Telling the difference between wheels?

[photoryan]

How can I tell what type of wheels my truck has? It is a 2003 Yukon SLT, with the 6 spoke wheels. The problem is that I'm not sure if they're polished aluminum, painted chrome or real chrome (though I doubt they're real chrome.)
If anyone is familiar with these wheels, I'd appreciate it, as I don't want to ruin them when I attempt to clean them up a little. If a pic is needed to tell for sure, I could take one today and post it.

Thanks,
Ryan

[Murr1525]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

Pics are always fun, but you can also call a dealership and ask to be sure.

[Mike Pennington]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

Hi Ryan,

Welcome to MOL

An easy way to tell if they are uncoated polished aluminum would be to wash and dry them 1st.

Then take anyone of our metal polishes and rub it into a small part of the wheel using an applicator. If the applicator turns black, they are uncoated. If there is no color on the applicator, then they are either coated aluminum or possibly chrome

Let us know of the results.

[Poki]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

Or....they can be chromed plastic. Yup, I found out the hard way. My 02 Saturn factory chrome wheels are actually alum. or steel outer and chromed plastic centers...the spoke area.

[Eddie6th]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

Can you upload a pic.I typed in on google,but there are different types of 6 spoke for your car.

One type looked like coated alloy's.Another was entirely different,like chrome?

[Chris Allen]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

Or....they can be chromed plastic. Yup, I found out the hard way. My 02 Saturn factory chrome wheels are actually alum. or steel outer and chromed plastic centers...the spoke area.

There it is. GM made quite a few wheels that were rough aluminum with a stylized chrome plastic cap the size of the wheel over it. The easiest way to tell if that's the case is to look or feel into the lug holes to see if you can see or feel a ridge where the cap ends and the wheel begins.

The plastic is actually very durable and is super easy to clean. Post detailed pics if you can, and I'm sure we can clear up the mystery for ya!

[photoryan]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

Ok. I'll try to take a shot today. My wife is due in a couple days, so I've had a lot of other things taking up my precious time.

Chris- I don't think it is plastic. I would seriously hope not- at least not on the SLT model.

Thanks for the help so far. Hopefully I'll be able to get a decent pic today.

[roushstage2]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

One thing that happened to me...

My polished aluminum wheels were so oxidized, I used the milder NXT metal polish and it did not turn black. I proceeded with Wheel Brightener after that; lesson learned. If they are fairly dull looking and don't have a more aggressive polish than NXT, I'd say polish the same spot a few times just to make sure if you are not positive at all.

[photoryan]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

Ok. Here goes first attempt at posting images...

The first is the full wheel. It looks like it is seemless, so I'm thinking it's polished aluminum.

[IMG][/IMG]

The second is a macro shot showing some pits in the wheel. I'm not sure if that's from inferior materials/ workmanship, or from poor care of the truck before I bought it.

[Megafast13]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

Those Look to be polished aluminum! With missing caps

Now try to use Mag & Aluminum Polish, if your cloth or applicator turns black, than they aren't coated. If it doesn't turn black they are coated and just need a standard polish.

From my experience, I would guess they are coated though.

[roushstage2]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

They do look to be polished (and a bit dulled). Only way to tell for sure though is to perform that magical little test.

[CieraSL]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

Did a bit of internet searching, and here's what I came up with:

From edmunds.com: "Despite numerous 2003 upgrades, there's not much different on the outside other than optional multifunction mirrors and new machined aluminum wheels for SLT models."

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2003/gmc...liability.html

[roushstage2]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

Those don't look like any machined wheels I have seen. Even if they were machined, they seem to be polished. I did a very quick search just now, and there were polished alloy wheels in '03...

GM seems to be fairly consistent in offering polished wheels even nowadays.

[photoryan]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

Those Look to be polished aluminum! With missing caps

Now try to use Mag & Aluminum Polish, if your cloth or applicator turns black, than they aren't coated. If it doesn't turn black they are coated and just need a standard polish.

From my experience, I would guess they are coated though.

Well, I took the center cap off so that the picture would show the difference between the "apparently" polished aluminum and the inside non-polished. The inside is definitely machined, so I would assume that the outside was machined before polishing.

Now, for that little test. I just bought the polish at lunch today. So, black would be good? The polish says it's not for coated wheels, so will it ruin the coating if I use a very small amount on it?

[CieraSL]

Re: Telling the difference between wheels?

No, it won't ruin the coating. The test is only to see if it is coated or not.