Chrome on Aluminum, Polished Aluminum or Polished Aluminum Clear Coated Wheels?

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I see most of you go for Polished Aluminum or Polished Aluminum Clear Coated wheels. I need to be educated on why. I looked at a set of Polished Aluminum Clear Coated today and was not impressed with the appearance. I don't really want to have to polish the Polished Aluminum wheel twice a year. What about Chrome Plated over Aluminum? Do they hold up? I know they cost more, but seem like they would look better with less maintance.

What do you think?

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"WHITE OBSESSION" 99 Quad Cab, White, SLT, 4x4, 5-sp, 3:54's LSD, Raven cap (cab high), Rhino liner, Stainless Nerf Bars, Stainless Rocker Panels, Tow package, Pro-flap mud flaps with Stainless Cummins "C" add to rear flaps, Valentine One, Uniden PC78LTW CB, Hadley Bully Air Horns, Psychotty Air Induction, Braided SS Fuel Lines.

Things to come;
285/75R16 Cooper A/T's, Pyro,Boost and Fuel Pressure gauges, 4" exhaust system(on the way).

NRA Life Member! (Need to protect our rights and FREEDOM!!)

 

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Whichever wheel you decide on,make sure its forged aluminum not cast. Clearcoated aluminum doesnt need to be polished. A good coat of wax every so often is all thats needed.

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2001 HO 6spd,Quad cab,LWB,4x4,Flame Red,all options except for leather,Westin Brushguard/Push bar,Painless wiring,Radio Shack CB( so what it works},my own designed CB mount,Smittybuilt nerf bars,NW Custom rocker covers(more to come)

 

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Weld Racing claims their forged aluminum wheels never need waxing. As good as they look, I elected to go with M/T Alcoa forged aluminum Challengers. I'm still happy with my decision. Both Weld and M/T Alcoa wheels are the best of the best! Anything else is settling for less.

I also looked at the Centerline chrome plated aluminum wheels #ad
#ad
... as chrome is much harder than aluminum, if the wheels get hit with rocks etc. , THEY WILL CHIP. #ad


BTW, most of the Weld styles and both of the M/T Alcoa styles are easy enough to wax. It takes a little effort, but the reward is awesome! #ad


[This message has been edited by John (edited 09-27-2000). ]

 

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The polished alum wheels are the easiest to maintain and can be straightened /repolished if dinged. The others have to be completely refinished/rechromed from a curb ding. I have used American, Alcoa, and BBS for 30 plus years, having many straightened and repolished.

 

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I have two-piece aluminum wheels on my Eclipse GSX and the rim section is clear coated. They looked good for the first couple of years, but then any pitting through the clear coat and you get corrosion on the aluminum surface under the clear coat. This is mostly due to the salting of the roads in winter here in Utah. No way to polish the corrosion off unless you strip off the clear coat (which I haven't done). Would rather they were just polished aluminum so I could polish out the corrosion easily. I think polished aluminum take a little more maintenance but should look good for longer. Never had chromed aluminum wheels but would question their durability. Dissimilar metals can create galvanic reactions which could result in the chrome flaking off.

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Just got my 2001 2500 QC, SB, 4x4, ETH 6-sp, 3. 54 LSD, SLT++ (everything but those lights on top of the roof), White over Silver, Tan leather. Picked it up 8/31/00.