Wheels

[James00GT]

Ive been looking into getting some new wheels for my 00 GT and i was wondering what is the diff. between polished and chrome wheels?? Also who here has polised wheels.... n e complaints???

 

[twogts4us]

I'm buying polished Boyd Coddingtons - simply because thats the only way they come. But polished is easier to fix than chrome, if, God forbid, you catch a curb. I'd prefer polished over chrome anyday. Just about the same shine.
Welcome to StangNet!!!

 

[01GT eibach]

"Polished" gets its shine by polishing the alloy rim, while chrome has a layer of shiny metal electroplated on top of the rim. The chrome is definitely brighter and flashier. If the rim gets scratched, as mentioned above, it can easily rip right thru the chrome plating down to the base rim. So, from purely a "driver friendly" point of view, the polished rims are the better bet. From a pure aesthetics view, opinions are mixed ... some peole love chrome wheels, and some think they can be "a little much". Personally, I prefer the slightly more subdued look of polished over chrome but that is only a slight opinion -- there are lots of guys here who have chrome rims with very hot looking cars.

Just my $0.02...

 

[Ryan02Stang]

"Polished" gets its shine by polishing the alloy rim, while chrome has a layer of shiny metal electroplated on top of the rim. The chrome is definitely brighter and flashier. If the rim gets scratched, as mentioned above, it can easily rip right thru the chrome plating down to the base rim. So, from purely a "driver friendly" point of view, the polished rims are the better bet. From a pure aesthetics view, opinions are mixed ... some peole love chrome wheels, and some think they can be "a little much". Personally, I prefer the slightly more subdued look of polished over chrome but that is only a slight opinion -- there are lots of guys here who have chrome rims with very hot looking cars.

Just my $0.02...

He said it perfect! I also prefer a very high polished rim to a chrome wheel. Now if I had a Navigator...there would def be some chrome 26's on that bad boy!

 

[TNstanggurl]

Dont get polished. They are a bitch to keep shiney. You have to polish them like every 2 weeks. Get chrome just dont hit any curbs and you'll be ok.

 

[Bornstanger]

sorry for being an ass or idiot or combination of both, but i don't get why people always bitch about the upkeep of polished wheels. right now i have my factory 98 GT polished wheels and all i do is wash them off with the same soap i use to clean my car and they shine like no tommorrow. maybe i have a special breed of polished wheels or something?

 

[mrcorpse]

Polished will also be lighter...since that Chrome layer will add a few pounds to any rim.

 

[Cobra Jay]

Dont get polished. They are a bitch to keep shiney. You have to polish them like every 2 weeks. Get chrome just dont hit any curbs and you'll be ok.

You still have to take care of chrome rims too, otherwise they get pitted and rust. Bitching about having to take care of your rims is like people who bitch about gas mileage and then go and put a S/C and more mods on their car.

 

[millhouse]

Dont get polished. They are a bitch to keep shiney. You have to polish them like every 2 weeks. Get chrome just dont hit any curbs and you'll be ok.

Unless the wheels came without a clear-coat...you should not be re-polishing them, as you will wear throgh the clear coat and into the aluminum itself. After to much polishing, it's very easy to take enough aluminum off of the wheel to make it unsafe.

I personally think chrome is to flashy, to expensive and to heavy for my tastes. Many people cant even tell the difference between a highly polished aluminum wheel, and a chromed one.

Heres a polished wheel

And another one

 

[Srpera]

I would never buy polished wheels unless the car is kept garaged and out of the elements. I live in the northeast and the elements do a number on the polished wheel, no matter how often you wash them. Chrome is easier to maintain, just wash with soapy water frequently. A clear coated polished wheel would be a good idea, depending on the durability of the clear coat. Go with the chrome.

 

[twogts4us]

This is a good debate - there are pros and cons on both sides. Chrome can be very durable if taken care of, but can quickly look like crap if it is neglected or damaged. Polished rims can be repaired. Both need regular cleaning. I clean my OEM rims once a week and it's easy...it's when you don't do it for a while that it becomes a PITA.
For me, I still vote for polished...a bit less bling. Boyd Coddington's for me!!!

 

[Defleshed]

less bling can be a good thing sometimes. I'd go for the polished, just because I looove that look. The chrome is too "LOOK AT ME"