Pvd vs chrome

bryan28 · Apr 2, 2017

I'm looking for new wheels and need facts about pvd vs chrome. Which lasts longer, is easier to maintain, etc. I've looked online but can't come to a straight conclussion. I'm leaning towards pvd but would appreciate comments from those who know better than I do. Also leaning towards 18" wheels vs 20s. Any opinions there?

trip1027 · Apr 2, 2017

More rubber can be better. chrome I hate chrome. You have to keep it clean or it will peel that means constant cleaning and polishing every damn wheel

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bryan28 · Apr 2, 2017

Trip1027 is that a vote for pvd? I read both can peel but seems less likely with pvd. Also seems pvd can withstand winter road salt so can be used year-round, weighs less and can be cleaned with just mild soap and water. Also read it usually has a better warranty than chrome.

quietpeen · Apr 2, 2017

had to look up pvd lol. I would go pvd

cyclepuck · Apr 2, 2017

PVD is a powder coat process so it won't have any of the peeling or pitting issues of chrome and that is why I'm going pvd when I'm ready to get wheels. Easier to maintain and can be run year around.

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69GWC · Apr 2, 2017

I am going PVD as well when I buy new rims, amy wheel you buy will have issues of some sort but the PVD coating seems like it would be easiest to maintain.

929rob · Apr 2, 2017

I've had both over the years and pvd is better by far. They are just as durable and easy to clean as any wheel with a clear coat. Most pvd wheels have a 3-5 yr warranty and most chrome wheels are 1 yr max.

Csanders1992 · Apr 2, 2017

I have heard of numerous problems with pvd. Chrome will pit and come off only if you don't take care of it. I have seen pvd peel off in large amounts and it was properly cared for.

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Rzrman328 · Apr 2, 2017

Csanders1992 said:
I have heard of numerous problems with pvd. Chrome will pit and come off only if you don't take care of it. I have seen pvd peel off in large amounts and it was properly cared for.

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Sooo....most wheels will look like ****....eventually....got it.

Lol

barr0208 · Apr 2, 2017

well how about polished aluminum easy to clean when it loses its shine you repolish

Wandell · Apr 2, 2017

I have a set of chrome Eagle Alloy wheels on my wifes Expedition that were installed in 2005. There are a few places that have a slight discoloration and that's about it. I've never polished them, only wash them weekly with Dawn dishwashing liquid. Now, we do live in south Ga where there is no road salt. But the Eagle's are not the highest quality wheels either. In my experience, polished aluminum is by far the hardest finish to keep looking good.

Tim7139 · Apr 2, 2017

Rzrman328 said:
Sooo....most wheels will look like ****....eventually....got it.

Lol

In my experience the chrome wheels leak long before they look bad.

Tim7139 · Apr 2, 2017

18" give a bit more protection from rim damage if you hit curbs, deal with potholes, or off road where rocks live.

20" give a bit better on road handling.

Some people prefer one look over the other.

On the RAMs I like 17" or 18" for winters and 20" for the rest of the year unless the tires are over sized, fairly wide, and have aggressive tread.

Tim7139 · Apr 2, 2017

Neither seem to hold up to any salt, so if you are looking to run them all year or in winter they may not last long.

PVD do seem to hold up a bit better than chrome, and as with many things quality seems to impact lifespan.

Keeping the back of the wheel and the area near the valve stem clean is important with either finish to delay leaking and peeling.

-B- · Apr 3, 2017

cyclepuck said:
PVD is a powder coat process so it won't have any of the peeling or pitting issues of chrome and that is why I'm going pvd when I'm ready to get wheels. Easier to maintain and can be run year around.

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um no Physical vapor deposition is not powder coat it is an option to plate with differing materials DLC is one such , there are a lot more options in durable finishes in PVD but none will shine like a bright chrome finish over nickle

chrome as it is is really just a clear coat on top of a bright nickle plating

personally I rather have hard chrome unfortunately is never going to be an option as it is too hard a finish for wheels

J Rod · Apr 3, 2017

I have had my PVD wheels for 1.5 years now and gone through 2 Indiana winters. They still look brand new. The last set of chrome wheels I bought were non-PVD and they were a PITA to keep looking nice, they started showing signs of rust after the first year.

THETANK · Apr 3, 2017

barr0208 said:
well how about polished aluminum easy to clean when it loses its shine you repolish

my rims on the 15 R/T are the kind you mentioned and I have power polished them enough times that they are starting to look like chrome, love them :favorites13:

Pvd vs chrome

bryan28

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trip1027

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cyclepuck

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69GWC

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929rob

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-B-

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