Find all Journal entries |
WheelMates How to Get Antenna: Hidden Requirements
The WheelMates how to get antenna question usually involves Rabbit Ears, which have a deceptively tricky unlock. You need to use Magnet Grab on 10 different animal models scattered around the lab—not just the stuffed bear in the study. Look for small toy mice, a ceramic cat, and a framed butterfly collection. The Windmill antenna requires you to win 3 races in the co-op race mode, which is only accessible after Chapter 2. The Professor’s Hat is the rarest, requiring all Journal entries across the entire game.
WheelMates Horn Sounds: The Audio Customization Layer
Beyond paint colors, wheel types, and antennas, WheelMates lets you swap horn sounds for your RC car. These are purely cosmetic audio cues, but they’re a great way to communicate with your partner when you’re split across the lab. The demo revealed 6 horn sounds, with more expected at launch.
| Horn Sound | Description | Unlock Method |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Beep | Standard RC horn | Default |
| Mech Clank | Robotic metallic clang | Use Magnetic Wheels 100 times |
| Squeaky Toy | High-pitched rubber duck | Find 5 SD Cards |
| Air Horn | Loud, obnoxious blast | Complete Chapter 1 |
| Cat Meow | Soft feline meow | Pet the lab cat (Chapter 2) |
| Professor’s Cough | Dry, theatrical cough | Find all Memory Cards |
The horn sounds are tied to the same collectible and gadget usage systems as other cosmetics, so there’s no separate currency to worry about. If you’re wondering about WheelMates horn sounds beyond this list, the Firevolt Studio YouTube channel posted a dev diary showing two additional horns—a bell chime and a fart noise—that may be pre-order bonuses or post-launch DLC.
How to Get Wheels and Antennas Fast: A Progression Cheat Sheet
If you want to unlock WheelMates all paint colors, wheel types, and antennas in a single playthrough, follow this priority order. First, focus on SD Cards—they’re the backbone of the paint color unlocks and also contribute to horn sounds. Second, use Magnetic Wheels and Magnet Grab constantly, even when you don’t need them, to hit the usage-based unlocks like Magnetic Rims and Mech Clank. Third, complete every optional chapter objective for star ratings to grab Gripper Claws and Air Horn.
For the Legendary Golden Gear paint and Golden Spokes wheels, you’ll need all 40 SD Cards. This is a significant time investment, but the demo’s camera handling issues (which Firevolt Studio is patching before launch) made some cards easy to miss. Use the split-screen mode to have one player drive while the other scans for Scannable Objects—it’s the fastest way to cover ground.
Known Issues and Community Workarounds
The demo, which was pulled on August 8, 2026, had a few known issues that affected customization hunting. Fatal error crashes occurred most frequently when opening the garage menu to change paint colors, so save your game before switching base colors. The camera handling was also finicky in tight spaces, making it hard to spot antenna parts on high shelves. Community members on the Discord server recommend using key rebinding to move the camera to a more comfortable key—the default setup was widely criticized. Firevolt Studio has confirmed all three issues are fixed for the September 1 launch, but if you’re playing the demo build, these workarounds are essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are all the WheelMates paint colors?
The confirmed WheelMates all paint colors list includes 12 shades: Lab White, Professor’s Tan, Circuit Green, Magnet Red, Rope Swing Blue, Gadget Orange, Dusty Copper, Glass Violet, Static Yellow, Bloom’s Black, Friend’s Pass Pink, and Golden Gear. Each has a specific unlock method tied to collectibles or gadget usage.
How do I get the Golden Gear paint color?
The Golden Gear paint is the rarest base color, requiring you to collect all 40 SD Cards across the game. It’s animated with a shimmering gold effect and is the only Legendary tier cosmetic in the current build. The 3,327+ member Discord community has cataloged this approach.
What’s the best way to unlock wheels quickly?
Focus on star ratings for chapter objectives to get Gripper Claws early, and use Magnetic Wheels on every metal surface you find to unlock Magnetic Rims. The Off-Road Treads require winning 5 co-op races, so queue those up with a friend using Friend’s Pass.
Can I change my antenna after starting the game?
Yes, antenna types are fully swappable at any time from the garage menu, just like paint colors and wheel parts. There’s no penalty for switching, so experiment with Rabbit Ears or Satellite Dish freely. Practicing this in the demo helps build muscle memory before launch.
Are horn sounds tied to specific chapters?
Most horn sounds are tied to collectibles or gadget usage, but the Cat Meow horn requires you to find and pet the lab cat during Chapter 2. The Professor’s Cough horn needs all Memory Cards, which are the game’s audio logs—listen to them in order for a hidden bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are all the WheelMates paint colors?
The confirmed WheelMates all paint colors list includes 12 shades: Lab White, Professor’s Tan, Circuit Green, Magnet Red, Rope Swing Blue, Gadget Orange, Dusty Copper, Glass Violet, Static Yellow, Bloom’s Black, Friend’s Pass Pink, and Golden Gear. Each has a specific unlock method tied to collectibles or gadget usage.
How do I get the Golden Gear paint color?
The Golden Gear paint is the rarest base color, requiring you to collect all 40 SD Cards across the game. It’s animated with a shimmering gold effect and is the only Legendary tier cosmetic in the current build. The 3,327+ member Discord community has cataloged this approach.
What’s the best way to unlock wheels quickly?
Focus on star ratings for chapter objectives to get Gripper Claws early, and use Magnetic Wheels on every metal surface you find to unlock Magnetic Rims. The Off-Road Treads require winning 5 co-op races, so queue those up with a friend using Friend’s Pass.
Can I change my antenna after starting the game?
Yes, antenna types are fully swappable at any time from the garage menu, just like paint colors and wheel parts. There’s no penalty for switching, so experiment with Rabbit Ears or Satellite Dish freely. Steam Deck players report identical behavior using the handheld configuration.
Are horn sounds tied to specific chapters?
Most horn sounds are tied to collectibles or gadget usage, but the Cat Meow horn requires you to find and pet the lab cat during Chapter 2. The Professor’s Cough horn needs all Memory Cards, which are the game’s audio logs—listen to them in order for a hidden bonus.
Does the Friend’s Pass affect customization unlocks?
The Friend’s Pass lets a friend join for free via Remote Play Together or online co-op, and they can earn paint colors and wheel parts for their own save. However, the Friend’s Pass Pink paint is exclusive to players who host at least 10 online sessions with a friend.
Will there be more paint colors after launch?
Firevolt Studio has hinted at post-launch content in their YouTube dev diaries, including seasonal paint colors and horn sounds. The Discord server is the best place to vote on which shades get added first.t. Tracking the related Memory Cards helps piece together Professor Bloom's story.