The scratches you see are not in the clear coat,they are on the rim itself.
Very poor polishing by whoever makes them for GM before clear coating them.
I had the same issue with my 2005 Vette wheels.

 

thanks, that is great info, did not even think of that!!!!
so, on the '05 Vette, what did you end up doing, if anything at all?

 

Yeah i forgot that i did a how to, i know they are different wheels, but the process is exactly the same. The only thing i have done to them since i did the how to was wash them off and they still look amaizing.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-tutorial-library-21/how-clean-wax-stock-wheels-11925/

 

thanks for the link, great job, they really look nice

 

Noticed scratches on mine today, all 4. One of the wheels I'm going to see if the dealer will replace, it looks like it was stored on the bottom of the stack, deep scratches all over it.

The only fix I can think of is to strip the clear and polish the wheels correctly, then re-clear. I'll probably replace the wheels before I go that far though.

 

I ended up replacing them with some custume made CCW wheels.
I will also be talking to them about getting some made for my HHR / SS.

 

Everyone says that the stock HHR SS wheels are clearcoated.

How is this known ? Is this just assumed, or is it a fact ?

If they are indeed clearcoated, they would be treated quite differently than if they are polished aluminum without clearcoat.

 

from all of the info available, they are clearcoated, I have another thread titled: Do your wheels look like mine? also with pics......

 

i dont think they are clear coated because you can scratch them so easily! i already took 1 back to the dealer and had it replaced then i had them redo the other ones all they do is rub wheel polish on them and takes the scratches right out and look beautiful!

 

that is news to me, I tried to polish them up, but to no avail.....what did you use??????