Hi Solman98, I was initially disappointed when I discovered my 17" rims were not metal on the surface. I did a little research, found out more, and I am not worried at all now. If you want the super shiny look of chrome, you have to go chrome. Polished alloy is not as shiny. It also has to have its clearcoat protected. I just sold a car with polished alloys, so I know the maintenance. Apparently chroming an alloy wheel and getting it to stay on the rim in all conditions is hard - especially in salty climes, etc. Someone a while back discovered that a layer of tough plastic would hold chrome better. The plastic is thick and tough, and is bonded (epoxied?) to the alloy rim. If the factory was looking to "cheap out", they wouldn't go to all of that trouble....they'd just chrome the alloy and be done with it. So, chrome clad is actually a thoughtful and intelligent decision for longevity. It certainly isn't a cheap hubcap. Apparently there were issues with the BLACK chrome adhering well, but that is my understanding about all of the black chrome parts....they are fragile. The regular chrome parts seem to hold up just fine. Do you have chrome clads on your car? Any first-hand negative experience? God Bless, Marc

 

My Cobalt wheels are of the clear coated polished variety. Wash and go for a like new shine. No, not mirror like, but good.

I have owned the non clear coated type before and yes, if you let them go, they look like crap and are hard to clean after. Stay on them and they can have a mirror like shine.

The only chromed alloys I had were a set of Weld Evos, never a problem with the finish on those. But then again, you get what you pay for. IMO to "cheap out" is to not do it right.

Plastic, may clean up good. But I have seen the end results of chromed plastic before, especially on the exterior. Hopefully these are indeed better. But the the environment wheels are exposed to (heat, brake dust, curbs) it better be good. But there is one thing they can't fix with this method, plastic will accept scratches a lot faster.

Thanks for the heads up, something I know to look out for.

 

Hi Solman98. You might enjoy the fact that every time I look at the photo of your car it catches my attention. It looks fantastic. I wanted a bright blue one when I ended up buying my white '09. Also, before I'd even thought of buying an HHR, I'd seen those Cobalt SS rims like your running around town. I thought how much I liked them. The combination on your car is just right. Those Cobalt SS rims look.....beefy, solid, substantial. They are in the running if I decide to swap out my rims. What I'd REALLY like is a set of Mooneye's Speed Master kidney bean copies of the old '50's Halibrands. I just keep thinking about $1k though, and I don't dislike the ones I have. Maybe at tax return time..... ;-) God Bless, Marc

 

Those are actually chrome and were first used on HHRs in '06 on the Spring Edition.

Here's a pic of the rare early option dual spoke chrome that are on a members HHR.

 

Yup,
Was a typo. They are the 'chrome package' that is standard on the 2LT.

Seth