CAP
Enthusiast
Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
...the wheels, that is. What is the benefit, if any, of the polished aluminum, clearcoated?
...the wheels, that is. What is the benefit, if any, of the polished aluminum, clearcoated?
Why didn't they just chrome them....?
- Thread starter CAP
- Start date
SapphireGTS
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
Chroming weakens the metal.
Thats all I can think of.
Chroming weakens the metal.
Thats all I can think of.
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
I've also seen a lot of chromed wheels develop leaks from deteriorating chrome chipping/peeling away from the bead area.
I've also seen a lot of chromed wheels develop leaks from deteriorating chrome chipping/peeling away from the bead area.
onerareviper
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
Chromed wheels are great on a show car, but they make horrible wheels for a daily/regular driver (IMHO). Every pair I owned begin to chip, flake, or pit after time. They are just not durable. And God forbid you curb them...... I think the stock wheels have 95% the shine of chrome, with great durability. Good trade-off in my opinion.
Chromed wheels are great on a show car, but they make horrible wheels for a daily/regular driver (IMHO). Every pair I owned begin to chip, flake, or pit after time. They are just not durable. And God forbid you curb them...... I think the stock wheels have 95% the shine of chrome, with great durability. Good trade-off in my opinion.
KenH
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
They're always covered with brake dust anyway
-- Ken
They're always covered with brake dust anyway
-- Ken
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
I'm glad they didn't. I always thought chrome wheels looked like crap.
I'm glad they didn't. I always thought chrome wheels looked like crap.
BlackACR
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
Are HRE's chrome plated, and they are aluminium right?????
Are HRE's chrome plated, and they are aluminium right?????
CAP
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
I have also seen quite a few 3 spoke ('95 and earlier) stock wheels chromed. They look pretty good. Corvette C5s do it all day long on a core trade-in basis. Some high end, multi-layer plating outfits do a great job. I just thought chroming might be more durable than the clearcoat. ?
I have also seen quite a few 3 spoke ('95 and earlier) stock wheels chromed. They look pretty good. Corvette C5s do it all day long on a core trade-in basis. Some high end, multi-layer plating outfits do a great job. I just thought chroming might be more durable than the clearcoat. ?
BlackACR
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
I want get a set of ACR wheels chromed, this makes me wonder. I have had a few set of wheels plated by Victoria Wheel in California, no problems. What have you guys with plated wheels think.
I want get a set of ACR wheels chromed, this makes me wonder. I have had a few set of wheels plated by Victoria Wheel in California, no problems. What have you guys with plated wheels think.
Anthony - 98 GTS
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
I have a set of HRE's in full chrome finish. They are very new so I can't comment on how they will hold up over time; however they look much better than the polish finish IMHO.
I have had several sets of chrome wheels over the years and I have never had any problems.
I have a set of HRE's in full chrome finish. They are very new so I can't comment on how they will hold up over time; however they look much better than the polish finish IMHO.
I have had several sets of chrome wheels over the years and I have never had any problems.
Performin Norman
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
If they chromed the wheels, the car would have cost us $3000 more. bwa haha
If they chromed the wheels, the car would have cost us $3000 more. bwa haha
BlackACR
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
Thats what I like to hear...
Thats what I like to hear...
viperdoctor
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
Polished wheels aren't exactly maintenance free...My car is only 6 months old and it already has the white hazing inside the large spokes.
If chrome goes bad, you re-chrome. If the polished goes bad, you re-polish. Probably at the same cost per wheel...
Polished wheels aren't exactly maintenance free...My car is only 6 months old and it already has the white hazing inside the large spokes.
If chrome goes bad, you re-chrome. If the polished goes bad, you re-polish. Probably at the same cost per wheel...
racewheel
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by viperdoctor:
If chrome goes bad, you re-chrome. If the polished goes bad, you re-polish. Probably at the same cost per wheel...
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
not exactly, when chrome goes bad (peels, chips, bubbles,ect) it's cheaper to replace the wheel. i think the fact that the longest warranty i've seen on chrome plating of aluminum wheels is one year speaks worlds as to the anticipated (and experienced) durablity of the plating.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by viperdoctor:
If chrome goes bad, you re-chrome. If the polished goes bad, you re-polish. Probably at the same cost per wheel...
