Polishing Stock Rims?

ex300SRT8 · 05-31-2008, 12:54 PM

A novice and possibly dumb question. Can the stock wheels be polished or given more luster without going the chrome route? I'm looking at the new center exhaust by breathless, but think the luster of the two could be made a better match. Maybe I'm wrong, just throwing it out there for any input. Thanks in advance.

Smartbillet · 05-31-2008, 01:07 PM

You would have so much time and energy invested in them that it would be hardly worth it. They are cast aluminum, and most times when polished they don't retain a polished look and dull quickly.

burtandnancy · 05-31-2008, 01:20 PM

smartbillet is absolutely correct, if you're going to polish, you need to add something to keep them looking good. As you can see, I chose chrome...

ex300SRT8 · 05-31-2008, 01:50 PM

Both replies are greatly appreciated, thanks. Burtandnancy, I may go that chrome route yet & smartbillet - I really love that piece that accompanies the breathless center exhaust. And I thought I got all of that modification business out of me with my SRT8 . . . . NOT!

Hauser · 05-31-2008, 03:02 PM

One way to keep that polished look is to have the wheels clear coated after the polishing process.

ex300SRT8 · 05-31-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartbillet

You would have so much time and energy invested in them that it would be hardly worth it. They are cast aluminum, and most times when polished they don't retain a polished look and dull quickly.

But would they polish up to resemble some of the stainless products that you offer and could a coating maintain that look? I like the chrome, but on black which is what I own, I sometimes think they look a little too bling. That is not a look I am personally fond of, too much of it out here in Lala land.

artificial · 05-31-2008, 04:58 PM

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Smartbillet · 05-31-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ex300SRT8

But would they polish up to resemble some of the stainless products that you offer and could a coating maintain that look? I like the chrome, but on black which is what I own, I sometimes think they look a little too bling. That is not a look I am personally fond of, too much of it out here in Lala land.

LOL, I don't offer any stainless products, except some installation hardware. All of the items I make are billet aluminum. I agree about chrome wheels as I also own a black Smart. Thats why I went with an machined aluminum wheel.

ex300SRT8 · 05-31-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartbillet

LOL, I don't offer any stainless products, except some installation hardware. All of the items I make are billet aluminum. I agree about chrome wheels as I also own a black Smart. Thats why I went with an machined aluminum wheel.

Oopps, sorry for the mistake

. With my ex, I concerned myself with everything else but the wheels. Everything I had done was to the engine, exhaust, springs, etc., so this is new territory for me.

RLove · 05-31-2008, 07:43 PM

My all black Passion will be getting it's wheels chromed, at least until I can find after market wheels that I like.

I personally don't see them as too much bling...spinners would be way over the top, but a little sparkle on an all black car looks great.

I really don't understand the recent trend of black wheels on an all black car...just looks dead to me. Maybe it's a generational thing. I'll trust my design/graphics background and go with what I think looks good.