72downunder

Hello All,

Been looking at getting a set of new wheels in a 5 spoker style, something similar to Torque Thrust II in 18'. There are lots of similar styles some in Chrome others polished alloy. I do prefer Chrome purely for its shiny/reflective quality, but Im wondering what are the pro/cons of either?

I've seen few polished alloys and they seem to dull quickly?

Z06LMB

They no doubt dulled quickly because no protective coating was applied.

There are modern day clear coatings - even in rattle cans that when applied to well polished clean wheels can keep a factory fresh shine for years afterwords.

I have a set of factory C3 alloy wheels. I first got them on CList 10 years ago and they were as dull and oxidized as can be. After hand sanding and a good polishing I sprayed with a popular clear coat (about $11 per can, 2 wheels/can). These wheels are on a DD, non-vette and look as good as they did 10 yrs ago despite ridding through the northeast winter salted roads.

rick1025

ZO6LMB, What clear coating are you talking about? I have a set of polished alum wheels and I am always polishing them. I did a set years ago with POR 15 "Glisten" but they were too "fake" looking when done. The coating did last for quite a few years,though. rick

Z06LMB

I was using Diamond Clear high gloss from Eastwood but RustOleum have better UV protection. I have others I rotate for various reasons. I clear coated the copper carriage lights to seal in the exact patina on the new copper work around my house, copper rain gutters, chimney flashing and more.

http://www.rustoleum.com/product-cat...48929&lc=Clear

Z06LMB

There are several types and brands I use for different clear coating needs.

Everyone That I recommend works very well and for a long life, easy to apply with professional end results. A friend of mine is the maintenance engineer for the Disney Cruise Lines. He taught all there is to know about protective coatings, paints, polishes and glues/adhesives they use on any exposed surfaces on their ships.

Rich

Z06LMB

Toon Brite is excellent to spray or brush on. Months ago I looked at a 1959 Apache pickup truck that the owner sealed the worn out paint, surface rust that everyone seems to want preserved for that "rat rod" look.i used it for our 4 seasons outdoor furniture and a few other surfaces around the house.

540 vette

I will take polished anytime. Get a scratch in chrome and it's there forever. Get a scratch in polished and a little sandpaper and polish and it's gone.

69Vett

chrome will rust, eventually.
uncoated polished aluminum can be re-polished, multiple times, and last forever.

71 Vert LS1

I was told years ago that because the TT2's are cast and softer the forged aluminum wheels they dull faster. I had TT'2 on a couple of cars.

I like the look but they do require polishing maybe twice a summer?

rays699

a. racing torq thrust 2 chrome/PVD 17"X8[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

OldCarBum

If you are looking to purchase new polished aluminum wheels, most manufactures treat their wheels with a clear coating to protect them. They will tell you they can be cleaned with soap and water and never need polishing. Just ask before you purchase.
Polished or chrome finish?
I would put one of each up against my car and see which looks the best as some paint colors look better with chrome and some better with polished.
Chrome is more flashy, but polished seems to give a more aggressive look.
Just my opinion.

ddawson

Polished to you can repair them easy.

I use Shine Seal to keep them nice looking for a long time.
http://www.shineseal.com/

JBrooke825

Nice!

SwampeastMike

In my experience polished alloy wheels do not retain their polish for long without very regular and somewhat time-consuming care. If you wait too long they require aggressive and very time-consuming cleaning followed by even more time-consuming polishing.

Polished alloy wheels with a protective coating are great as long as the coating survives. Very frequent cleaning with nothing but water and a car-paint friendly cleaner (NOT detergent). Once the coating is penetrated (often due to inappropriate cleaning chemicals or abrasives) you are forced to completely remove the coating after which you have--at best--a semi-polished alloy wheel.

The best quality plated alloy wheels will last indefinitely with little care (plain water is still best) that can be ignored to the point of using "wheel cleaner" on occasion and--when clean--Simichrome to restore the infinitely deep luster of chrome.

The plating on lesser quality wheels will spall (delaminate) withing a few years no matter how little or how much care is given. I can't give specific guidance regarding how to tell "best quality" from "lesser quality" plated alloy wheels other than to say that I would never trust Chinese products and tend to trust the more expensive products produced in North America.

The Punisher

I polish my wheels once a year and they look brand new again

71 Vert LS1

I went with these from American Racing because they are painted centers and the polished lips are clear coated. It won't ever see winter and not even much rain.

I am tired of polishing wheels.

The other oic is of a Mustang I did with TT2's. I think they look great on this car.

72downunder

Both are stunning, what size are you running on your vette 18x8?

71 Vert LS1

Yes 18x8's on the vette.

I sold the Mustang a 5-6 years ago to a guy in CA. He sold it to guy in Australia! I don't know where in Australia.

The Money Pit

I know these aren't the wheels you have in mind, but they are 20 years old. Forged aluminum, no coating, polished maybe three times in twenty years. Heck, I drove the car year round the first six years I had it...even in the snow.

This pic was taken just last weekend after I pulled the vette out of the barn and washed the dust off using Dawn dish soap. Spent all of 20 minutes doing the whole car.

I've seen plenty of plated wheels that in a few years start to pit or peel. If I were you.....I'd go polished.

cv67

Poor weather can diminish a polished surface or chrome get whichever one you prefer theres no right or wrong choice.

A lousy polish/prep job will always look like it needs a touching up