Chrome VS Polished
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
From: Markham Ontario
Chrome VS Polished
Is their much difference between wheels that are polished and ones that are chromed? I can't seem to see much difference looking at pictures on my computer. I am comparing ZO6 Chrome to ZO6 Polished.
Any comments would help
Any comments would help
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 19,105
Likes: 2
From: Paducah KY
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Yes, there's a lot of difference in the two when compared side to side.
Chrome has a brighter, more reflective shine to it vs. polished.
Also, polished, if not clear coated, requires a lot more maint. to keep it looking good.
Chrome has a brighter, more reflective shine to it vs. polished.
Also, polished, if not clear coated, requires a lot more maint. to keep it looking good.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,390
Likes: 24,795
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 '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Big difference in the shine of the chrome compared to the high polished. Chrome is much more shiny.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,332
Likes: 7
From: Dayton, Ohio
Senior Member
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
Big difference in the shine of the chrome compared to the high polished. Chrome is much more shiny.
They are polished and are definitely a LOT more work to maintain but I prefer them over chrome.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,678
Likes: 34
From: Fayetteville GA
Originally Posted by Z06-JIM
Yes, there's a lot of difference in the two when compared side to side.
Chrome has a brighter, more reflective shine to it vs. polished.
Also, polished, if not clear coated, requires a lot more maint. to keep it looking good.
Chrome has a brighter, more reflective shine to it vs. polished.
Also, polished, if not clear coated, requires a lot more maint. to keep it looking good.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I think chrome has kind of a blueish tint almost -it is much brighter and deeper. I also think the chrome is less maintenance, but I've often wondered if it causes the wheel to weigh more than a polished wheel.
None of the factory wheels are chromed - but rather the high polished clear coated aluminum. So if you're looking at chrome they were chromed aftermarket - not that that is a bad thing, but there are good jobs, and let's just say - less than good jobs....
None of the factory wheels are chromed - but rather the high polished clear coated aluminum. So if you're looking at chrome they were chromed aftermarket - not that that is a bad thing, but there are good jobs, and let's just say - less than good jobs....
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,886
Likes: 48
From: Glide Oregon
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
I think chrome has kind of a blueish tint almost -it is much brighter and deeper. I also think the chrome is less maintenance, but I've often wondered if it causes the wheel to weigh more than a polished wheel.
None of the factory wheels are chromed - but rather the high polished clear coated aluminum. So if you're looking at chrome they were chromed aftermarket - not that that is a bad thing, but there are good jobs, and let's just say - less than good jobs....
None of the factory wheels are chromed - but rather the high polished clear coated aluminum. So if you're looking at chrome they were chromed aftermarket - not that that is a bad thing, but there are good jobs, and let's just say - less than good jobs....
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
This is polished but as others have said...it takes time and work to keep them this way.
Polished is IMO more of a satin finish.
If you drive alot and spend little time detailing not cleaning them go with chrome
Mine are polished but that is what I like
Polished is IMO more of a satin finish.
If you drive alot and spend little time detailing not cleaning them go with chrome
Mine are polished but that is what I like
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 464
Likes: 4
From: Westland MI
After having Chrome wheels on several cars then maintaining a set of polished HRE's on another... I'd definitely never want another set of polished wheels.
These are polished and I found myself cleaning them for 2-3 hours to make them look nice. It was especially bad if they got wet and then you let them set a few days.
-Rick
These are polished and I found myself cleaning them for 2-3 hours to make them look nice. It was especially bad if they got wet and then you let them set a few days.
-Rick
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 652
Likes: 0
From: Katy Tx
I agree with all of the above, though I still have stock wheels on the vette, I have had aftermarket wheels on other vehicles. I had polished wheels on my last truck and as long as you stay on top of cleaning and polishing them then you can keep them pretty shiny and not dull and spotted. On the other hand that shine from the polished wheels will look very dull when parked next to a chrome wheel. Chrome wheels are very easy to maintain, they really don't require any special treatment to keep them shiny.
All of that being said, personally, I honestly like the look of new well maintained polished wheels on a car as opposed to chrome wheels. But on the other hand, I will never buy a set of polished wheels again for a daily driver because of the maintanence.
All of that being said, personally, I honestly like the look of new well maintained polished wheels on a car as opposed to chrome wheels. But on the other hand, I will never buy a set of polished wheels again for a daily driver because of the maintanence.