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
not exactly, when chrome goes bad (peels, chips, bubbles,ect) it's cheaper to replace the wheel. i think the fact that the longest warranty i've seen on chrome plating of aluminum wheels is one year speaks worlds as to the anticipated (and experienced) durablity of the plating.
viperdoctor
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
racewheel: Try http://www.calchrome.com I have bought from them before with extremely reasonable prices, fast, great service and a 2 year warranty. They re-chrome wheels no problem.
racewheel: Try http://www.calchrome.com I have bought from them before with extremely reasonable prices, fast, great service and a 2 year warranty. They re-chrome wheels no problem.
racewheel
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
i stand corrected, the warranty/precaution section is interesting reading though. but unless you happen to live in southern california rechroming is still not a practical option (unless you have a spare set of wheels, or want to leave the car on stands for a few weeks)
i stand corrected, the warranty/precaution section is interesting reading though. but unless you happen to live in southern california rechroming is still not a practical option (unless you have a spare set of wheels, or want to leave the car on stands for a few weeks)
viperdoctor
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
I wouldn't say that the warranty reading for the chrome wheels reads any differently from polished or painted wheels. Brake dust and road salt are killers for any kind of nicely finished wheel...As is improper handling...So I didn't read anything "interesting."
Also I live in Houston, but I didn't spend more than 30 minutes without wheels (mounting time at NTB). All you have to do is an exchange with the Southern California joints. And if you need to get wheels polished, you are in the exact same situation anyway (either do an exchange or wait while your wheels are polished/chromed). Every major city has local chroming places as well.
I wouldn't say that the warranty reading for the chrome wheels reads any differently from polished or painted wheels. Brake dust and road salt are killers for any kind of nicely finished wheel...As is improper handling...So I didn't read anything "interesting."
Also I live in Houston, but I didn't spend more than 30 minutes without wheels (mounting time at NTB). All you have to do is an exchange with the Southern California joints. And if you need to get wheels polished, you are in the exact same situation anyway (either do an exchange or wait while your wheels are polished/chromed). Every major city has local chroming places as well.
onerareviper
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
If chrome goes bad, you re-chrome. If the polished goes bad, you re-polish. Probably at the same cost per wheel...
Maybe I'm missing something? I can buy polish for 5 bucks and re-polish my Purner wheels. If chrome starts looking bad, you must re-chrome (For Viper wheels I bet $250+ per wheel, but not sure).
If chrome goes bad, you re-chrome. If the polished goes bad, you re-polish. Probably at the same cost per wheel...
Maybe I'm missing something? I can buy polish for 5 bucks and re-polish my Purner wheels. If chrome starts looking bad, you must re-chrome (For Viper wheels I bet $250+ per wheel, but not sure).
viperdrummer
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
I have had several different sets of Viper wheels over the years including polished, highly polished and chrome. Anyone who thinks poilsh and chrome look similar should look into Lasik correction.Whether you like chrome or not is a personal decision. I think chrome looks great on a dark Viper-- I had chrome Kinesis on my greenie, and it looks awesome on black-- see the recent post with the HREs 540s. But, there is a big difference. Many dealers don't know the difference and often advertise Vipers with "chrome" wheels which are really factory polished wheels.
I have had several different sets of Viper wheels over the years including polished, highly polished and chrome. Anyone who thinks poilsh and chrome look similar should look into Lasik correction.Whether you like chrome or not is a personal decision. I think chrome looks great on a dark Viper-- I had chrome Kinesis on my greenie, and it looks awesome on black-- see the recent post with the HREs 540s. But, there is a big difference. Many dealers don't know the difference and often advertise Vipers with "chrome" wheels which are really factory polished wheels.
viperdoctor
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
onerareviper: Maybe what you are missing is a clearcoat on those Purners. You wouldn't want to use a metal polish on the painted surfaces of the stock wheels. To refinish the stock wheels, the clearcoat has to be removed then repolish and paint.
I hear that the wheel shops consider the stock Viper wheels to have a mirror finish that costs more to duplicate than your average polished wheel...Could just be another way to price gouge Viper owners...
onerareviper: Maybe what you are missing is a clearcoat on those Purners. You wouldn't want to use a metal polish on the painted surfaces of the stock wheels. To refinish the stock wheels, the clearcoat has to be removed then repolish and paint.
I hear that the wheel shops consider the stock Viper wheels to have a mirror finish that costs more to duplicate than your average polished wheel...Could just be another way to price gouge Viper owners...
CAP
Enthusiast
Re: Why didn\'t they just chrome them....?
Quote:
"Maybe I'm missing something? I can buy polish for 5 bucks and re-polish my Purner wheels. If chrome starts looking bad, you must re-chrome."
The problem, as I see it, is with the clearcoat on the factory wheels. You do not want to use aluminum polish on it. My question is: Is the clearcoat more durable than chrome? If the clearcoat goes bad, is it better to strip it and just start polishing the aluminum, or get the wheels chromed? (Any other alternatives?)
Quote:
"Maybe I'm missing something? I can buy polish for 5 bucks and re-polish my Purner wheels. If chrome starts looking bad, you must re-chrome."
The problem, as I see it, is with the clearcoat on the factory wheels. You do not want to use aluminum polish on it. My question is: Is the clearcoat more durable than chrome? If the clearcoat goes bad, is it better to strip it and just start polishing the aluminum, or get the wheels chromed? (Any other alternatives?)
