Almost everyday I'm asked about wheel finishes. Questions like..."What is the difference between chrome and polished wheels?" Or..."Which finish is the easiest to maintain?" Understanding the difference between finish types is very important when choosing a wheel for your car. So let's examine each of these finishes for the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Chrome Wheels - Wheels that have been chrome plated are very popular today. There are two types of chrome plated wheels. Chrome plated steel wheels are for all practical purposes a thing of the past. Because they are made of steel their finish isn't very durable. Chrome plated steel wheels will rust, and there is no amount of maintenance that will prevent it. Fortunately, nearly all chrome wheels today are made of aluminum, and will not rust. Chrome plating has a brilliant mirror finish and can be very durable. Chrome plated finishes are suitable for all environments, and properly taken care of can last as long as you own your vehicle. It’s best to clean them with a soft brush, and mild soap and water. Rinse thoroughly. After cleaning your wheels do not allow soap or water to sit on the surface and produce water spots—dry your wheels with a soft, non-abrasive towel. It is important to keep wheels clean, not allowing road film, contaminants and brake dust (which retains moisture) to accumulate and sit on the surface. If you live in a harsh winter climate where salt and chemicals are used during the winter, regular cleaning is even more important. Periodically, polish chrome wheels with a quality chrome polish.
Polished Wheels - Polished wheels are made of aluminum and are fully polished to a bright shine. There are two types of polished aluminum wheels. The first type is cast aluminum wheels. Cast aluminum polished wheels do not have a brilliant mirror like finish as chrome wheels, but do have a nice shine. Unfortunately, polished wheels do not have any protective coating on them to protect them. This means they are not suitable for all climates. Salt and other chemicals will irreparably damage the finish of polished wheels. They require the most care in order to maintain their finish. Wash only with mild soap and water. Do not use wheel cleaners unless they specifically state they are safe for polished wheels. Regular polishing with an aluminum polish is also required. Because there is no protective coating polished wheels do not have a warranty to cover their finish like other finishes. The other type of polished wheels is billet aluminum. Billet wheels are denser than cast aluminum wheels which gives them a mirror like finish very similar to chrome wheels. Maintenance is the same for both polished cast aluminum and polished billet aluminum wheels.
Painted Wheels - Painted wheels are also very durable because the paint protects the wheels. Painted wheels should require only soap or a quality wheel cleaner product, water and a soft brush. Once you have cleaned your painted wheels, a coat of hand-applied wax or a quality, non-carnauba, non-abrasive polymer sealant-quality wax will enhance resistance to brake dust and contaminants. A few minutes of preventative waxing can last months (depending on your climate).
Clear-Coated Wheels - Clear-coated wheels are permanently coated with a clear protective coating, essentially a non-pigmented, clear paint. The clear coating that is used is the same material that is used for the original equipment wheels manufactured for leading automobile manufacturers. This clear coating is applied to machined finish wheels. The gives a clean aluminum look without the brilliant shine. As with painted wheels, once you have cleaned your clear-coated wheels, a coat of hand-applied wax or a quality, non-carnauba, non-abrasive polymer sealant-quality wax will enhance resistance to brake dust and contaminants. A few minutes of preventative waxing can last months (depending on your climate).
A good understanding of the durability of wheel finishes along with the type of use and climate will help you determine which finish is best for you. If your car is going to be a daily driver, then the finish and maintenance will be a critical deciding factor. If your car is a show car and not exposed to the elements then finish will be more a matter of looks then durability and maintenance.
Chrome Wheels - Wheels that have been chrome plated are very popular today. There are two types of chrome plated wheels. Chrome plated steel wheels are for all practical purposes a thing of the past. Because they are made of steel their finish isn't very durable. Chrome plated steel wheels will rust, and there is no amount of maintenance that will prevent it. Fortunately, nearly all chrome wheels today are made of aluminum, and will not rust. Chrome plating has a brilliant mirror finish and can be very durable. Chrome plated finishes are suitable for all environments, and properly taken care of can last as long as you own your vehicle. It’s best to clean them with a soft brush, and mild soap and water. Rinse thoroughly. After cleaning your wheels do not allow soap or water to sit on the surface and produce water spots—dry your wheels with a soft, non-abrasive towel. It is important to keep wheels clean, not allowing road film, contaminants and brake dust (which retains moisture) to accumulate and sit on the surface. If you live in a harsh winter climate where salt and chemicals are used during the winter, regular cleaning is even more important. Periodically, polish chrome wheels with a quality chrome polish.
Polished Wheels - Polished wheels are made of aluminum and are fully polished to a bright shine. There are two types of polished aluminum wheels. The first type is cast aluminum wheels. Cast aluminum polished wheels do not have a brilliant mirror like finish as chrome wheels, but do have a nice shine. Unfortunately, polished wheels do not have any protective coating on them to protect them. This means they are not suitable for all climates. Salt and other chemicals will irreparably damage the finish of polished wheels. They require the most care in order to maintain their finish. Wash only with mild soap and water. Do not use wheel cleaners unless they specifically state they are safe for polished wheels. Regular polishing with an aluminum polish is also required. Because there is no protective coating polished wheels do not have a warranty to cover their finish like other finishes. The other type of polished wheels is billet aluminum. Billet wheels are denser than cast aluminum wheels which gives them a mirror like finish very similar to chrome wheels. Maintenance is the same for both polished cast aluminum and polished billet aluminum wheels.
Painted Wheels - Painted wheels are also very durable because the paint protects the wheels. Painted wheels should require only soap or a quality wheel cleaner product, water and a soft brush. Once you have cleaned your painted wheels, a coat of hand-applied wax or a quality, non-carnauba, non-abrasive polymer sealant-quality wax will enhance resistance to brake dust and contaminants. A few minutes of preventative waxing can last months (depending on your climate).
Clear-Coated Wheels - Clear-coated wheels are permanently coated with a clear protective coating, essentially a non-pigmented, clear paint. The clear coating that is used is the same material that is used for the original equipment wheels manufactured for leading automobile manufacturers. This clear coating is applied to machined finish wheels. The gives a clean aluminum look without the brilliant shine. As with painted wheels, once you have cleaned your clear-coated wheels, a coat of hand-applied wax or a quality, non-carnauba, non-abrasive polymer sealant-quality wax will enhance resistance to brake dust and contaminants. A few minutes of preventative waxing can last months (depending on your climate).
A good understanding of the durability of wheel finishes along with the type of use and climate will help you determine which finish is best for you. If your car is going to be a daily driver, then the finish and maintenance will be a critical deciding factor. If your car is a show car and not exposed to the elements then finish will be more a matter of looks then durability and maintenance.
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