Chrome will start to peel. How long it last depends on the quality. A good wheel, probably 6-7 years. A cheap wheel could start as early as a year. Black chrome doesn't peel... It's not really chrome, just a special paint and clear coat. Down side to BC is the finish will start to dull over time. Also, if you get nicks and scratches or curb rash your wheel will look like a lot worse than a regular wheel would. I would never buy chrome, BC you just have to be really careful with.

 

Juco, how about polished aluminum? I've had them over a year and they still look good, but are there any weakness in them?

 

i've heard a lot of bad stories about the black chrome.
and i'm not too enthused about the chrome as well.
chrome is expensive to repair

 

Depending on region redipping a set of 4 (20")chromes will run from 500-1000.

The only reason chrome degrades over time is becuase of poor maintenance. It is by far the easiest surface to maintain and as long as you upkeep it (Weekly washes, monthly polish or coat of wax, remove them for winters) then they will last long beyond the length most people own their cars.

Keep this in mind, chromes is as easy to clean as glass cleaner and microfiber towel.

Even lesser quality chrome can last long periods of time as long as the elements aren't too harsh. Living by the sea, or in a climate where roads are white all winter long from overkill salt dispersion, will make the upkeep more and require anal attentive wheel care.

When I was chroming motorcycle components I sent every single wheel job to California and the money paid in shipping was worth the end result.

All that said, I'm a color wheel kinda guy these days. Polished or chrome lip with an anodized or powdered main section give me wood.

 

Most issues with chrome peel happen inside the rim under the tire. Most people don't have access to maintenance that area. The biggest problem is when the chrome peels around the bead which causes the tire to leak. You can clean the outside all you want, it won't fix this problem.

 

I have chrome...bad news for someone who's even a little bit lazy and lives in my area. I don't even want to put up pics, it's embarrassing. Thinking of going black on black (not black chrome though)..geesh this reminds me how bad I need to wash my car....

 

Well if I get the black chrome wheels, they may stay on all year round because I may sell the stockers. But I have a Jeep too, so winter driving will probably be mostly in that.

But as you said emay, if I literally clean them every week with Windex or wheel cleaner & a good rag, they will keep for many years?

This is too much of an investment to have it look like crap in 6 months.

 

But as you said emay, if I literally clean them every week with Windex or wheel cleaner & a good rag, they will keep for many years?

This is too much of an investment to have it look like crap in 6 months.

It's the smartest thing you can do to help them last.

Another method to help if you do have to drive in winter/salty conditions, coat the wheels with a thin layer of wd40. It repels everything. Then wash them clean with dish soap (dawn as it is a known degreaser) at one week intervals. This will aid in stopping pitting and enhanced tarnishing. I've cared for several large chrome wheel sets on my SUV's in that manner when I had no stock wheels for winters here.

 

there was another thread about bad black chrome wheels but i think it got deleted

Faulty Black Chrome Wheels--Others Black Chrome Wheels are holding up much better - MustangForums.com

 

Didn't the engineer from Kansas (IIRC) , can't remember his SN for the life of me, with the Blue Novi-powered car that came to Chicago with us have a problem with his Black/Chrom 20" FR500's?

 

Casey?

 

I agree with emay about chrome lasting along time. I have heard good things about it lasting as long as you take good care of it. But isnt that the same for everything?? The better you take care of something the longer it will last obviously. So just take good care of them!!!

My question real quick is are my wheels just powder coated or a black chrome?

 

Schoff, your wheels look painted.



What is the average 1/4 mile difference between 18 and 20" wheels?



I'm really leaning towards the 20"s, and I like there to be some meat showing on the tire-no super low profiles for me (but not as much as is on the stockers )

 

I just read this thread Faulty Black Chrome Wheels--Others Black Chrome Wheels are holding up much better - MustangForums.com

and some other information about BC, and then I went on AM to look around, and I came across the chrome Saleens.


I am blown away. There is a picture of a white S197 with those wheels, and it looks like they were made for each other. 18"


I wish American Muscle sold Nitto Invo's. All they have are 555's and NTO5's.

And sumitomo's....

 

I have Roush chrome 18" rims...

Most people on the Roush forum have had their chrome peel, but I have not (yet).

I am meticulous about keeping them clean; I'll get out the air tools and pull the wheel just to clean them sometimes.

I use Mother's chrome polish or for quick touch-up I use Honda Polish which is a motorcycle spray cleaner that is good for everything (Plexiglass, paint, chrome, etc.). I buy it by the case. It isn't called Honda Polish anymore but it is the same thing (And Kalifornia banned Honda Polish for some reason; probably causes cancer in unborn lab rats, LOL) but I digress...in between polishings I have been using Optimum NO-Rinse car wash on the whole car, rims included.

I of course have no salt or sand in ATL, and the roads are excellent, so that probably helps.

 

I think I am going to stay away from the BC, and I will get 18" chrome Saleens.


Chrome Saleen Wheel 05-11 (18x9) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!


Look like pure sex on that white car in the customer images.

 

you can't go wrong with the saleens, i had them for almost a year and they still looked brand new when i sold the car, that was after driving the car one winter in salty conditions as well, because i sold the stock wheels.