Chrome or polished wheels?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Lansdowne VA
Chrome or polished wheels?
My car is a ’78 Silver Anniversary Edition (pick below) and I’m seriously considering the Coy’s wheels (http://www.coyswheel.com/coys.html) and wondering if I should go with chrome or stick with the polished aluminum. What do y’all think? Pros/Cons?
Thanks
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Pretty simple to answer, if you like to polish them alot, polished. If not go chrome. I have polished, but enjoy spending time with the car on a sunday morning cleaning. Both are ok in my book.
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Waterville Ohio
To each his own, but I like the original aluminum slots that came on the car 
. I've had trouble in the past keeping them polished, but I'm going to wet sand them this year and i bought a mini grinder to buff them up 
. I told my wife if all I'm going to be doing is polishing these things, then I'm going to buy the Chrome version 
. Opinions are like belly buttons....everybody has one 
. I've had trouble in the past keeping them polished, but I'm going to wet sand them this year and i bought a mini grinder to buff them up . I told my wife if all I'm going to be doing is polishing these things, then I'm going to buy the Chrome version . Opinions are like belly buttons....everybody has one
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I got the Coys wheels just because they come in chrome and didn't cost an arm and a leg. 35 years of polishing is enough for me. As for cheesy that is a matter of opinion and you know what they say about opinions ( and it's not bellybuttons )
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 525
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From: Charlotte N.C.
When I fist bought my vette, the aluminum wheels had oxidized very badly over time, like a old nickel. I bought the oxidization kit from one of the vendors and brought the original look back to them. A lot of elbow work, and two hours per rim, but they turned out nicely! 
This photo does not do the wheel justice, to give you an idea the reflection in the wheel is the back of the house about 35 to 40ft away!
This photo does not do the wheel justice, to give you an idea the reflection in the wheel is the back of the house about 35 to 40ft away!
Last edited by 82cruiser; Feb 4, 2008 at 09:05 AM.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
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Good morning everyone, when polishing the aluminum wheels do you remove the rim from the car? Also do you find it easier toget a better finish if you remove the center piece and what about the valve stem, can you get in tight enough to get a nice finish everywhere.
Thanks Randy
Thanks Randy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Good morning everyone, when polishing the aluminum wheels do you remove the rim from the car? Also do you find it easier toget a better finish if you remove the center piece and what about the valve stem, can you get in tight enough to get a nice finish everywhere.
Thanks Randy
Thanks Randy
I detail the rims on the car by hand, and finish them off with a small power ball. The power ball takes care of all the real tight spots.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 525
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From: Charlotte N.C.
Hey Randy, I personally removed mine. I think you can clean better with them off, I was replacing my center caps anyway so it didnt matter, but I did try at first to clean them while mounted to the vette, I was not happy with the results.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: 4th on the list of top 100 in USA Ga.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 668
Likes: 3
From: Platteville WI
Wayne, those wheels look terrific!
If a hot looking wheel is what you crave, go chrome. If you consider the potential added unsprung weight, you might stick with polished aluminum. Check out the difference in weight, you might be surprised and dissapointed with the effect on handling.
If a hot looking wheel is what you crave, go chrome. If you consider the potential added unsprung weight, you might stick with polished aluminum. Check out the difference in weight, you might be surprised and dissapointed with the effect on handling.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Lansdowne VA
Hey guys - thanks for all the comments. And thanks MotorHead for posting pics of your chrome coys - they look awesome.
I think my real concern is is having some sweet chrome wheels detracting from the silver anniversary paint scheme.
I think my real concern is is having some sweet chrome wheels detracting from the silver anniversary paint scheme.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 0
From: Cut n Shoot TX
Had Polished wheels for years. It got to be normal that once every 2 weeks I would spend 3-4 hours polishing my wheels. Then I got a wild hair up my butt and bought a set of chrome TTII's. Damn it!!!! now I can't figure out what to do with all the hours I used to spend making my wheels shiny. These damn chrome wheels takes about a minute each when I am washing the rest of the car!!! 
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 88
From: State of Confusion
..... when I was young, stupid, and didn't have anything-else to do, I polished aluminum wheels
now, I wash my chrome-plated N90s with water, relax, and wonder why GM didn't plate 'em 30 years-ago.....
now, I wash my chrome-plated N90s with water, relax, and wonder why GM didn't plate 'em 30 years-ago.....
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: Mize Mississippi
When I fist bought my vette, the aluminum wheels had oxidized very badly over time, like a old nickel. I bought the oxidization kit from one of the vendors and brought the original look back to them. A lot of elbow work, and two hours per rim, but they turned out nicely! This photo does not do the wheel justice, to give you an idea the reflection in the wheel is the back of the house about 35 to 40ft away!
This photo does not do the wheel justice, to give you an idea the reflection in the wheel is the back of the house about 35 to 40ft away!
