Chrome or Polished Wheels?

[Chopper]

Chrome all the way.Look better.Had polished on my bike (chopper) then had them chromed, look beautiful now.TOM.

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Chrome is for posers and 57 Chevys. Sports cars should be polished.

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by wallbanger

yea i actually curbed a 20 aftermarket chrome rim on a x5.. nasty scratch on the side but after some polish the shine hid the scratch and it was barley noticable.... now the scratches on polished rims stick out like a sore thumb

...which would be why you hsve the scratch on the polished wheel polished out by a professional so it is gone!!

My comments relate only to the maintenance/repair of wheels. Each to his/her own in terms of looks.

[chimazo]

Originally Posted by wallbanger

chroming weakens the wheel?...now that's a new one

I had heard only anecdotal references to this, too, but then I found that NO auto manufacturers offer chromed aluminum rims from the factory (not talking dealer-installed stuff). Ever wonder why? I was also surprised to learn that the TUV (German safety certification body) doesn't allow it. Mopar offers "chrome cladding" on some rims, but it is a plastic facia, not the actual chroming of the rim.

"When Chrome plating a light alloy wheel, the wheel must first be anodized (cooper plated).
The difference in EMF (Electro - Motive Force) values between copper and aluminum results in electrolytic corrosion with aluminum being the sacrificial metal. This WILL result in WEAKING of the base metal as well as poor adhesion of the subsequent plating,and thereby premature flaking of the chrome finish.
Wheels of cast light alloy,with their porus surface, are even more susceptible to this condition than those of Forged light alloy."

[wallbanger]

Sounds good in theory but how many rims have "failed" due to a chroming process

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by chimazo

I had heard only anecdotal references to this, too, but then I found that NO auto manufacturers offer chromed aluminum rims from the factory (not talking dealer-installed stuff). Ever wonder why? I was also surprised to learn that the TUV (German safety certification body) doesn't allow it. Mopar offers "chrome cladding" on some rims, but it is a plastic facia, not the actual chroming of the rim.

"When Chrome plating a light alloy wheel, the wheel must first be anodized (cooper plated).
The difference in EMF (Electro - Motive Force) values between copper and aluminum results in electrolytic corrosion with aluminum being the sacrificial metal. This WILL result in WEAKING of the base metal as well as poor adhesion of the subsequent plating,and thereby premature flaking of the chrome finish.
Wheels of cast light alloy,with their porus surface, are even more susceptible to this condition than those of Forged light alloy."

Ahh, what he said!

Basically, when you start shocking and baking the wheels it can weaken them.

Is it likely to happen on the way to Starbucks? NO. Could it happen in 120F HPDEs as Willow Springs in the Summer? Probably not, but maybe... . So, add repair issues and strength issues, and my first choices are non-clear coated polished or painted alloy wheels. Again, each to his or her own!

[Sellshomesdrivesviper]

Originally Posted by Chuck 98 RT/10

Chrome is for posers and 57 Chevys. Sports cars should be polished.

Polished is for finger nails, chrome here as well.

[dave6666]

Originally Posted by chimazo

I had heard only anecdotal references to this, too, but then I found that NO auto manufacturers offer chromed aluminum rims from the factory (not talking dealer-installed stuff). Ever wonder why? I was also surprised to learn that the TUV (German safety certification body) doesn't allow it. Mopar offers "chrome cladding" on some rims, but it is a plastic facia, not the actual chroming of the rim.

"When Chrome plating a light alloy wheel, the wheel must first be anodized (cooper plated).
The difference in EMF (Electro - Motive Force) values between copper and aluminum results in electrolytic corrosion with aluminum being the sacrificial metal. This WILL result in WEAKING of the base metal as well as poor adhesion of the subsequent plating,and thereby premature flaking of the chrome finish.
Wheels of cast light alloy,with their porus surface, are even more susceptible to this condition than those of Forged light alloy."

I won't argue your theory, as I have over 25 years in engineering in the chemical industry.

But if this electrolytic corrosion reaches a depth of a few mils or so, who cares? I mean, there's a lot more metal there that ain't affected.

Like was posted above, anyone ever heard of a wheel failure lately? ANY wheel failure? Chrome or not?

I'll risk it, because my new wheels I'm close to buying will be CHROME BABY!!!

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by dave6666

anyone ever heard of a wheel failure lately? ANY wheel failure? Chrome or not?

Check the Corvette Forum, Autocrossing/Roadracing Section for wholesale failure of an OEM rim at Willow Springs--center completely ripped out from all spokes about 30 days ago. There was also a street failure about 6 months ago.

[wallbanger]

That is expected with vettes and there is no way i'm checking out a mutual masturbation site like a vette forum

[dave6666]

Originally Posted by wallbanger

That is expected with vettes and there is no way i'm checking out a mutual masturbation site like a vette forum

Do you have a mop? I just knocked my coffee over busting out of this chair!

[FATHERFORD]

Polish...

Mothers power ball with a two thin coats of wax. I only have to polish my wheels every 3-4 months on my daily driver using this method.

[DII]

I had 3 sets of full polished wheels before, and I went chrome for the ease of maintenance.