Those of you with Polished wheels.

jhv48 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-22-2010, 09:46 PM

How long do they stay polished?

How often do you have to polish them in order to retain the shine?

Is chrome a better option?

I'm looking for a wheel that shines but doesn't need repeated polishing to stay that way.

Your thoughts?

Beejay · #2 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 02:36 AM

Billet wheels do need some maintenance to look good, but I think is worth it. Mine seem to go a bit flat after a couple of weeks.

Chrome is easier to look after, but is difficult to fix if you damage them!

FredBMOC · #3 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beejay

Billet wheels do need some maintenance to look good, but I think is worth it. Mine seem to go a bit flat after a couple of weeks.

Chrome is easier to look after, but is difficult to fix if you damage them!

I'll have those two cuties help me polish my wheels anytime!

mdross1 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 04:12 AM

Have always polished all my aluminum the finish is a must for me.Touch mine up every spring takes very little time,use a good paste there are a lot of different brands,some work easier than others.Polish is much better than chrome in my eyes.When chrome starts to rust there is only one solution $$$$$$$$$.

lnfletcher · #5 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 06:21 AM

Go with the polish. The key is the polish you use, and this stuff is fantastic!
http://www.californiacustom.com/ourproducts.html
It takes the work out of it.

ACademic · #6 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 06:33 AM

Horrible of you to ruin a nice picture by including that clean car.

Larry N Johnson · #7 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 10:38 AM

Have polished magnesium wheels.
Have to re-polish every other month in a dry climate.

Went chrome over aluminum on second set of wheels.

Best way to go by far.

Work with any tire, any paint.

scootter · #8 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 12:18 PM

I polish mine once a year or so wether needed or not. I use What-A Shine and Zephers polish. They stay polished for a long time.

Wbulk · #9 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 12:35 PM

ZOOT seal.

Paul F · #10 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 02:18 PM

Bare aluminum or magnesium provides endless hours of enjoyment if you like to polish.
Coatings help.

Chrome over aluminum is the easiest to maintain. But you still have to wipe the dirt off.

I avoid bare magnesium and aluminum like the plague.

henrik · #11 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACademic

Horrible of you to ruin a nice picture by including that clean car.

What car

Silverback51 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wbulk

ZOOT seal.

Close but not a winner.

http://www.zoopseal.com/products.htm

bobcowan · #13 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 04:50 PM

I polish mine once or twice a year. In between polishings, I use a little bit of lemon Pledge. That really helps maintain the shine without a lot of elbow grease.

jhv48 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 06:44 PM

I hate polishing wheels. Had polished wheels on a Mercedes a long time ago and swore never to do it again. Got chrome the next time and aside from occasional cleaning and annual waxing, they looked far better.

Just wondered if the technology had inproved any since then.

Guess I need to find a guy that can chrome mine in the San Diego area. Or someone that will exchange mine for chrome ones (plus some cash of course).

Paul F · #15 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 07:38 PM

Jim,

If you have Halibrand style or a wheel that has deep features similar to the HB, this is not a project for the average chrome shop. My local shop could not do it, but wouldn't tell me and delayed and delayed, trying to figure out how to throw chrome that deep. It needs special fixtures and/or very big power supplies.

You need to go to a shop that specializes in wheels with deep sculpted features. Orange county is loaded with shops that do this. Look them up. Call them with a description of how deep the chrome has to be thrown.

Better yet, find a well-referenced shop on CC.

Larry N Johnson · #16 (**permalink**) 11-23-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul F

Jim,

If you have Halibrand style or a wheel that has deep features similar to the HB, this is not a project for the average chrome shop. My local shop could not do it, but wouldn't tell me and delayed and delayed, trying to figure out how to throw chrome that deep. It needs special fixtures and/or very big power supplies.

You need to go to a shop that specializes in wheels with deep sculpted features. Orange county is loaded with shops that do this. Look them up. Call them with a description of how deep the chrome has to be thrown.

Better yet, find a well-referenced shop on CC.

I got my wheels chromed by Serpent Express.

mdross1 · #17 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010, 06:36 AM

In all the years I have delt with aluminum the best metal polish to date is made by AutoSol.Easy on easy off.Can only speak from experience.

madmaxx · #18 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010, 08:01 AM

I give up, where is the car??????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beejay

Billet wheels do need some maintenance to look good, but I think is worth it. Mine seem to go a bit flat after a couple of weeks.

Chrome is easier to look after, but is difficult to fix if you damage them!

Paul F · #19 (**permalink**) 11-24-2010, 08:30 AM

Look at the babes for 10 minutes. Then, if you can, look to the left of them. If you look carefully, you will notice a car appear.

If that doesn't work, repeat the first step, but increase the babe-looking by 2x.

mdross1 · #20 (**permalink**) 11-25-2010, 04:19 AM

What car! Instinct is too strong! Billett aluminum with right polished finish is easy to take care of,and looks good to me no matter it's state of protection.As far as I am concerned chrome does not hold a candle to polished aluminum especially in the maintainance dept.