12-23-2020, 10:29 AM | #1 |
Somewhere in the Kalahari
Drives: 2021/18 (de-fresh) 3LT RS Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: California
Posts: 651
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Finish on the factory polished aluminum wheels?
Picked up my 2021 yesterday and was surprised by the "lines" all across the surface of the factory split-spoke 20" wheels with polished aluminum finish. Less polished than I expected, I guess.
First time I have had polished aluminum wheels, and what I am seeing appears consistent with close-up photos I've seen online, but I still wanted to check with others here who have this wheel to see if this is consistent with how the wheels come from the factory. Is there a way to improve the look of these wheels is it just a matter of "get used to it"? Here is a photo showing what I am talking about: |
12-23-2020, 10:52 AM | #2 |
Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS M6 Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Indy
Posts: 2,460
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The picture didn't come through. I like that those wheels are forged! I personally prefer the design of the '16-'18 gray painted machined face split spoke wheels, but I think your wheels are lighter!
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2017 Camaro 1SS, M6, Hurst shifter, Hyper Blue, NPP, Gray Split Spoke Wheels
Best 1/4 Mile: 12.24 @ 115.9 mph |
12-23-2020, 10:05 PM | #3 | |
Somewhere in the Kalahari
Drives: 2021/18 (de-fresh) 3LT RS Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: California
Posts: 651
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Quote:
Since the linked photo didn't work, I'll try it as an attachment to show the "appearance" I was asking about: |
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12-23-2020, 10:32 PM | #4 | |
Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS M6 Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Indy
Posts: 2,460
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Quote:
Since you presumably have new tires on yours, it would be a better comparison to the cast SS wheels since that thread was comparing forged wheels w/ worn tires to SS cast wheels with new tires. Are you able to simply remove the black 'center cap' if you wanted this appearance? I assume they are the same wheels.
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2017 Camaro 1SS, M6, Hurst shifter, Hyper Blue, NPP, Gray Split Spoke Wheels
Best 1/4 Mile: 12.24 @ 115.9 mph |
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12-23-2020, 10:46 PM | #5 |
Somewhere in the Kalahari
Drives: 2021/18 (de-fresh) 3LT RS Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: California
Posts: 651
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Thanks! That is one of the threads I looked at when trying to confirm weights for these wheels.
I had planned on assessing how they would look without the shiny black plastic center cap, and that photo is convincing me that the cap should go... |
12-26-2020, 07:29 PM | #6 |
Somewhere in the Kalahari
Drives: 2021/18 (de-fresh) 3LT RS Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: California
Posts: 651
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Between the tire and wheel wanting to roll off the postal scale, and my skepticism towards the accuracy of the bathroom scale, I came up with an overall weight of 56-57 pounds for the tire and wheel (including the 3 ounce, shiny black plastic, center cap that is never, ever going back on the car).
Less the 30lb tire, that gives an estimated weight of 26-27 pounds for the wheel. So the 2021 20x8.5" split-spoke forged aluminum wheel is maybe ~2 pounds lighter than the 2020 8.5" SS cast wheel. |
12-26-2020, 07:44 PM | #7 |
😁😁😁😁😁
Drives: 1ss Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Detroit
Posts: 145
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I also changed out the center cap. I'd like to polish mine while they're off for winter. Any advice out there?
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12-27-2020, 07:37 AM | #8 |
Drives: 2024 Riverside Blue 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Posts: 1,208
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Just polish them. Aluminum is like any other surface, you eliminate the defects and the "flatter" you make the surface the higher the gloss. I like Fitz metal polish. You could hand polish, buy a polisher, or maybe take them to a detailer. There are some great aluminum polishing products out there. You can even wet sand if you want them looking like mirrors.
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12-27-2020, 12:46 PM | #9 | |
Drives: 2017 Corvette ZO6 & 2021 Camaro LT1 Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Las Vegas/Wesley Chapel
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Quote:
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12-27-2020, 12:56 PM | #10 |
Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS M6 Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Indy
Posts: 2,460
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Those wheels look so much better without that large black ‘hub cap.’
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2017 Camaro 1SS, M6, Hurst shifter, Hyper Blue, NPP, Gray Split Spoke Wheels
Best 1/4 Mile: 12.24 @ 115.9 mph |
12-27-2020, 03:28 PM | #11 | |
Somewhere in the Kalahari
Drives: 2021/18 (de-fresh) 3LT RS Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: California
Posts: 651
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Quote:
Being clear coated might also explain why GM describes them as having a "polished finish" rather than being polished, but that should make them a lot easier to care for... |
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12-27-2020, 04:22 PM | #12 |
Drives: 2024 Riverside Blue 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Posts: 1,208
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12-28-2020, 07:36 AM | #13 |
Drives: 2017 2SS F1FTY Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Posts: 348
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Simply take a small amount of metal polish and a rag. Apply it to the wheel and rub. If it turns black it is not clear coated and is bare aluminum. If it does not turn black it is clear coated and can’t be polished in the traditional sense.
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12-28-2020, 03:37 PM | #14 | |
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Quote:
What is shown in the pictures is typical of a factory polished finish, getting much better than that would be prohibitively expensive.
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