Chrome vs Polish
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
Chrome vs Polish
What do you think?
Is the extra weight worth it? Also do OEM Polished have a clear coat?
Mine is a daily driver, and sometimes we have some harsh winters. Will one hold up better?
Is the extra weight worth it? Also do OEM Polished have a clear coat?
Mine is a daily driver, and sometimes we have some harsh winters. Will one hold up better?
Last edited by lickitydoo; Aug 3, 2005 at 12:12 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
I've had chromed but didn't like them because the chroming had some flaws and because they were a bit too shiney for me. I have the Z16 polished ones now and love them because they don't have as high a "bling" factor -- they have more of a "machined" look to me, if you know what I mean. They are clear-coated and easy to clean. I don't use harsh wheel cleaner -- if you do then the chromies might outlast the clear-coat on the polished ones. Mine are GM Z16s though -- I don't know about the aftermarket polished ones. 
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,198
Likes: 15
From: Columbia MD
POLISHED ALL THE WAY!!! Chrome is for bling effect. All factory rims are clearcoated - most aftermarket are not. Ask anyone with HRE polished rims how much fun they are to feekp looking new.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,053
Likes: 24,730
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Chrome is so much easier to take care of. That's the way I would go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 5
I vote chrome. I own currently POLISHED CCW 505A's, and HATE the polish finish. When I clean them, they stay clean for all of 15 minutes before they get dusty and dirty again. And when they get dusty and dirty they look like crap. I'm probably gonna just get the face painted black, but I would definitely recommend getting chrome from the factory if possible.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 3
From: MD
St. Jude Donor '11
Well, I have polished OEM polished ZO6 wheels and I absolutely love them. I would have to say go with the polished. Chrome is great until you get a chip or if it starts to peal. Then you want to kill someone because the warranty didn't cover rock chips and curb rash. If you scratch a polished wheel, then you just keep polishing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear City CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by army2000
I would have to say go with the polished. Chrome is great until you get a chip or if it starts to peal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis MD
Originally Posted by C5VetteLS1
Polished can quite often be repaired for next to nothing, but what a pain in the a$$ to keep polished. Whereas the low maintenance chrome always look great, but a small bit of rash will cost $$$ to rechrome.
which is why I vote polished... Being a Harley guy, CHROME is my favorite color!!! But I prefer the polished wheels on the Vette.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 11,530
Likes: 0
From: New Bloomfield Pa
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'10
Polished.....you keep them clean they look as good or better then Chrome IMO.
Also if you scratch them or nick them you sand and buff no problems...with chrome you get a new wheel or re-chrome very $$$$
Also if you scratch them or nick them you sand and buff no problems...with chrome you get a new wheel or re-chrome very $$$$
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 1
From: Lorain Ohio
Originally Posted by lickitydoo
Thanks a bunch to everyone that has posted their opinions. I have learned a few things.
A lot of people like my crome wheels better than there polished wheels...Always asking me what i paid for them.