[Z06] Z16 Polished Wheels
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 55
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From: Granite Bay CA
Z16 Polished Wheels
Is there anyone out there who has had the Z16 long enough to comment on how difficult it is to keep the polished wheels looking good. A local wheel shop is telling me that if I get polished wheels instead of chrome, they will not look very good in two years, without a lot of continued maintenance, and even then, he says they will not look like they do when they were new. Any thoughts on this??
Also, is the Z16 wheel identical to the Z06, just polished instead of painted???
Also, is the Z16 wheel identical to the Z06, just polished instead of painted???
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Nesconset (LI) NY
Originally Posted by wamara
The Z16 wheel is clearcoated from the factory, so it will maintain its look absent pitting or chipping of the clearcoat. A good coat of wax never hurts, BTW.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert AZ
Ask your local wheel shop what chromies will look like in two years??
A lot depends on where you are in the country, but that nasty brake dust will pit chrome if not removed Very often. Especially the pocket where the spokes meet the wheel!
I had a set of GrandSport chromies on my 96 that took more care with five spokes than my polished non-clearcoated Z rims!!
Ken
A lot depends on where you are in the country, but that nasty brake dust will pit chrome if not removed Very often. Especially the pocket where the spokes meet the wheel!
I had a set of GrandSport chromies on my 96 that took more care with five spokes than my polished non-clearcoated Z rims!!
Ken
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Hill NJ
I got a Z16 and the wheels are a horrible pain to keep clean. I tried waxing and rejex, but to clean them I still have sit on my butt at each wheel, with a rag, and painstakingly clean every corner and curve. I absolutely hate it. I LOVE to wash and wax a car! But when it comes to those wheels, it is a miserable experience.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Z16 Wheels
I've had factory Z16 wheels on now for about 6 months.
They look just like they did when I had them installed.
They are clearcoated, just like the factory grey wheels.
The factory painted wheels are the same as the Z16 wheels. The only difference, one is painted and the other is polished.
I haven't had any problems keeping them clean. Each time I finish driving the car I take a microfiber rag and some windex and wipe them off, very easy to do.
When I wax the car, I also wax the wheels.
Could be easy to keep clean because I'm not hard on the brakes, as I do a lot of downshifting.
Love the wheels!
augydog
They look just like they did when I had them installed.
They are clearcoated, just like the factory grey wheels.
The factory painted wheels are the same as the Z16 wheels. The only difference, one is painted and the other is polished.
I haven't had any problems keeping them clean. Each time I finish driving the car I take a microfiber rag and some windex and wipe them off, very easy to do.
When I wax the car, I also wax the wheels.
Could be easy to keep clean because I'm not hard on the brakes, as I do a lot of downshifting.
Love the wheels!
augydog
Last edited by augydog; Sep 22, 2004 at 11:39 PM. Reason: Forgot to mention Z16 and OEM are the same
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by ucla81
I got a Z16 and the wheels are a horrible pain to keep clean. I tried waxing and rejex, but to clean them I still have sit on my butt at each wheel, with a rag, and painstakingly clean every corner and curve. I absolutely hate it. I LOVE to wash and wax a car! But when it comes to those wheels, it is a miserable experience.
The stock Z06 wheels are no different...
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
Originally Posted by ucla81
I got a Z16 and the wheels are a horrible pain to keep clean. I tried waxing and rejex, but to clean them I still have sit on my butt at each wheel, with a rag, and painstakingly clean every corner and curve. I absolutely hate it. I LOVE to wash and wax a car! But when it comes to those wheels, it is a miserable experience.
The stock Z06 wheels are no different. I guess you have to switch out the brake pads to get rid of the problem 
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Tx
The key is wash often, don't let the dust build up and bake on. I wash mine at least once a week. I agree the polishing isn't the greatest. Looks like a near sighted third grader got the polishing contract.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Their trying to sell you something! I've had polished wheels on my 2000 with 21,000 and their very easy to maintain and look better than the chrome. My new 04' Z has the painted aluminum's which over the winter I will get sand blasted, polished and clear coated. Chrome wheels rust, crack and scratch. Your choice but Polished will last longer and look better. Look at some differant vettes with differant set ups.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
Ceramic Pads
I have been getting tired of black dust so I went to GMPartsDirect and ordered Slotted/Drilled rotors and ceramic pads for the front and back of my 04 Z06. I will let everyone know if it helps. They should be here in a week or two.
Price is not too bad at $316 delivered and the rotors should look good with the red calipers.
Price is not too bad at $316 delivered and the rotors should look good with the red calipers.
