I ordered my Volt with painted wheels, wanting to keep extra costs low. I figured that it could not be too bad. And I remembered seeing some very nice painted wheels on muscle cars in the past. But it is starting to bug me that I can't find any pictures of a Volt with anything other than the polished wheels. Anybody know of any picture? Or any info at all?

If you haven't found a photo yet, there's one at the link below. I opted for painted too:

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/gmi-drives-2011-chevrolet-volt-96781/

You can see the painted wheels on the Chevrolet Volt website under pictures.
http://www.chevrolet.com/volt/pictures/

I wonder why they don't offer them in brushed or shot peened finish. This should last the best and cost similar or less than painted.

Are the wheels still alloy when painted?? I think they are. What color options are there on the paint??

I initially ordered the polished wheels because I didn't know what the painted ones looked like. When I saw the painted ones on the Volt unplugged tour I switched to painted. They look nice IMO.

OK, thanks for the links. The photo gallery shows photos of just the wheel, one painted, one polished. I agree that the black Volt appears to have the painted wheels, but the author claims that the car he tested had polished wheels - maybe the pictures were not of the car he tested? BTW, I recognized where the picture was taken - it is a popular apple orchard out in the country northeast of Detroit. Actually, I'm quite surprized at how good the painted wheels look.
And George, when you select painted wheels there is no choice of color - not sure what color it is, I would say gray, but seems to look pretty similar to machined metal.

OK but even though they are painted they are still alloy right??

George,

Yes, they are all alum alloy wheels -- The only difference is the finish. The painted ones have a silver finish, and the polished ones are shiny -- almost a chrome type finish, but not quite as mirrored looking as a chrome finish would provide.

When I bought a PT Cruiser a decade ago I chose the
painted wheels over the chromed wheels. Not only
were they cheaper, but I thought they looked better.

I was at the Orlando Volt event a week ago, though,
and was able to see the painted and the polished
wheels in person. In the Volt's case I thought the
polished ones looked just a tad nicer. I chose the
painted ones on my orders (because the polished
ones cost extra, though at the time nobody could
tell me how much extra) and I have no regrets.

Actually, I'm not sure even now I have ever heard
how much extra the polished wheels cost.

[QUOTE=bitguru;45687]When I bought a PT Cruiser a decade ago I chose the
painted wheels over the chromed wheels. Not only
were they cheaper, but I thought they looked better.

I was at the Orlando Volt event a week ago, though,
and was able to see the painted and the polished
wheels in person. In the Volt's case I thought the
polished ones looked just a tad nicer. I chose the
painted ones on my orders (because the polished
ones cost extra, though at the time nobody could
tell me how much extra) and I have no regrets.

Actually, I'm not sure even now I have ever heard
how much extra the polished wheels cost.[/QUOTE

From the Chevrolet volt build your own:

]17" Painted Aluminum Wheels 17" Painted Aluminum Wheels Standard 17" Polished Aluminum Wheels 17" Polished Aluminum Wheels $595

I asked one of the GM engineers the same question in my test ride a couple of Saturday's back. She showed me the wheel. It is a less shiny version of the polished aluminum wheels. I ordered the same as you and, after seeing the wheel, am quite pleased to keep it that way.

Honestly, I thought the painted wheels looked far classier. Thats what I went with.