Polished aluminum vs. chrome?

[jjaaam]

I'm sure this topic has had the horse killed, cremated, buried, resurrected, and the whole process done again a bajillion times by now, but I'd like to get some current opinions from the team here, please.

I'm trading in my 2021 Tahoe Premier for a 2023 like model. One difference is that the new one is coming with 22" polished aluminum wheels instead of the 22" chrome ones that I currently have. Not a deal breaker, but I am wondering about the appearance. I'm assuming that the aluminum wheels are clear coated so any sort of extra polishing to get them looking as shiny as chrome would be a wasted effort.

So, in your opinions, how do the aluminum wheels look as compared to chrome? Are they anywhere near as shiny? And, if not, is there really anything I could do other than strip the clear coat and put all the effort in to spit shine and maintain them (which, of course, I am NOT inclined to do).

Thanks for your time!

 

[Kpwweb]

I like the aluminum better. I think aluminum looks better. Unlike chrome, there are refinishing options with aluminum compared to chrome. The wheels will get nicks and scratches. Aluminum can be refinished much “easier”. Also, tires “stick” better to aluminum wheels.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

Pers pref...one is shiny like chrome, one is more muted. If you are in love w/ the Chrome, swap w/ your new ride and keep them.

I had chrome on my 2013 Suburban, and no issues at all in 8 years w/ corrosion or nicks or scratches, and I live in MN...
Key w/ the Chrome is don't use standard wheel weights, use the stick on ones...but that is pretty much the norm now anyway.

 

[toi]

to me polished is always better than chrome plated. they dont peel or chip and easily fixable.
and have a nice sheen to them

 

[jjaaam]

to me polished is always better than chrome plated. they dont peel or chip and easily fixable.
and have a nice sheen to them

I guess I’ll see for sure when I pick it up next week. I was looking at the freshly washed chrome today in the sun and I gotta admit I like the look.

 

[Trey Hardy]

I like my aluminum wheels better then my chrome I never wash my rig and I can go 6 months without polishing and they will buff back to a chrome like mirror shine where my chrome wheels has putting in the cracks from just sitting in the Garage. I live on the coast so salt air is a issue here

 

[Doubeleive]

the only issue with aluminum is keeping them polished, especially if they are designed to have a nice appearance (high polish), regular aluminum oem wheels that are not polished generally hold up fine. chemicals will ruin the shine quickly

 

[jjaaam]

the only issue with aluminum is keeping them polished, especially if they are designed to have a nice appearance (high polish), regular aluminum oem wheels that are not polished generally hold up fine. chemicals will ruin the shine quickly

Key point here is the fact that I’m referring to OEM wheels. I’m assuming they’re clear coated, so your can’t really “polish” them up; just keep them clean. The finish from the factory is as shiny as they’re going to be…unless I’m wrong.

 

[Pertzbro]

I'd assume once they get damaged, some heavy cutting w/ a wheel and then polishing after would cut the clear and damage off and you'd be back to bare aluminum to polish back just like the truckers do.

 

[Banks22]

I have the 22” polished aluminum I really like them. I had these same wheels on my 19’ Silverado and they held up really well thru 3 michigan winters, wish I could have got them on my 22’ Silverado.

 

[jjaaam]

I have the 22” polished aluminum I really like them. I had these same wheels on my 19’ Silverado and they held up really well thru 3 michigan winters, wish I could have got them on my 22’ Silverado.
View attachment 379152

Pearl Premier? Exactly what I have…it’s the best Tahoe I’ve ever had, and I’ve gone through 7 of them in the last 20 years. Love this vehicle!

 

[CrossM2]

I’m a chrome girl myself, always had the 22” chrome, just bought a z71 Tahoe instead of my Yukon I usually go with and as you know we have a totally different look here, trying to figure out how to embrace all the dark coloring and zero chrome!

 

[Banks22]

Pearl Premier? Exactly what I have…it’s the best Tahoe I’ve ever had, and I’ve gone through 7 of them in the last 20 years. Love this vehicle!

Summit actually. Ordered this exact build in iridescent got denied spring 21’ and found this in transit.

 

[SSpinball]

chrome rusts, you can polish the Aluminum back to new shine a thousand times if needed.

 

[R32driver]

I'd take polished over chrome any day and I can still claim chrome delete even without black wheels

 

[tanda35]

I have the 22” polished aluminum I really like them. I had these same wheels on my 19’ Silverado and they held up really well thru 3 michigan winters, wish I could have got them on my 22’ Silverado.
View attachment 379152

Wish I could find this style in 20'' for my '20 Tahoe Premier. Sharp looking wheel.

 

[adventurenali92]

Key point here is the fact that I’m referring to OEM wheels. I’m assuming they’re clear coated, so your can’t really “polish” them up; just keep them clean. The finish from the factory is as shiny as they’re going to be…unless I’m wrong.

This is incorrect information on “polishing”. You’re talking about making the finish brighter which is not polishing. “ Polishing” at least in this frame of reference would be taking a corrective abrasive compound like paint correction products to remove imperfections like scratches in the surface. I have 2021 Denali 20s, like the wheels that @R32driver posted on his XL Yukon. They do have a factory clearcoat over them so correction compounds can be used on the surface of the wheels to even put imperfections like scuffs. Now you’re not going to be able to “polish” them to make them shinier than what they already are to a like chrome mirror finish. If that’s the look you’re going for then you would want to get actual chrome plated wheels. Ask the dealer about a wheel swap. Most have OEM wheels in stock and usually will be willing auto make a swap if the wheels on the new truck aren’t to your liking.

That being said I love the polished aluminum 2021 wheels I scored as take offs virtually brand new. Gal I bought them off of had less than 100 miles on the Denali she pulled up in when we met to make the wheel sale. Been on the truck a little over two years now and they look just as good as they did the day I bought em. But that being said I’m a professional detailer with the best products always available on hand. Before I mounted them up I took a little bit of wheel correction product and tidied up the wheel surfaces, and then gave them a good coating of three year ceramic coating that I always have on hand. The ceramic coating makes them super easy to keep clean. What minimal dust my carbon fiber ceramic brake pads do shed doesn’t stick to the wheels and make them black like OEM brake setups do. Even when they are dusty from the usual dusty grime of the mountains where I live they still have a really nice bright finish. Took this photo November 22’ after a 9 hour drive from where I live in southern caifornia, up to San Francisco for a Carrie underwood concert and after several hundred miles of driving my wheels still had a nice bright finish and looked good for a quick Golden Gate Bridge photo.