Those of you that are upgrading your wheels, (and not going black) are you going with a polished wheel or a chrome one? My understanding is chrome is easier to keep clean and looking nice, but degrade (pit,etc.) after some time. On the other hand polished wheels can be repaired or resanded and polished when you scrape them on a rock or curb. They are harder to keep up the shine though.

Anyone have a preference or any input?:confused:

 

Polished--but that is too short so I have to say more

 

You seemed to have covered most of the advantages and disadvantages of both. My 69 Charger has Polished Centerlines, and they take a little work to keep polished. On the other hand, my old 84 Chevy had Chrome wheels. They never pitted after 10 years, because I kept them fairly clean after off-road trips.

I think it will ultimately depend on how you wheel, and what kind of look you are seeking. If you spend much of your time on-road, and like the attention, Polished would be the way to go. If you want more durability, ease of care/maintenance, and spend much time off road, I think Chrome would be the more logical choice.

I'm still undecided on my wheels, (waiting for more options). Those Walker Evans wheels are sharp, and I like the beadlock rings, but the cost is nothing short of outrageous. Then there was MT Street Locks, but nothing even close to fitting a JK at this time, you'd need spacers, and with the available backspacing on their current selection, the wheels are simply going to stick out too darn far.
Tom
Bryson City, NC

 

Ok, it looks like I am going to need to explain my love of polished alloys before I get stereotyped as a pretty boy pavement pounder.

Chrome wheels are steel. Steel equals rust unless you take very good care of them and don't live near the coast or anywhere where it snows more than 4" a season.

Alloys mean no rust and they still look decent even if you are like me and don't sit down and rub them every time you go wheeling. A little squirt of water along with the rest of the Jeep and they are good to go. Plus, they don't weigh much.

 

But I've seen some NASTY looking alloy wheels, corroded beyond repair. Not that I'm against alloy wheels, I'm planning to go that route. Just not willing to spend the time to keep 5 polished wheels shiny, that's all.

Tom
Bryson City, NC

 

My Canyon Alloy's on my 2001 after just 3 winter's were toast. Corroded and Pitted right underneath the clearcoat. An I am pretty meticulous with my vehicles....

 

There are many chrome plated aluminum wheels. chrome plating flakes off sooner or later often around the bead causing air leaks.

Polished aluminum wheels are extremely hard to keep 100 %..... expect them to never look as good as new again, even with decent upkeep they will dull a lil bit. If not taken care of they will corrode usually around the bead area causing air leaks.

Painted or Clear coated Aluminum wheels are the go to wheel for light weight, low maint, and longevity. yes the clear coat will come off someday.... but they'll be good for a long time. If completly neglected they will oxidize and corrode usually around the bead area causing air leaks.

Steel wheels usually with a chrome or black finish are heavy.... lots of unsprung rotating weight (think MPG.) They are durable, and easy to take care of.... just don't let em stay so dirty for so long that rust starts. If you bend one they can be bent back easily, aluminum can't (not easily.) If completly neglected for EXTENSIVE periods of time they will rust, usually around the bead area causing air leaks. It should be said that steel wool and wd 40 will remove this rust from the face of the wheel and any good tire shop has a wire wheel "wheel buffer" to clean the bead area of corrosion.

To ruin a wheel quickest leave fix-a-flat in for long periods.

 

chrome plated aluminum wheels weigh more then non coated wheels, you would be suprised by how much

powder coated wheels are a good option in steel or alum. (they have clear coated polished rims from most mfg's)

if you live in salt belt or salty coast area you need to maintain them no matter what, but a coated rim is prefered