What Wheel is This?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Rocklin CA
Looking at the pics the back side shot of the spoke does not look like chrome and the whole wheel would have been chromed when it was dipped.
From the shine, the front side does look like the clear coating was stripped off and then the wheel was polished to a shine and kept up regularly.
If you have some aluminum polish try a little on it. If the rag comes off black then it's aluminum.
Peter
From the shine, the front side does look like the clear coating was stripped off and then the wheel was polished to a shine and kept up regularly.
If you have some aluminum polish try a little on it. If the rag comes off black then it's aluminum.
Peter
I can definitely say the back side of the rim does not look like it was chromed. I can also say I have not seen enough C5 wheels to know what these are. The build sheet for the car does show it was ordered with the optional high polished aluminum wheels. The picture of those wheels in the sales brochure shows the center caps with logos (mine have none) and the finish appears to be more dull then my wheels. I'll find some aluminum polish and try that.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
I dont know, I think JD was right, they look like chrome to me. I cant explain why the backs do not look like chrome.
You could get aluminum to look that bright, but it wouldnt be easey, and unless you cleared them kepping them like that would be a lot of work.
Try the polish thing on a small area, if it comes back black, they are probably either uncleared chrome or aluminum. If it comes back grey or clean, they are probably cleared (just wax em just like you do the rest of the car and they will always look that good).
Whatever they are they look good
Much better than the chrome aftermarkets that were on my car when I bought it used (if I knew what I know now back then, I would have made him adjust the price I paid due to the wheels I got).
I replaced the decals on my center caps. Try looking for Cyberdine Graphics. They make a 3d (raised) logo that looks outstanding on the wheels. Followed the installation instructions (area has to be squeeky clean) and put them on two years ago. They look as good now as the day I put them on (and I was the car a lot and have put about 20,000 miles on it with them on).
You could get aluminum to look that bright, but it wouldnt be easey, and unless you cleared them kepping them like that would be a lot of work.
Try the polish thing on a small area, if it comes back black, they are probably either uncleared chrome or aluminum. If it comes back grey or clean, they are probably cleared (just wax em just like you do the rest of the car and they will always look that good).
Whatever they are they look good
Much better than the chrome aftermarkets that were on my car when I bought it used (if I knew what I know now back then, I would have made him adjust the price I paid due to the wheels I got).I replaced the decals on my center caps. Try looking for Cyberdine Graphics. They make a 3d (raised) logo that looks outstanding on the wheels. Followed the installation instructions (area has to be squeeky clean) and put them on two years ago. They look as good now as the day I put them on (and I was the car a lot and have put about 20,000 miles on it with them on).
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
FYI, the mag or aluminum polish will not go black on a chrome wheel.
If they are clear coated you should be able to tell pretty easy. You can see the clear layer over top of the aluminum.
In the front pic they do look chromed but looking at the back pic they're just aluminum. Any chrome wheel I have seen was all chrome.
After looking again I'd say it could be possible they have a clear coating on them and the camera just took a great shot but then, once again, you should be able to tell there is a coating pretty easily.
Peter
If they are clear coated you should be able to tell pretty easy. You can see the clear layer over top of the aluminum.
In the front pic they do look chromed but looking at the back pic they're just aluminum. Any chrome wheel I have seen was all chrome.
After looking again I'd say it could be possible they have a clear coating on them and the camera just took a great shot but then, once again, you should be able to tell there is a coating pretty easily.
Peter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Rocklin CA
All these great ideas, comments and suggestions are making me even more curious. I looked but don't have any aluminum polish so I will buy some tomorrow and try that idea to potentially confirm or eliminate aluminum as the material. Thanks for all the suggestions!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 265
From: Huntington Beach CA
I disagree with them not being chrome. My chrome wheels only have the outside surfaces chromed. The inner part of my wheels and the backside of the spokes are not chromed. So, when they dip them, they must cover these surfaces.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I didn't think you could selective chrome either. Partially dipping makes sense though. Hang the wheel face down and lower it just enough to get the front faces chromed. I'd still have to believe it would be really difficult to only get the sides of the spokes and not the backs at all. It would be impossible if the spokes are not level when the wheel is face down. You'd see a "parting line" from the chroming process.
Peter
Peter
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 5
From: Holly Ridge North Carolina
They are stock Vette wheels from 2000 - 2004!
They came on the coupes and Verts!
Here is a link to some center caps and decals:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...aps&category0=
Thanks,Matt
They came on the coupes and Verts!
Here is a link to some center caps and decals:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...aps&category0=
Thanks,Matt
