[PAS22]

Since GM has indicated an availability problem with chrome rims until Sept. does anyone who has been to the shows know if the stock rims are polished aluminum (or aluminium if you prefer) or painted????

 

[jimmyo]

Since GM has indicated an availability problem with chrome rims until Sept. does anyone who has been to the shows know if the stock rims are polished aluminum (or aluminium if you prefer) or painted????

The wheels on the show car at Kansas City were polished and they looked very nice!

 

[PAS22]

Great, I can live with polished aluminum. Thanks Jimmyo!

 

[mceb]

Aluminium could be an upgrade but I'll take it if it is.

 

[PAS22]

So your thinking painted rims are stock?

 

[achieftain]

So your thinking painted rims are stock?

My guess is standard wheels are aluminum, but not polished or chromed. Just coated, whether painted or not. This type wheel is subject to flaking and degradation when exposed to 1. salt-laden air in north in winter, or coast in summer 2. high pressure car wash.

Even the polished rims have to be topcoated to protect the finish, but the polishing improves the ability of the clear topcoat to adhere much better. Here in the north chrome over aluminum seems to hold up better.

 

[Audio Imagez]

Are you sure about that? I thought that road salt stains and eats up chrome. I've never had problem with aluminum rims.

 

[mceb]

The first tentative option list we had posted here in late 2004 had 2 or 3 wheel choices I thought (became brentil's website) http://solstice.inner-ninja.com/solstice.htm

Painted (standard) and optional polished aluminum.

The next option list we had posted later by SATCH only showed the options I think (his original post if linked below) so it seems to only show the aluminum.

Satch Post:
http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=17975&postcount=1

 

[achieftain]

Are you sure about that? I thought that road salt stains and eats up chrome. I've never had problem with aluminum rims.

Then you didn't have "Argent Painted" alum wheels at any time in the past.

 

[Audio Imagez]

Then you didn't have "Argent Painted" alum wheels at any time in the past.

Nah. Mostly just polished aluminum.

 

[achieftain]

Nah. Mostly just polished aluminum.

I forgot, those wheels went away the year we brought you home from the hospital, son. :lol:

 

[SolsticeMan]

Go for polished aluminum.

I heard from a guy who used to work for a wheel company that chroming an aluminum wheel adds 1 to 1 1/2 lbs. PER WHEEL.

Gotta save that weight!!!:lol:

 

[Fformula88]

Are you sure about that? I thought that road salt stains and eats up chrome. I've never had problem with aluminum rims.

Salt can be very bad for chrome, but it generally shows itself on cheap chrome. GM's factory chrome wheels all seem to hold up amazingly well in the north. Much better than clearcoated brushed aluminum wheels do. The clearcoated brushed aluminum wheels will begin to corrode under the clearcoat after just one or two winters, while the chrome tends to still look good for a number of years. GM apparently just spends the money on chrome to let it last, since I have seen aftermarket chrome rims that are trash after one or two winters too.

 

[Audio Imagez]

I forgot, those wheels went away the year we brought you home from the hospital, son.

Laugh it up grandpa! :lol:

My polished aluminum wheels stayed in great condition on my Pontiac. They even lasted through Canadian winters.

 

[goalscore247]

Go for polished aluminum.

I heard from a guy who used to work for a wheel company that chroming an aluminum wheel adds 1 to 1 1/2 lbs. PER WHEEL.

Gotta save that weight!!!:lol:

Im not all about the weight conservation like that or anything, But that does sound like a lot of chrome weight

 

[AeroDave]

I thought it was pretty clear. Painted silver standard, polished optional, and maybe chrome later. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's what it sounded like to me.

 

[PAS22]

My experience is that factory polished aluminum holds up find, but anything clearcoated does not. Everything from road salt to tire shine products damages the clear coat layer.

 

[brentil]

From the options lists we got, and my options sheet I built.

Wheels, 18" painted aluminum, 5-spoke (N87)

 

[Fformula88]

If I were not going to get chrome, I would prefer a painted silver wheel, or powdercoated silver wheel. I have had fabulous luck with both in regards to how well they hold up in salt and bad weather.

 

[Fortimir]

I made sure to order mine with stock rims so there wouldn't be a September delay.