[Michael 514]

Hi again!

Ahh.. the pleasures of a new car... Daily posts to this forum!

Here's this morning's question:

My car came with the 18" painted wheels. They are nice, but not super-shiny like I would have enjoyed. Heck, my STS wheels that I put on my 04 CTS are more reflective than the mirror in my bathroom.

In any case, I am on ebay, trying to find the 'shiny' wheels that I want. I will keep these for my winter tires, and the new ones for summer.

The problem is that I am a little confused.

I have ascertained that the wheels I want are, indeed, the high-polished finish aluminum wheels.

Those are the ones that seem to be in all the CTS brochures, etc.

However, I seem notice on ebay that they also have these wheels that look identical, but that are CHROME.

Can you guys please explain to me the difference between high polished and chrome?

I do understand that chrome is a plating of sorts, but from a practical/cost/durability perspective, is one better than the other?

The prices on ebay are relatively the same. $1000 or so for the "Polished" OEM wheel, and for the "Chrome OEM wheel" (which I guess is done after market)

I'd hate to buy the wrong thing.

Also, I just looked at some GM/OEM part numbers, and I see there are 4628 and 4627 wheels.

One is "Polished, OPTN P75"

and one is "Brilliant, OPTN P75".

Lovely. Even more confusing!
I THINK the ones I have now are the brilliant.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. You guys are all amazing!

 

[Cadillac Tony]

The ones listed as "brilliant" are the painted ones you have now. Polished aluminum will not be quite as reflective as the chrome, but factory polished wheels are clearcoated, therefore easier to keep looking decent than chrome wheels (which can be pitted very quickly if you leave brake dust on it).

I know there's several guys here on the forum that have upgraded to aftermarket wheels- maybe one of them would be willing to sell you the stock polished 18s?

 

[muohio]

The polished wheels will somewhat have the shine of the inside of an aluminum can. I have them on my car and think they fit nicely without being too over done.

 

[Oldschooler08]

Don't be scared off of the chrome wheels. I found a set of new official Caddy chrome wheels which list at $550 each new delivered to my door for $895 for all four. They will look great for years, IMO way better than polished ones. I have them on both my '05 and '09 CTS and they look great. I live where there is salt on the roads for it seems like half the year and there is no pitting at all. They have been on the '05 through five winters.

 

[Michael 514]

Thanks guys!

It does all make perfect sense now.

I actually found a guy on ebay selling the polished ones, and just bought them a few minutes ago!

On a black car, I think MAYBE the chrome would stand out a little too much in terms in the bling bling factor.

These are in near-perfect condition, with no curb rash, taken off a very low mileage car.

The only problem is that he only has 3 of them.

Price was great, though. $150 each plus shipping. Can't go wrong with that!

Now I just have to find a single wheel, and I'm set.

Any ideas if I could use my painted center caps? I think they may look silly. I'll have to order some shiny polished center caps as well...!

 

[z06bigbird]

Tire shops (Disc Tire, NTW, etc) do not recommend chrome wheels. They report that the chrome on the edges of edges of the wheels starts to flake off, causing loss of air. This happens after several years of use, not immediately. Not easily fixable.

Go with polished aluminum.

 

[Oldschooler08]

Tire shops (Disc Tire, NTW, etc) do not recommend chrome wheels. They report that the chrome on the edges of edges of the wheels starts to flake off, causing loss of air. This happens after several years of use, not immediately. Not easily fixable.

Go with polished aluminum.

???, never seen one yet that had the bead chromed. If you don't like the look that's fine but with half way decent care they don't pit and don't lose air. Being an old guy I can't begin to count how many vehicle's I've had that had chrome bumpers that lasted for years. The only issue then was if it got damaged it would rust.

 

[Capco]

I wouldn't buy the chrome cts wheels off of e-bay if you have to take them through a winter. They are beautiful wheels chromed but after one winter in chicago they started to pit and I even washed the wheels down every night in my garage after I came home from work when they had salt on them.

 

[cts2008lover]

Tire shops (Disc Tire, NTW, etc) do not recommend chrome wheels. They report that the chrome on the edges of edges of the wheels starts to flake off, causing loss of air. This happens after several years of use, not immediately. Not easily fixable.

Go with polished aluminum.

I had chrome wheels on my Lexus and loved them many years.
I had no problem with winter salt and edges, however, it can be chipped(flake off) by Tire change machine, I had to replace one because of that.

Now, I have polished wheels on my CTS and love them.

And, generally chromed wheels are heavier than oem wheels

Chromed Wheels = OEM Wheels - Paint + Cooper Plate + Nickel + Chrome Plate

 

[Cad44]

Yeah IMO with Chrome you have the chip scratch issue..can be costly.have to be even more careful with them... as not to scratch them..not really worth the headache IMO..unless you want to just show it a room.

 

[Don7790]

I am not real sure that the high polished rims are clear coated. If they arent than cleaning them will be a pain. If they are than things will be great until they become nicked or scratched. Please correct me if I am wrong. On my other car I have chrome instead of high polished and so far no problems after two years. The high polished look great so far on my new CTS. It doesnt matter which wheels I am cleaning I hate doing wheels.

 

[928S]

I am not real sure that the high polished rims are clear coated. If they arent than cleaning them will be a pain. If they are than things will be great until they become nicked or scratched...

The high-polished aluminum wheels are, indeed, clear coated. I use same liquid car wash (Rain-X) and polish (Zaino Z-2 Pro) on all exterior surfaces, including wheels, for a durable low-maintenance, high-gloss shine. A couple of my wheels have deep curb gouges...not too conspicuous beneath the Zaino polymer...more like "character marks" that one might find on fine wood or leather goods.