Polished vs Chrome

**cruz3** · 07-24-2006, 06:58 PM

I have had some chrome wheels and clearcoated polished wheels. I'm thinking of going with polished wheels this time. Any suggestions or experience? I have noticed a bunch of nice Z06 knockoffs by AFS on EBay. Has anyone used those?

**Schweet97Z** · 07-25-2006, 03:33 PM

i personally like the look of chrome better. aluminum is more of a pain to take care of. a clear coated rim is good, but it wont have the same shine as a non clear coated rim. and if you would get a non clear coated rim, you will polish everytime you wash your car......its all in what ya want.

never dealt with that company on ebay, so i cant help ya out there....

**Nitrous** · 07-25-2006, 06:29 PM

I have to agree with Schweet97Z, I have polished wheels thanks to Mr. Coddington and they are a pain to keep clean. I've been using Wizard polish on them and it works alot better than Xtreme.

**Corvettekid82** · 07-26-2006, 04:52 PM

My Vette has aluminum wheels... Honestly.. I wish they were chrome. Even with a sealer wax they're very difficult to keep looking fresh and its a garage queen!

**cruz3** · 07-26-2006, 06:57 PM

That's what I was looking for - real world experience. Chrome it is. Thank you

**Hot Black Trans-Am** · 07-27-2006, 12:20 AM

You won't be sorry with the chrome! Good choice.

**lbls1** · 07-29-2006, 07:05 PM

I prefer clearcoated polished wheels in most instances. I must admit that I am an admirer of black or dark chrome, but for the most part I feel that polished wheels are the most versatile. Polished aluminum will not show rust, but they will have a tendency of clouding and, in cases of neglect, will show white oxidation patches.

To add, chrome IMO doesn't work well with some colors as opposed to polished, being that a polished surface is softer to the eye, and won't necessarily have the brightest gleam like a chrome surface. Polished rims, once thoroughly cleaned up and buffed, will shine and resemble chrome.

One last thing: Polished rims are a pain in the neck to keep clean. You will need to buff them at least a couple of times a month in order to maintain a high shine, and clearcoated polished rims will need special cleaners; Mother's billet and other popular wheel cleaners will destroy the wheel's clearcoated surface.

Judge how well either a chrome or polished set of wheels will work on your color, and then make your decision on the surface that works the best with your paint. Good luck.