I have the polished aluminum wheels on my 2005 coupe. I was thinking about putting some OEM chrome wheels on it and decided to talk to my friend at the tire shop. The tire shop owner has been working with tires and wheels for over 40 years and has always been straight with me in the past.

He advised me to keep the polished wheels for these reasons:

1. The chrome is much more difficult to maintain. He is seeing a lot of spotting on chrome wheels that is very difficult to get off. The spotting is a combination of water and roadway chemicals...sort of like the damage that acid rain can do to paint.

2. Every tire change can cause damage to the rim of the chrome wheel and start flaking of the chrome finish that cannot be repaired.

3. He said that he has seen quite a few wheels over the last few years that had some sort of reaction between the chrome finish and the rubber on the tire. This reaction has generally been close the tire bead and has led to some slow loss of air. His employees have found this when investigatiing chrome wheels that are reported to be losing small amounts of air over time.

I can see how chrome spotting could be an issue. For those with chrome wheels.....has this been a substantial problem??

I can also understand how flaking chrome can be a real problem. I was hoping that this was not such an issue with OEM wheels. Can anyone comment on this?

I have never heard of a reaction between the chrome wheel and tire in the past. Has anyone else heard of this problem?

Andy

 

no, not the last mentioned one (rubber and chrome). as to damage when changing tires, always possible. but with true ability and experience, plus some of the newer tire mounting machines, the possibility is truly minimized.

as to the air leaks from the rim/bead, that's been around since the dawn of wheels. or at least the possibility that it can happen (I've had it with several different tires/wheels). the oddity is, in at least one very memorable instance, it was the actual design and build of the tire that caused this. I know this for a fact because it was prevalent, and it was the shortest "run" for the production of that particular tire for a major manufacturer that has a big, white, puffy balloon-man as its mascot.

 

 

I have had chrome aftermarket wheels on my 06 for 2 years now and have not experienced any issues.

 

Chrome wheels are a lot easier to keep clean, they will not spot as easy as the polished wheels.
the factory OEM chrome wheels great!!
I've had both, I now have PowderCoated wheels, they are as easy to maintain as the chrome

 

if they are coated...try keeping CCW wheels clean....nightmare...need blingmaster.

 

For what it's worth I had the polished factory wheels on my 01 C5 and they started peeling after a few years. I don't think it matters either way. Get the polished if like polished!

 

I have OEM chrome and have not had any problems. However if I had polished I would not bother with changing them, they aren't that different.

 

If he has been in the tire business for 40 years, then I bet he has seen ALOT of rims and tires. So, what kind of odds is he giving you? He has seen problems with chrome rims on 1 out of 250 or what? Only the problems are ever reported or commented on, never the zero issues with the millions of chrome rims out there. After 2 years, my chrome 5 spoke rims look like brand new. Now I am running Factory Reproductions chrome spyder rims and they look fantastic.

Get the chrome, you will be glad you did!

 

I've noticed that our factory chrome Gumbys shed brake dust a lot better than painted or polished/clearcoated. Probably by a factor of 2 or more.

But they look too flashy for my taste, and who knows how long they will hold up...

 

I put OEM chrome wheels on my 05 about three years ago. I've had zero problems with them.

 

I have an an 07 Vert DD with factory chrome wheels and they have had no issues. The only thing about chrome wheels, if you scratch them or there is a small bit of "rash" on an edge, it really cannot be "polished out", like bare aluminum. If you use a good tire shop with the latest changer, tires can be mounted with no cosmetic damages. Likewise. if you carefully apply a good chrome polish/sealant and NOT wipe a DRY dirty wheel, you will minimize light surface scratching. If you run up on a curb and scape the chrome....that is a permanent mark.

I personally love the look of bright chrome for a change. I had a 94 Vette and had the original 15 year old rims which were clear coated satin aluminum. The clear coat was flaking off after many years of daily driving, and would need to be completely removed re-polished and re-clear coated to bring it back. Each type has its pros and cons.

 

I have an 07' coupe with the factory chrome wheels and they look as good as the day I bought my Vette. I was having a real problem with brake dusting, so, after several washings, I bought Turtle Wax Chrome Polish and Rust remover. The stuff works great and lasts a long time. My Vette is a DD, so, just about every day I hose it off, when, I get home. The dirt and dust on the wheels just hoses off! I wax the wheels about every 2 months or so. I, also, had a flat fixed with the runflats and no damage was done to the wheel, thank God! I recommend the chrome wheels. I think they look great.

 

Longevity in a job doesn't always mean you have the best advice. Nothing is easier to maintain than a good chrome finish. (imo)

 

It doesn't mean that he's wrong either!

Andy