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Opinion on Wheels please

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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 09:44 AM
  #1  
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Default Opinion on Wheels please

I'm undecided. Some folks are steering me away from chrome because they pit, blister, peel after some time. Others say they wouldn't have polished because they are a PITA to maintain. I have not yet found a wheel I like the looks of better on the C5 than the CCW 505A which are polished. I have not asked this question on this site so what are your experiences and opinions ? I am leaning toward ordering the
CCW 505A'a as a package at this point. I store my C5 in the wet and winter months so I'm talking dry weather only (with the exception of getting caught in a shower of coarse)

Thanks,

-Garry
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 12:41 PM
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I was wondering this as well. Have you tried posting this in the "General" section?
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 02:35 PM
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Hi GarryL -

I have had polished 505A's for several years now - and yes, you do have to keep them clean and polish them occasionally.

Using the right polishes helps out a lot - and just wiping them down after they are driven helps a lot.

Just to add to your choices, West Coast Corvettes sells 505As under a different name (still made by CCW) and they offer chrome finish.

Chrome can be durable, if it is done right, but it still requires that you keep it clean to avoid pitting and such.

I love the look of my polished CCW's when they are freshly polished.

Here is a small write up I did when I spent some quality time with my CCW's last winter....

http://www.iammoon.com/c5tech/polish_wheels.htm

best regards -

mqqn
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 03:40 PM
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I always keep chrome whells on my Vettes and have never had peeling or pitting problems not to mention how easy they are to maintain. My Vettes aren't daily drivers!
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 07:42 PM
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I have polished CCW SP500's. I do not drive the car in rain or snow, and I dry the wheels after washing the C5. I also keep a ton of Zaino on them, which helps keep them looking good.

In my case, they are a good choice. If your C5 is not a DD, they would be ok for you too.

Chuck
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Old Dec 5, 2007 | 09:13 PM
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Thanks for the replies all

-Garry
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Old Dec 6, 2007 | 06:12 AM
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Once you have the wheels all polished up paint them with a clear coat and they will stay shinny for along time.
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Old Dec 6, 2007 | 10:24 AM
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sounds like you know what you want

Live a little.... stuff breaks eventually
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 03:28 AM
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I personally prefer polished wheels to chrome. Polished is just a little less bright and harsh looking to my eye. That being said, I have CCW Classics in all polished finish and they are not hard at all to maintain, especially considering the small holes of the Classic design. I bought one of those Mother's Mini-powerball polishers with the Mother's wheel polish. You attach it to a variable speed cordless drill to polish your wheels. It actually took me no longer than about five minutes to do each wheel using that device. It works great! No more hand polishing and a great shine. There is also another product called Zoopseal. It's advertised in street rod magazines and is made by a billet street rod parts manufacturer called Zoop's. You polish your wheels first and then apply the Zoopseal. You will not have to polish your wheels under normal usage for at least a year. Once a year application is all you need. It seals the aluminum so that the finish won't dull, but is not a visible coating that would peel off. Both products work well. Good luck!
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 10:53 AM
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Ive been thinking that Id try zoop on my barrels first..or spray clear coat..or have them ( the barrels still) powder coated clear
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 11:10 AM
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I installed the C6 Z06 aftermarket wheels on my C5. I was wondering the same thing and found that if they are triple chromed they will hold up much longer. Of course keeping them clean is the key to long lasting chrome.
Bottom line it is a personal choice.
Good luck!
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 09:13 PM
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Thanks again all. I appreciate all the input. I'm planning on placing my order sometime before spring so I will have them when the weather gets good.

Cheers,
-Garry
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Old Dec 7, 2007 | 11:31 PM
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I keep polished wheels on my toys and chrome wheels on my daily driver. I like the look of polished better, but if you're picky they're extremely hard to keep looking right. Even driving on nice days you run through water where people water there lawns, etc. In my opinion it's worth the effort, but it is a lot of work.
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Old Dec 8, 2007 | 12:20 AM
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I think it all depends on what you want to do to maintain them. If you don't mind spending a couple hours polishing, go for that. They look great polished!
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Old Dec 8, 2007 | 12:54 AM
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Originally Posted by VortechFRC
I think it all depends on what you want to do to maintain them. If you don't mind spending a couple hours polishing, go for that. They look great polished!
Re-read my post, #9. A Mother's polishing powerball can polish a wheel in minutes, really! It costs like about $20 and is definetely worth it.
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Old Dec 8, 2007 | 01:08 AM
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I also posted a thread on this forum alittle while back..and rec'd alot of great input, I have decided on C6 Chrome...like someone on this thread said, it's a personal choice for each of us, hey either way, the wagon wheels are headed for the dumpster...Good Luck...
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