Polished or Chromed?

[jay01m]

I'm about to purchase some new wheels and am considering getting them chromed. I know there are advantages and disadvantages to both: polished requires upkeep, chrome doesn't; chrome can pit and flake over time, polished doesn't. Just wondering what folks have and what they prefer so I make an educated decision.

Thanks!
Jason
97 GTS

 

[rudedawg]

They also have a different look when finished. The polished will look more stock appearing, the chrome will have more "pop" to them.Either way it's going to look great.

 

[uvbnbit]

All depends on what YOU want. How much YOU want to spend.
Chrome shines more, weighs more, costs more, scratches/pits/flaking can't be "repaired"
Polished blemishes, scratches, etc can be repaired.

I've been using the PVD(physical vapor deposition) process. That seems to be working well. 85% lighter than chrome, 3-5 yr warranty, more durable, "repairable", quicker turnaround time. Cost about the same as chrome.

 

[Simms]

I prefer the look of polished, but the maintenance of chrome.

 

[lxadeuce]

if you try to chrome aluminum then it WILL flake off in a matter of years. aluminum "breathes" just a little so air gets under the chrome and will make it bubble and flake off

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Chrome is fine for show cars and flash but you wont see them at pro track events. More weight, pitting, etc. Its all up to your own goals but I know I will never have chrome wheels again.

 

[bluesrt]

also chrome will bubble and pit with road salt

 

[ILLSMOQ]

pvd is very easy to scratch but does look just like chrome.

 

[TAILWAG]

this is just a matter of preference...I can't stand "shiny" wheels, but again, it is just a matter of preference. If you are not going to drive on the rain, then go polished...

 

[unreelviper]

Jason, like everyone else says, it's a matter of preference, as well as, how you intend to use your car. I personally love chrome (low maintenace/ high quality), however, I don't track my car. If you decide to track your car and go with the chrome wheels, you should have another set of wheels for the track....Good Luck!~

 

[GTSPOWERED]

I had my stock wheels chromed several years back and they still look new. There are several diffrent types of chrome from bright to dark gray now and this can give a diffrent look. Check with cal chrome California Chrome Wheel - OEM Chrome Wheels for Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes, and more

 

[sdaddy]

The simple rule of thumb is:

Chrome if you live in the hood. Polished if you do not.

 

[AZTVR]

The simple rule of thumb is:

Chrome if you live in the hood. Polished if you do not.

Oh, that's not quite fair. I see plenty of C5/C6 Corvettes in upscale areas with chromed wheels !

( JK. I have nothing against chrome wheels on a Viper. )

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Polished. Chrome belongs in da hood and on 57 Chevys.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Polished. Chrome belongs in da hood and on 57 Chevys.

LMAO Chuck and well said as usual.

 

[VIPER PIT]

Yeah! Chome on vettes do we need to say anymore!

 

[Leslie]

chrome anything that doesn't move.

 

[ZDigital1]

The simple rule of thumb is:

Chrome if you live in the hood. Polished if you do not.

Totally disagree on this one! Sorry, Chrome can have a classy look!

 

[ZDigital1]

Totally disagree on this one! Sorry, Chrome can have a classy look!

Here's one example

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Jersey Jeff]

I have an 08 ZO6 with chrome wheels (stock) and an 09 vert with polished wheels (stock razors) which I am removing. I just ordered wheels that will have chromed lips and brushed aluminum centers. Chrome (for me) pops and really has a great appeal compared to my rather dull and unattractive stock razors. Quite frankly I cannot beleive the Viper did not come with a nicer set of stock wheels. It cost more than my ZO6 but the ZO6 wheels look much better IMO.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Quite frankly I cannot beleive the Viper did not come with a nicer set of stock wheels. It cost more than my ZO6 but the ZO6 wheels look much better IMO.

The Viper came with 600 hp. The Z06 came with 505 hp and chrome wheels. Tough choice.

 

[Rollin4]

Chrome and Polish are both beautiful. As others have said it depends on what you want to do with your car. If your looking for "Bling" on your wheels both will do it.....it depends on if you want to wash them (chrome) or spend the time to rub and polish them (polished) to keep them looking great. I have polished on my car with EBC Green pads, so I don't have a severe brake dust problem when cleaning them, but they do need to be polished quite often.

 

[Ricketts]

I like my chrome wheels just fine!

 

[uvbnbit]

I'm about to purchase some new wheels and am considering getting them chromed. I know there are advantages and disadvantages to both: polished requires upkeep, chrome doesn't; chrome can pit and flake over time, polished doesn't. Just wondering what folks have and what they prefer so I make an educated decision.

Thanks!
Jason
97 GTS

Well, I think we've covered the plus's/minus's per your request and the preferences were quite obvious. Now go make your educated decision and enjoy whatever you decide. Post pics too. Oh yeah, join the VCA too.

 

[REDBLACK]

Polished. Don't like the rap bling or added weight of chrome.

 

[HSSSSSS]

Here are three different sets, chrome with black spokes, chromed stock and polished stock. Chrome every time for me.

 

[AV108U]

If you are a clean freak....I would go with polished.

 

[viper k]

go with polished they just look better

 

[RTTTTed]

The chrome is more durable. Aluminium is soft and clear coated aluminium is soft. My polished and clear coated rims take one wipe off the brake dust and they're scratched!

Here's the new GTS ACR with old chromed BBS ACR wheels. Although they don't come perfectly clean with just a wipe (no soap) they don't scratch when the brake dust gets wiped off! With EBC Greens it only takes about 50 miles to 'dust' the wheels with black. I'll be installing lightwieght Stop-tech rotors and EBC RED/ceramic pads as soon as I send JonB some money.

You must be registered for see images

Definitely planning on getting my VR1 wheels chromed and the scratched clear coat removed. No comparison for looks or durability. The stock ACR BBS wheels are painted silver. These wheels have even rubbed a curb or two and survived without being ground to junk.

If you look at the polished Gas Cap cover you can see what perfect polished/clear coated aluminium looks like for a comparison. I expect that someone will soon start "Black Chroming" alum wheels and that would be an excellent choice.

Ted

 

[RTTTTed]

You must be registered for see images

Forgeline VR1s Billet polished wheels with powder coat (?) clear.

The silver paint looks almost as nice as the clear coated polished wheels.

Driving down the road usually damages painted wheels because the same rocks and bugs that damage the car's paint also smash into the wheels while they're spinning.

Ted