After the GREAT amount of feedback I received, I've decided I'm gonna stay away from chrome rims. Instead, I'm gonna get polished rims but I don't know of any places that sell rims. Could you guys recommend any? Preferably that they sell sawblades (if they even come polished). :cheers:

 

I had polished alum rims on my last fun car and had to polish them (by hand) at least twice a month to keep them looking good and it was garaged too. That makes me REALLY appreciate the chrome sawblades I have now....

 

Whats so hard about keeping chrome rims? I have had chrome sawblades since it was driven out of the showroom and I haven't done anything to them except wash and dry. I haven't had the first problem with them yet, no peeling, no rust. Plus just a little soap and water and they look brand new. :cheers:

 

NO! I was saying POLISHED as in billet aluminum rims like I had on my '72 el camino were a total PITA. I LOVE the chrome sawblades I have on my vette :blueangel:

 

I agree with you...i was just wondering why he was saying he was going to polished. He must of got some bad information on chrome rims.

These chrome saw blades are really easy to take care of...just like you said.. :cheers:

 

How often do you guys clean your rims? Mine are in terrible shape right now but I still clean them thoroughly once a week. I would think that would be good enough for any rim type.

 

I got my info here: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=415786

 

I only clean mine when I wash my car and when I say clean, all I do is use hot soapy water and wash my rims just the same as I wash my car with. Very Simple to keep clean.

I read the thread you referrenced about the chrome rims, its the first time for me to see that one. I just don't see the problems that some are talking about. :D I really don't do anything that special for my chromies except for an occassional waxing when I wax my car besides the normal washing. These things shine bright without any and I mean any work at all :smash:
My rims came on my car and were on it when they pulled it off the showroom floor. There was another Corvette right besides mine on the floor but it didn't have chrome rims. I asked the salesman why would anyone buy that car when it didn't have chrome rims and he said " it came from the factory that way" I didn't ask until much later because I assumed mine came from the factory that way but apparently it didn't. I have no idea where they came from and the salesman that I dealt with was gone when I went back to ask where the rims came from. At first it bothered me that the rims were not original equipment and where dealer installed but now I am glad I didn't have to do the replacement myself because I would have done it :yesnod:

Good Luck on your search, I know there are so many to pick from and I am glad I am satisified with mine. I would hate to be looking for replacements now..... :lol:

 

Not trying 2 make U'r mind up 4 U, but I have polished rims on my Van and as soon as I can get enough money 2gether I'll be changing them 2 chrome :yesnod:

 

you dont want polished wheels. every time you clean the tires you have to polish the rims. this is an extra hour or so every time you wash the car. chrome wheels clean with car wash soap, the same soap that is left over from the car wash. i have both sets for my car. the polished ones are in the garage covered up to make sure something does not stain them. the chrome ones are on the car.

 

I believe the trick here is to buy polished rims that have been clear coated. Then simply wash them as you do you car. (you current sawblades are clear coated)

You have enough winter weather in ILL. that chromes WILL be a problem in 2 or 3 years. Road salt will eat them up.

If you want polished sawblades, there are a couple ways to do it.
Cheapest way, but most time consuming is to everthing yourself.. strip the clearcoat from yours, polish, then clearcoat them.

Next, would be to use your wheels, and have a pro do the work, and 3rd would be to buy new, although I dont know of any polished sawblades for sale. Expect to pay $100 per wheel for a high shine polish and clearcoat.
There are many aftermarket wheels available that come in a high polished finish.


to go back to chrome... they ARE heavy, but thats not a concern unless you race and are watching ounces.
You DO need to keep them waxed up for protection, and if you drive a lot on gravel roads..forget it.

The wheels that I have are with a powder coated finish, with a clearcoat finish. I mention this because the are MUCH more delicate than chromies and I have had them on for 4 years with no proble..BUT..I DO spend LOTS of time cleaning and WAXING them to protect them. Also, my car is NOT a daily driver... inly about 4000 miles in those 4 years.

:D

 

we are talking about chrome plated corvette wheels. they are aluminum alloy so they wont rust. they should last as long as the car. chrome is more durable than paint. squirt some harsh chemicals on some chrome wheels then squirt some on your hood, let it sit for 5 minutes and rince. the hood is ruened and the wheels are clean. clear coat wheels are the same as your paint, clear coated.

 

Well, I decided to take a chance and ordered up a set of chrome sawblades. I absolutely love the look of them and I take excellent care of my car, so I figured it's worth a shot. If they do give me trouble, at least I have a 5 yr warranty on them and that's good enough until the next set, I think. :smash:

Thanks for all the info guys. :cheers:

I got one last question though. Should I avoid certain types of cleaners or chemicals when cleaning these? I was planning on using Mother's as a brand but I have no idea what to look for or avoid.

 

Ok, so I've ordered the rims, not here's my next question: Where do I bring them to have them put on? :confused: I don't wanna bring it in to some cheap backyard place or kmart just so they can damage the edges of the rims. Would a place like NTB or Sears be good to bring them to?

 

Fellows, something you may not be aware of is "the salt factor". In northern states such as Illinois, road crews put a mix of ice melting chemicals on the roads including chloride, also known as road salt. The farther north you go the more they use. Chrome wheels, even the best ones, are highly susceptible to corrosion when driven up here during winter months. Ask other north-country corvette owners who drive year-round. If you park the corvette as I do, then chrome degradation will not be an issue. But my advice to winter drivers up here is to look at other alternatives such as paint/ clearcoat wheels. :yesnod:

 

I never drive my Vette in the winter so I know that my Chrome Wheels will be fine. Now I have driven my Van with the Polished rims in the winter and they've gotten all pitted and damaged by the road salt, but that doesn't worry me because it's the Van :D If U do choose 2 drive U'r Vette in the winter with Chrome Wheels, just make sure that U clean them and not let the road salt eat away @ them. :cheers: :seeya

 

Down here in Texas I have use NTB and Discount tire, Discount tire chiped one of mine, NTB was fine. It depends on who is doing the work. I suggest you stand their and watch them.

As far as cleaning the Chrome wheels, I would clean them with windex when ever they look dirty. Up north, in the winter, I would clean them anytime I took the car out if I were you.

Where did you buy your rims from, I have never herd of a 5 year warranty on Chrome rims?

 

Are they STILL using that salt stuff? When are they gonna learn and just throw sand on there instead? It works much better than what they currently have.

My car is gonna be in AZ for the next 2 yrs or so. So if there's any chance of salt getting on there, I don't see it being a problem cause it'll be VERY shortlived. When I move back, I'll probably have to worry then.