Remove Chrome from wheels.
10-12-2008, 05:40 PM
#1
2nd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Posts: 353
Remove Chrome from wheels.
I bought so chrome bullits about a year ago and the chrome is trashed. It flakes off in huge chunks. I want to strip them down and spray them black and try and polish the lip. Do you guys know how i might go about taking th chrome off? I was thinking sand blasting but i worry that it might mess up the lug holes and the back of the wheel where it meets the hub.
10-12-2008, 05:53 PM
#2
TECH SAVANT
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Saint Augustine, FL
Posts: 10,938
A fine grain, lower pressure blast might clean them up--however the chrome that hasn't de-laminated will be tough as heck to blast off.
Use duct tape to cover the lug nut holes and the rear seating surface. It's rubbery nature just bounces the sand/grit off and it will hold up a surprisingly long time while sand-blasting the rest of the wheel.
Talk to a local plating shop, there may be some modern techniques/processes for better dealing with tis--the last time I had such a problem was in the early 70s and we used all of the above, emery paper, and a couple drums of elbow grease...
Use duct tape to cover the lug nut holes and the rear seating surface. It's rubbery nature just bounces the sand/grit off and it will hold up a surprisingly long time while sand-blasting the rest of the wheel.
Talk to a local plating shop, there may be some modern techniques/processes for better dealing with tis--the last time I had such a problem was in the early 70s and we used all of the above, emery paper, and a couple drums of elbow grease...
10-13-2008, 06:38 PM
#6
TECH SAVANT
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Saint Augustine, FL
Posts: 10,938
Yeah, the chrome is just going to laugh at anything but aluminum oxide or silicon carbide--both of which will leave a pretty roughed up surface...
Now you know why you very seldom see OEM chromed alloy wheels. Chrome plating aluminum is a bitch, and if not done properly (I.e. expensively, it takes three layers; copper, nickel, and then the chrome) it can peel off in large sections (you knew that).
They don't want the aded expense or warranty callbacks...
Now you know why you very seldom see OEM chromed alloy wheels. Chrome plating aluminum is a bitch, and if not done properly (I.e. expensively, it takes three layers; copper, nickel, and then the chrome) it can peel off in large sections (you knew that).
They don't want the aded expense or warranty callbacks...
10-14-2008, 10:40 PM
#7
2nd Gear Member
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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Posts: 353
BOOO!! Im not past taking a grinder to them babies, even though that would give one heck of an uneven surface. I dont want to toss them, they cost too much. However they are just setting around so i need to do something with them. I know this much, i will never buy chrome again!!
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