KYLE87

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IROC-You

Chrome definatley will take less maintenance. Most polished aluminum rims have a clear coat on them that will start to degrade and flake over time. Chrome on the other hand will be good for years and years with minimal maintenance.

RED_DRAGON_85

i like the look of aluminium better than chrome
chrome is much easier to keep clean and will look better longer.
its your choice.
typically, if there is no chrome trim anywhere on a car, chrome wheels look out of place, and aluminum is a better option.

1fastrock

The polished aluminum's clear finish can flake off but at the same time the metal under the chrome finish can begin to oxidize causing the chrome to chip off. Ive seen it on a lot of after market wheels but not these in particular. Either way if you take care of the wheels they will take care of you.

osso12

I have had three sets of TT's polished 505 aluminums. They are the best bet if you keep them polished they look darn near chrome especially from a distance. The polished aluminum wont flake either as there is no clear coat over them.
If you will look at the chrome wheel piece, you will notice the rim is actually a little different than the polished aluminum two piece. I am trying to decide if I want to go with TT's on my vert. See thread https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/sign...r-request.html post #16 as im still trying to decide what to do.

Lonnie P

Be aware that the chrome on most average cost wheels is junk. It will degrade quickly & start to dull or pit in a year or 2. I would seek opinions from someone than owns the exact wheel you want, to see how they hold up, or look at a few vehicles that have them.

I had some bad luck with chrome wheels. I bought chrome to prevent the constant maintenance of aluminum on my daily driver (summer only). In less than a year, the chrome was getting grey/discolored in the corners of the wheel. I waxed them every other week (with a non-abrasive wax), so there was no excuse for the chrome to go bad. Returned them to American Racing under warranty & got another set. The replacements are pretty poor as well... definitely not worth $200 ea.

I am now in the market for a better set myself & unsure what to go with. To think I have to spend $3k to get a wheel that is not junk, discourages me, or to buy a bare aluminum set, that I have to spend an hour a week waxing does not enthuse me either.

From experience clear coated aluminum wheels are maintenance free for about 6-8years & then typically start to corrode/flake. This generally happens at the edges where the aluminum is exposed & will start to creep under the clear coat. Never let a tire place pu weights on the outside edge of these wheels, or you will speed up this process.
They never seem to have quite the luster as a bare wheel, but is a good compromise of looks vs. maintenance.

Bare aluminum is beautiful in my opinion, but it takes some care to keep it looking this way. I would never run a bare aluminum wheel on a vehicle used in the winter (as salt quickly pits the surface), or on a daily driver, unless you have the time to polish them every 1-2 weeks. On a show car, or weekend (nice weather) cruiser, they are awesome.

osso12

Hey guys... Check this out...
These are NEW STYLE AR ONE PIECE WHEELS unlike the 505's...
These are American Racing 515...
they are LESS expensive then the 505's as well.
Check em out.

I sent a pm to get a price on some 17x9.5 with custom bs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...T#ht_500wt_975

texascat2

I have the same wheels you are talking about. Get the chrome! I have been polishing those aluminum wheels for 9 years and I'm tired of it!

Wadebryant

Like all things good in life, chrome and polished aluminum wheels require a high level of dedication to maintenance. If you lack the desire to wash and polish either, sooner or later you'll be disapointed with either one. Both have their advantanges and disadvantages. Choose what you like and keep them clean.

Good luck

texascat2

I've been looking at the chrome TT's. Received new polish to try from Gordsaluminumpolish.com Will post results when I finish the job! Sorry no words of wisdom come to mind about polishing wheels.

BlkRS92

It doesnt matter wether its aluminum or chrome... Your always going to have to polish them to look good..

BlkRS92

And nothing Polishes like Mothers.... Best on the market by far..

texascat2

Tried Mothers, not that great. Their wax is good though.

BlkRS92

Thats what we always used on the welds I had on the Mustang after a day at the track. Seemed to get anything clean.

texascat2

Wether?

BlkRS92

Yes I missed an H.. Its whether...

texascat2

Just havin' fun!

BlkRS92

Hey no worries here... I seen it after the fact as well and started to say something to fix it.