Hey all, i'm kinda at a tough decision....i want to get a set of C5 thin 5 spoke rims....now i like the chrome very much, and there are some cheap replicas out there, and there are also the OEM chrome (used or new) out there as well. I know OEM quality will be the best... but my options are:
1. Replica Chrome rims (which might flake, especially if i accidentally hit a curb)
2. OEM Chrome rims (which might flake as well, especially if they are used)
and
3. Buying The Aluminum (Silver wheels) and having them polished.

Now i can get a cheap set of the aluminum....but i've heard polishing is hard to maintain and it won't look as good as chrome. Now i'm not saying i drive my car rough but, if i do hit a curb with the chrome and it needs repairing, I either have to get a new wheel or refinish it, right? it won't just buff out. But if i scrape the polished one i can get that buffed out at the shop down the street, hey accidents happen, especially when I'm trying to park as close to the curb as possible so the car next to u won't smack ur car.

Do polished wheels look great? as noticeable as chrome? Would chrome OEM wheel flake if i hit a curb, how would i repair that?

I do drive my car in the rain, i take very good care of it and wash it all the time. But i've heard polished wheels are very hard to maintain, and they scratch very easy.

thanks any help would be greatly appreciated.

Perry V.

 

What you heard is correct. Polished wheels, if not cared for properly will look bad in no time. As for the chrome flaking, yeah that will happen, but its not like a polished or painted wheel would be totally unaffected by hitting a curb either. If chrome starts flaking, you have to get it rechromed, which off the top of my head I couldnt tell you how much that runs. I would just get chrome if I were you.

 

Well, hmm, i wish i had best of both worlds......i have no problem taking care of the polished rim.......and the only thing i like about the polished rim over the chrome is that if it does get scratched or anything that i can buff it out. NOw if i maintain the polished wheel will it look as good as chrome? or will it deteriorate over time?

thanks for the help

PV

 

Polished will never look as good as chrome. If you can devote the time to take care of them, then go for it. As for deterioration, I couldnt tell you, because I dont have experiences with polished. Im sure someone else could tell you.

 

It depends on who makes them. The Centerline Saber 17x9.5 I had in my 93Z still shine like mirror 8 years later when I replaced them with polished 18x10 Boyd Coddingtons. The chrome wheels from my wife's car started to flake in 2 years, and cost $600 for a re-chrome. I will never buy chrome wheels again.

 

Hmm, that's exactly what i'm afraid of, is 2 years down the road they start flaking......i was looking at some of the cheaper chrome's offered on ebay.....

does anyone have a really good pic on a really good polish job?

i called my place down the street and they said that it depends hwo shiney i want it.....the said i could spend like $800 on polishing or like $200 on it..

would OEM rims flake? even if i scrape a curb a bit?

thanks

PV

 

sorry about the sig

PV

 

whats up man, check out pics in my sig. i have polished wheels that are clear coated. i think they look awesome. lata

 

i got polished on mine... and well, upclose i think polish looks like ****.. but from a distance w/ a nice clean they look just as good as chrome... mine have a lot of lil scratches though. (haven't had time to get them out) maybe after i get them out they will look better?

 

Polished is the most durable only if it is clearcoated, just like WS6 wheels. You won't have any problems with clearcoated polished rims. Chrome can pit in the winter and sometimes flake if they're not high quality, but they do look a lot better.