Chrome Or "Machined To A High Shine" Wheels?

fairhaven · 06-09-2005, 11:01 AM

I am going to put some MB Motoring Rockers on my truck. The chrome version is about $50 per wheel more. Thoughts?

Clancy · 06-09-2005, 11:38 AM

I've read plenty of people crying about polishing their machined wheels over and over and over - If I had to make the choice, I'd go w/Chrome.

QWIKWHIP · 06-09-2005, 12:11 PM

I would go with the machined finish. I'm almost certain that the MB wheels are clear coated. I know my Enkei's are clear coated.

TCW · 06-09-2005, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairhaven

I am going to put some MB Motoring Rockers on my truck. The chrome version is about $50 per wheel more. Thoughts?

I had a set of MB Motoring wheels up until 2 days ago. They were the polished ones and they discolored within the first few months (I found out that they are not clear coated). I just exchanged them yesterday for chrome wheels and I am very happy.

I would definitely pay the extra $50.

I don't know how to link previous posts, but look for my recent post in the tire and wheels section titled "Finally - Good Customer Service" for a better explanation.

BTW, mine was all done through Discount Tire Direct (On-line)...

rjspitz · 06-09-2005, 12:56 PM

Get the chrome. You'll end up spending an extra $50 in wheel polish anyway.

BigBlackTruck · 06-09-2005, 12:56 PM

Go with chrome, its no polish and it will be worth the extra 200 to not have to continuously polish them.

TIsTAN · 06-09-2005, 01:01 PM

you still have to take care of the chrome and polished can be easily repaired if a problem arises with the coating. my choice is polished.

TCW · 06-09-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIsTAN

you still have to take care of the chrome and polished can be easily repaired if a problem arises with the coating. my choice is polished.

This is true if they are clear coated. They ones he is looking at are MB Motoring wheels and I just got rid of my polished MB Motoring wheels because they were not clear coated and they tarnished and discolored horribly within the first few months.

Just don't want someone to have to deal with the same thing I did....

TOK · 06-09-2005, 01:28 PM

I love the bare aluminum look, because chrome always reminds me of steel wheels but I think I have to go with the gang here. The polished look is awesome, but it might be too much work.
I would be a little nervous about even clearcoated wheels yellowing from the heat on the fronts, because it seems our brakes are working hard!

mtbendo · 06-09-2005, 01:50 PM

The only drawback I've had with chrome wheels is having the chrome peel. Granted I've had the rims for 16 years. They started to bubble after 10 years or so. You're pretty much screwed once this happens and the only way to fix it is to have them de-chromed and re-chromed. I've also had bare aluminum and clear coated rims. I don't think I'd ever deal with bare aluminum again. Too much polishing. If your near the coast or have salt on the roads it'll be even worse. I'd pick clearcoat, chrome and then bare in that order.

BigBlackTruck · 06-09-2005, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIsTAN

you still have to take care of the chrome and polished can be easily repaired if a problem arises with the coating. my choice is polished.

Granted, but putting a bit of chrome polish on is no where near as labor intensive as polishing alu.

QWIKWHIP · 06-09-2005, 02:04 PM

I think there is some confusion though, he said they are "machined to a high shine". That is not a polished finish. Machined is more like a brushed finish per say. It should be clear coated and be very easy to maintane. I would just call discount and find out if they are clear coated. TCW, your wheels were a true polished, not machined. A true polished wheel is very high maintenance. That's why yours discolored so quickly.

QWIKWHIP · 06-09-2005, 02:08 PM

Here's a pretty good read about the different finishes.

http://www.rimandwheelworks.com/cosmetic_finishes.htm

KTMNealio · 06-09-2005, 03:14 PM

Aluminum is a very soft metal and it quite porous, so it will ding and stain easy. Without clearcoat you are likely to see stains on the wheels in a year or so unless you keep em spotless. Chrome on the other hand is an extremely hard metal is used to coat surfaces for increased wear resistance.
If the wheels are clear coated, then you would be OK but chrome will last longer and be more durable than raw aluminum or clear coated aluminum.
- Nealio

TIsTAN · 06-09-2005, 04:59 PM

http://www.wheelsbymbmotoring.com/

not sure what MBM means by "mirror machined" and you can't tell from the pic. if it's machined like a lot of OEM wheels then it should be clearcoated. the test is to rub polish on it to see if the towel gets black and if it does not, then it's clearcoated. i do what needs to be done to get my welds looking good. i have used the p21s polishing soap during the wash stage and will be testing out the mother's powerball. chrome is ok as long as the wheel design is not chunky or bulky, then there is too much shine for me. brake dust will probably affect non-clearcoated wheel finishes just the same.

if you do have bare aluminum, try zoopseal or luster seal (maybe even the brand wheelwax) before mounting. suppose to take the grunt work out for a couple of years.