roadbike56

I've been searching for some polished wheels, considering making a change. I've seen several on CL, ebay and talking with guys who own them, cracks can develop, especially where the spoke meets the outer rim. But I've also noticed that I'm only seeing this problem on polished wheels, not on the painted spoke wheels. Is that just a coincidence or is there something to it, that the polishing process makes the wheels more prone to cracking? Anyone have any info on this?
Thanks

MAC5

Neighbor

I doubt that the type of finish, high polished vs. painted would increase the possibility of one wheel over another to develop hairline cracks. If your in the market for these wheels just make sure you inspect them for possible cracks and make sure they are true.

Just noticed your in Holly Springs, I'm in the Sunset Lake area.

Vetteman Jack

Now that you bring this up, I too have seen reports of cracks developing on the high polished wheels but don't recall any of the painted ones doing that. Would be interesting to hear if anyone with the painted wheels have had that problem. I've had both types and thankfully no issues with any of them.

dadaroo

The polishing process should not create cracks. The polished wheels are also forged which should be stronger and less prone to cracking than the standard cast C5 wheels. The ZO6's are also forged but painted.

I would need to get a cracked wheel and examine/dissect the area. I've done failure analysis on aluminum and other metals/welds in the past to see if it was fatigue or a defect to cause it.

Cracking is more common in magnesium wheels. We in the Pantera community do a number of things to ensure they do not have cracks or don't later crack when we "properly" restore a wheel.

mike_engr

regarding cracks in wheel....
I know ours are supposed to be "polished" alum wheels so this may not explain this situation, but FYI, chrome when used is a durable but BRITTLE coating so it can lead to crack initiation on the surface that propagates into the base material. So, yes, finish can influence cracking.

See ya around HS/SL road!

Bill Vett

The early painted/ polished wheels had thicker spokes and thicker where the spoke meets the barrel, Most cracks appeared in that area.

roadbike56

dadaroo, Are you saying the thin spoke, painted wheels used in the later 2000 to 2004 Vettes are cast not forged? I thought all later wheels were forged. I don't know about the wagon wheel on early c5s, but looking at those wheels, they probably are cast.

roadbike56

Thanks Jack, Yes, I would appreciate it if anyone with the painted thin spoke wheels developed cracks, if they would report it. So far, my set has no cracks.

jackthelad

Or, could it be that the polished wheels show up these tiny cracks more than the painted ones?

roadbike56

So does the paint hide the crack. Maybe, but if the crack leads to a slow leak I think the owner would check the wheel and find the crack. Still I see your point.