I have wanted to put a new set of 17" wheels on my JK, and would like to go with something other than black, but have heard some horror stories on pitting and dulling of this type of wheel with our weather condition during the winter months. I live in Utah, and we have a considerable amount of snow and road salt. Anyone out there have a recommendation as to what wheels to consider?

 

My wifes car has (had) chrome wheels (chrome plating), and while they are great for keeping clean and shiny (easy to wash, polish etc) after about 5 years, corrosion started to infiltrate the tire bead area so there was a constant battle with tire pressure - but I suspect you don't want chrome on a Jeep anyways....

My previous vehicle, I changed out to some polished aluminum wheels - shiny like chrome - and they were great....for 1 year. As soon as the first bit of salt from the roads touched them when we got an early snow one year....they were done - started to pit, dull etc. I removed them for winter, but had to wait WELL into spring to put them back on, and pull them off before any snow fell to avoid hurting the finish. Unless you LOVE spending a LOT of time cleaning/polishing, I would avoid polished alloy wheels. Now...if you don't mind spending some bucks...one of the GOOD things about polished alloy is that you CAN polish them up again even if they do take some abuse. Around here, the wheel shops charge upwards of $100 per wheel...but they come out looking like new chrome again. But, as long as you KEEP them clean...ie clean them OFTEN, and use a good wheel polish/sealer, it helps prevent the damage to begin with. (Oh yeah...do NOT use the chemical wheel cleaner at the car wash on them....instant dulling!!). I just don't care to invest time in wheels...I've got better things to do.

I am putting "tough finish" highest on my priority list for my next set of wheels, regardless of what they are....cleaning wheels has to be my least favorite part of looking after a vehicle.


G

 

I have a set of chrome wheels i want to sell to buy black rims. pm me if you want them

 

Saw a lifted rubicon yesterday with big chrome bling wheels on it. I don't get it for an off road vehicles

 

You like these? I'd sell for the right price.

 

I do not want some blinged out JK, it's just that I like some differential color betweeen the tire and the rim of the wheel. I most likely will go with a ProCompt or Black Rock.

 

I had the Mickey Thompson Classic II's on my old suburban. I had specifically told the sales guy I didn't even want a low maintenance wheel, I wanted a NO maintenance wheel. I don't want to spend my weekend polishing and cleaning wheels. Anyway, after about two years they looked horrible. That is why my Jeep rolls on black steelies. Maybe someday black powder coated aluminum. but never chrome.

Now, this is no way a dig on the MT's. When clean, they looked great. It was my unwillingness to clean them that led to their demise.

 

Im kinda torn on which way I will go when I am ready to upgrade my wheels too. I live in Michigan and want something I can run year round and not worry about the salt. Not quite sold on the all black, but im starting to like the black/silver combination wheels, seems to be alot of those out there

Let us know what you end up with largo

 

This is what I went with (ProComp 6089 - Chrome not polished). I believe they have a 3 year warranty.

 

ha ha! nah sayers are wrong.

I've had 17" chrome dipped Ultra brand rims on my jk for over 3 years. Even with the rock rash they look great.

If you buy cheaply chromed rims they look horrible and you have to polish them constantly.

Mine need no polish just a regular wash keeps them shining, the rock rash is even chrome underneath. I'm love when people say "that things too pretty to be out here". or When its covered in mud and just a small spot of chrome is showing.

Besides, why look like all the other blacked out JK's, show some style