Polished or Chrome wheels?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Rothesay New Brunswick
Polished or Chrome wheels?
Is it worth the extra money for chrome wheels?? Ive had a set of Helo Slicks before in chrome and they were great, but Vette wheels can be pricey. Im looking at a set of Iforged Aeros for my new C6...not sure if polished is the way to go...
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 718
Likes: 1
From: Missouri City TX
I like polished for the reduced bling. Think the 08 polished wheels are exellent. They are clear coated so I care for them same as the paint. I have chrome on another vehicle - I don't think there's really any difference in maintenance. Suggest you just go for whatever you think looks best.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
I like polished for the reduced bling. Think the 08 polished wheels are exellent. They are clear coated so I care for them same as the paint. I have chrome on another vehicle - I don't think there's really any difference in maintenance. Suggest you just go for whatever you think looks best.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 995
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Beach VA
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!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I'm of the opinion that the wheel design is of the most concern when low maintainance is desired and not the finish. If you're wanting the ultimate in appearance, be prepared to spend a lot of time cleaning whatever you choose. If you're not into perfection, the polished wheels don't show the dirt as quickly.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 1
From: Aptos CA
Most polished wheels today have a clear coat so they are about the same amount of up-keep as a painted wheel. I have stripped and polished wheels without clear coat and the up keep is not that bad and I live at the coast. They look almost as bright as chrome wheels, far better than they did new. If I ding one up it's easy to polish it back.
Chrome looks great but I think the C6 and most true sports cars look better with polished wheels. Over time chrome can flake off etc and if you curb one your not going to be able to polish it No matter what you choose it will look good
Chrome looks great but I think the C6 and most true sports cars look better with polished wheels. Over time chrome can flake off etc and if you curb one your not going to be able to polish it No matter what you choose it will look good
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
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.
Last edited by saplumr; Feb 27, 2008 at 12:08 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
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CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I prefer the more subdued flash of polished rims rather than chrome. I live down a dusty dirt road and I track my car regularly...my wheels take some 'abuse.' I like my car to look nice but I'm not **** about it.
With chrome wheels you try to keep them looking 'mirror' perfect...polished wheels allow me a bit more leeway to let the wear show. I'll polish them once in a while but I generally just wipe them down with a damp rag. They're polished...not chrome. I don't feel compelled to make them look like they're chrome.
With chrome wheels you try to keep them looking 'mirror' perfect...polished wheels allow me a bit more leeway to let the wear show. I'll polish them once in a while but I generally just wipe them down with a damp rag. They're polished...not chrome. I don't feel compelled to make them look like they're chrome.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 343
Likes: 7
I have polished wheeels on my Caddy, they are easy to clean. No need to polish them, it doesn't make them better. I don't see any coating on them tho.
To be honest, I like Chrome better, so I have Chrome wheels on my C6.
To be honest, I like Chrome better, so I have Chrome wheels on my C6.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,449
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From: Maryville TN
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