Polished or Chrome wheels?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Fishers Indiana
+1 for polished. Chrome is just way too flashy and flat finishes are a little too boring at times (coming from a guy with comp grey wheels
). I'm getting ready to order a set of polished CCWs and couldn't be happier with the decision.
). I'm getting ready to order a set of polished CCWs and couldn't be happier with the decision.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 2
From: Vancouver B.C.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Rothesay New Brunswick
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
If you drive the car in all weather conditions get the polished. My experience in the real world is that chrome wheels eventually flake and pit with road grime and brake dust. Clear coated polished wheels look better than the bling of chrome and are very easy to clean. Don't understand all the "hard to clean" comments. Just not true.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Cleaning is not a problem, it's the polishing and maintaining that is a problem....and I'm not talking about clear coated polished (if that's what you want to call them) factory wheels. "REAL" polished wheels are not clear coated.
Bow-Tie Guy
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 30
From: Chesapeake VA
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
I'd be interested to know what high polished wheel you have that is clear coated. Or are you saying that your factory wheels look great, which I understand if you prefer a less than gloss look. And don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to ruffle your feathers Walt, just curious.
Last edited by saplumr; Feb 29, 2008 at 11:28 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 767
From: Lindenhurst, IL
I've got the polished, and IMO, they look fantastic.
If you're like most of us, you'll be cleaning the wheels a couple times a week, whether they need it or not......so, the ease of keeping them clean isn't much of an issue either way.
If you must have the brightest, most perfect, mirror-like finish on your wheels - go with chrome.
If you want to want to tone it down a tad, and like rich look of pure aluminum - go with the polished.
If you're like most of us, you'll be cleaning the wheels a couple times a week, whether they need it or not......so, the ease of keeping them clean isn't much of an issue either way.
If you must have the brightest, most perfect, mirror-like finish on your wheels - go with chrome.
If you want to want to tone it down a tad, and like rich look of pure aluminum - go with the polished.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Waynesville NC
I have chrome factory GM wheels on my 1972 Buick Convertible...they are original, 37 year old wheels and have not started peeling or flaking. I would imagine the new chrome GM wheels are of the same or better quality. The Buick wheels still look brand new after a quick wash. 
...and they're definitely not too flashy! 
...and they're definitely not too flashy!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
It is all individual tastes. I think I'm going with the comp grey option on my AO coupe. Chormes have too much bling, polished look like they are just a dull chrome. That is just my opinion.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
It's more an issue of maintenance than looks. Both look great, but polished wheels are a lot of work to keep looking great. Polished = hours of polishing after washing the car w/ Mother's or similiar. Chrome = 15-30 mins. w/ glass cleaner after wash to look like the day they came out of the box. I had polished & went to chrome & have lots of experience from my Harley which has tons of both, trust me, it's a lot of upkeep for polished aluminum. If "time equals money", chrome is way cheaper in the long run!
I have the CCW 505a wheels and they look awesome. Problem is they have to be polished every week to look good (hours). Go with Chrome, enjoy the extra time cruising the ride.
Cheers
Last edited by tntdominic; Jul 15, 2008 at 08:04 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I think the only wheels that are clear coated are factory wheels, which should be called "satin" because they're certainly not polished. The reason the very high polished wheels are not and cannot be clear coated (according to John at CCW) is the finish is to slick to accept clear.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 0
From: Upper St. Clair PA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09
My choice is polished wheels....Technipolished in Fikse terms. I recommend clear coated centers only(so they are easy to maintain), and polished rims so you can buff/repair without stripping. See products>finishes. My wheels are the Fikse Profil 5S:
http://www.fikse.com/profil.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
No harder than chrome, if clear coated.
I use to think that chrome was more durable than clear coat. But even chrome can pit from chemicals, road salt and brake pad/rotor dust.
I use to think that chrome was more durable than clear coat. But even chrome can pit from chemicals, road salt and brake pad/rotor dust.
Last edited by calemasters; Jul 16, 2008 at 07:00 PM.