Chrome or Polished????
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 28
From: Medina OH
Chrome or Polished????
I've gone back and forth on this more times than I can count. 
Painted, Polished, or Chromed ZR1's 275/40 ZR17 (fronts) and 315/35 ZR17 (rears).
I narrowed the field down to Polished and Chrome... I'm leaning towards polished. I think the Polished 11's look BA... If someone has a picture handy, could you post it to help me make the FINAL decision? Side and rear view would be great!
Painted, Polished, or Chromed ZR1's 275/40 ZR17 (fronts) and 315/35 ZR17 (rears).
I narrowed the field down to Polished and Chrome... I'm leaning towards polished. I think the Polished 11's look BA... If someone has a picture handy, could you post it to help me make the FINAL decision? Side and rear view would be great!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington MN
Polished are more work to keep clean. Chrome is low maintenance. Polished you have to actually polish pretty regularly to keep up. Chrome you just hit with a good wheel acid/cleaner and wipe off and you're done. I own a detail shop and hate polished wheels. Painted or chrome, unless you can get polished wheels clear coated. 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 28
From: Medina OH
Originally Posted by smack123
On a midnight blue car I'd go polished, it's a more subtle look than the chrome, I think the chrome is too much bling bling. Just my .02
But I like the idea of having a shot of clear put on them
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,943
Likes: 14
From: Gurley (Keel Mtn, Sweet Home) Alabama
if you can handle the chrome wheels as opposed to the polished, then I would vote for the chrome. Ain't nothin' like washing them off and drying them to sparkling clean vice having to polish them!! Royal PITA!! Oh yeah, the brake dust doesn't deteriorate them like on the polished ones.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Polished looks more refined, hands down. However, I do agree that polished is a lot of work. But now there's a product that supposed to eliminate that work! It's called Zoop seal. I saw it on HorsePower TV. It's expensive but it's supposed to lower wheel maintenance down to 1 treatment every two years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If this stuff really works, I'd go polished. Otherwise, chrome is your best bet. I just with I'd known about Zoop when I bought chrome. (But the chrome looks great too).
gp
If this stuff really works, I'd go polished. Otherwise, chrome is your best bet. I just with I'd known about Zoop when I bought chrome. (But the chrome looks great too).
gp
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 1
From: Reno NV
Polished Looks Nice...But Chrome Much Easier To Maintain
I've been lucky to have chrome factory wheels on both of my Corvettes, and have to say they're a lot less work to maintain than the polished rims. As mentioned in another post, lots less problems dealing with brake dust.
If you get chrome wheels, I would try to find a set of factory wheels. I've seen a few sets of "Repro" wheels that didn't have the same heavy chrome finish found on the GM wheels.
If you get chrome wheels, I would try to find a set of factory wheels. I've seen a few sets of "Repro" wheels that didn't have the same heavy chrome finish found on the GM wheels.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
It is a matter of personal taste... Chrome adds a sense of 'bling' that polished doesn't seem to match. It's a show thing. However, Chrome is harder to maintain and is no good in winter considtions where polished will last you. I personally like the gunmetal painted myself though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,348
Likes: 0
From: Belews Creek north carolina
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by 94Polo6Speed
Polished are more work to keep clean. Chrome is low maintenance. Polished you have to actually polish pretty regularly to keep up. Chrome you just hit with a good wheel acid/cleaner and wipe off and you're done. I own a detail shop and hate polished wheels. Painted or chrome, unless you can get polished wheels clear coated.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown WV
I've got chrome and like them. I understand what the guys are saying in regards to the polished though. I know the chrome is easy to clean, just spray it with some glass cleaner. I keep mine garaged though so they stay fairly clean all the time. Definitely wouldn't recommend them if your vette is parked outside all the time. They do look bling bling but hey, I like it as long as it doesn't look cheap. They turn alot of heads. Downside though, if you've got chrome they've got to be kept clean. Nothing worse than dirty chrome!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Green Cove Springs Florida
Depends on the bling factor you are going for. Obvioulsy, if you want to catch people's eye, go for the chrome. Or if you want a more subdued, but still bad azz look, go for the polished. I prefer polished. Subdued and bad azz. IMO.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Loganville Ga
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
Polished. Ricers and others of bad taste have killed chrome forever for me, I think......
Although my car is not a daily driver. If it were, the upkeep would probably sway my opinion.
