removing Chrome

[tannerc91gt]

I picked up a set of 17x8 Cobra Rs today and am planning on cleaning them up, repainting them and selling them. Problem being, 3 of the wheels are aluminum (pretty dirty) and the other is a nearly new chrome wheel from AM.

The plan is to have a matching set because they will obviously be easier to sell and one chrome wheel isnt doing me much good.

so to get to my question, how can i safely remove the chrome without damaging the wheel/pitting etc.

Im not exactly a chrome expert but from what i understand the wheels are plated in zinc, then copper, then the chrome and its a chemical process involving dipping, electric current, the whole 9 yards. I obviously dont have this setup at my house . Is there a CHEAP way to remove the chrome finish, sandblasting (which i assume would pit the wheel) or wheel acid (doubtful this would accomplish anything other than damaging the wheel)

if theres no good way to do it i will just hold onto the chrome wheel until i have the funds to get 3 more and do something with the other three, but id really like to be able to get these wheels cleaned up and sold

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

I had a shop sandblast a set of Tri-bars that were chromed. They were peeling so badly though that the pitting was actually eating at the aluminum wheel itself. They were pretty much junk when I got them back. The bead of the wheel where the tires seals up was pitted that tires wouldn't even hold air. I sold them for scrap and bought a new set. The only place that rechromes is Cali, and they quoted me 300 per wheel, plus shipping!!

 

[whitesqual]

Why remove the chrome if you are going to paint them anyway? The chrome can be scuffed up and painted just like any other surface. If I remember correctly there are several how to's for painting chrome rims on the web.

 

[tannerc91gt]

I almost hate to scuff up the chrome one, it's in REALLY good shape but isn't much good on it's own. I guess I figured the paint wouldn't adhere to the chrome surface very well even if it was scuffed up.

Probably just going to paint the whole set satin silver. I've got quite a few sets of wheels gathering up

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

To be honest a good paint will adhere to chrome. I sanded down by BBK chrome CAI on my project car. I primed it with Nason 2K Urethane primer and then painted it silver. It turned out well. IDK how it would work with wheels but the pipe turned out good. The first half I left chrome.

 

[tannerc91gt]

yeah, i did a little research and it seems like guys are having success by using self-etching primer, and then a regular primer and then the wheel paint. 80 grit with a DA is what seems to be the recommendation and a higher grit to smooth things out a bit.

i also came across a few people saying to just hit it with a scotch brite pad and paint them, but ill probably avoid that method

the plan is to sell these wheels after i clean them up so honestly i could sand them a bit, spray them and get rid of them but id hate for someone to buy them and have them start flaking apart.

 

[tannerc91gt]

Started painting the wheels, will post pics tonight.

 

[tannerc91gt]

 

[Gdizzle]

i would use an adhesion promotor like ''bulldog'' also. it says on the lable that it will help paint stick to chrome.

 

[FoxGT87]

looks good tanner, i like it.

 

[Shaolin Crane]

are those R58's or M179's?

 

[tannerc91gt]

Replica M197s I believe. They were on an 01

 

[Shaolin Crane]

Replica M197s I believe. They were on an 01

damn if they were 9" rims i would be all over them

 

[Chrome_Rust]

I wanna stay!! I wanna STAY!!!!!



lolzz....