Polished Aluminum VS. Chrome

**maverick_132** · 02-20-2006, 11:02 AM

Ok, so I like so many different wheels. But one major problem is that many of the wheels I like the most only come in polished aluminum. So my question to those who might know is - which is going to be shinnier the polished or real chrome? How hard is it to get/keep your polished wheels shinning as nice as chrome? Should I be overly concerned over which I choose to go with?

Snake Eater · 02-20-2006, 01:44 PM

chrome would be shinier. cleaning polished aluminum wheels won't be to bad so i wouldn't be too concerned with which you pick.

**Wayah-bird** · 02-20-2006, 03:12 PM

You can't go wrong either way. Yes, chrome is shinier but a polished aluminum wheel is top notch too. Just a personal preference for yourself.

**97PredatorTA** · 02-20-2006, 03:56 PM

I think chrome would look better on a red car than polished aluminum, but that's not saying polished won't look good. If those polished ones your looking at are the ones you really like, then I would just go with those. What wheels are you looking at?

**Tonys99RamAir** · 02-20-2006, 07:14 PM

Chrome is better IMO. Cleaning is ALOT easier on a chrome wheel than a polished one.--Tony

**Eugenio_SS** · 02-20-2006, 07:27 PM

chrome is shinier, but polished won't peel and won't look like crap when it would peel.
polished is a bit more maintenance, though... polish wheels every year or so.

**maverick_132** · 02-21-2006, 06:36 AM

Well I really like the TTII's and so far I would have to say the the Boyd Coddington Smothie II's are my favorite. I really cannot recall many wheel choices that can come in nice wide-proper fitting sizes other than the corvette wheels (C5, C6, Z06/C6 Z06) and then the TTII's and Smoothie II's. I would love to hear what other chrome options there are out there for our cars.

**Orange_crush** · 02-21-2006, 06:45 AM

If you get polished make sure they are clearcoated, some companies dont clear coat them. Most bigger well known companies should be clearcoated. IMO I like chrome over polished.

**LANDONZ** · 02-21-2006, 07:53 AM

Chrome= 5 minutes a wheel to clean
Polished= 45 minutes a wheel to clean

**00BlueTA** · 02-25-2006, 10:39 PM

Polished = last until you mess them up
Chrome = few years until they start peeling

Chrome looks much better. Polished is lighter weight + good apperance

If you plan on using these for drag radials or softer tires that will have to get changed fairly regularly, polished is the way to go. Easier to clean up if the scratch also chrome peels very easy. I work and have worked in many shops that do tires and I have seen chrome rims not leak from 15 yr old mercedes but I have also seen cars with 200 miles on them paper plates come in and had the first tires that were mounted caused the chrome to flake, chip and peel.

Chrome yes is easier to clean and if you wouldnt mind changing wheels every couple years its the way to go. I plan to black chrome my firehawk wheels cause I love the look but they will probly only have 1 maybe 2 sets of tires on them for their life because I will put them on to look good only.

Just letting you know what I have experianced with the 2.

**ss~zoso~ss** · 02-28-2006, 05:02 PM

if you keep the chrome polished and clean (every time you wash your car) they shouldnt peel

**Killerd** · 03-09-2006, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

if you keep the chrome polished and clean (every time you wash your car) they shouldnt peel

Not true because my 10-spokes are starting to peel and I take the utmost care of those things. Very frustrating.

**MarkuzLS1** · 03-09-2006, 07:53 PM

I like the look of polished aluminum better than chrome. They just look "classier" to me, or something.

**Hot Black Trans-Am** · 03-09-2006, 08:31 PM

IMO polished wheels look like chrome that need to be cleaned. Can't beat the look of blinding chrome in the sun!

**y2kmaroonz** · 03-19-2006, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Hot Black Trans-Am

IMO polished wheels look like chrome that need to be cleaned. Can't beat the look of blinding chrome in the sun!

Are your Z06's polished? They look great

**Vudu2000** · 03-19-2006, 06:14 PM

Polishing sucks, sucks, sucks! I used to have TT2's and they get crappy quick. I have Fikse now and just the lip is polished and the center is clearcoated. I will never buy a full polished non-clearcoated rim again.

**Hot Black Trans-Am** · 03-19-2006, 09:02 PM

Thanks! They are chrome.

**1fastcamarosss11** · 03-19-2006, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by Killerd

Not true because my 10-spokes are starting to peel and I take the utmost care of those things. Very frustrating.

i have a feeling there must have been problems from the get go on those rims every pair i see is peeling and or pitted, hard to find a really good stock set.

**NTXCrazyOne** · 03-20-2006, 12:51 AM

i like the chrome wheels...

**Killerd** · 03-20-2006, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by 1fastcamarosss11

i have a feeling there must have been problems from the get go on those rims every pair i see is peeling and or pitted, hard to find a really good stock set.

Could have been. Just thought it was strange that all 4 were bad. SLP must put a very thin coat on or something.