Anyone ever UN-CHROME a set of wheels???

[Compensating]

Hello all,

I have a set of the 2000 OEM 18" chromes on my 97 GTS..

Not really in a position to go with a 19/20 swap just yet.. But I still want to make it a little different than other vipers.

One of my front wheels has a large area of chrome that is flaking off.. Looks like brake fluid leaked and ate through the chrome coating. This is why I want to either go bare.. or if that doesn’t work out I will powdercoat them black like TOOFST's

HAS ANYONE EVER UN-CHROMED THEIR WHEELS?

How is the achieved? Dipping? Sanding?

The look I am after is just the bare aluminum with a clear coat.

Thanks for all of the help!

ps.. Got slipped a week here so no I will be home on the 19th!..

 

[ryan94rt10]

those wheels come high polished from the factory...not chromed! unless they have been chromed aftermarket they should be high polished aluminum...so just treat them as they are aluminum clad!

 

[Newport Viper]

I always wondered if you could un-powder coat something?

 

[Jeff Torrey]

You can un Powdercoat something by bead blasting it.

 

[Compensating]

so apparently the "flaking" is the clear coat??

I had suspected that... but I tried to repolish the bare spot and did not suceed..

So media blasting them completely should do the trick...

and if that doesn't work I will just powder coat them black..

Thanks to all!

 

[BDZ1984]

if there a factory finish wheel you can send them to any GOOD wheel repair shop and they can refinish them in a true polished finish... I did this on my stock 18s when I had them and they look amazing IF you can keep up on them...

 

[DodgeViper01]

those wheels come high polished from the factory...not chromed! unless they have been chromed aftermarket they should be high polished aluminum...so just treat them as they are aluminum clad!

That is the best explaination. I had the problem of chipping on the aluminum a bunch of times and got tired of it so I had the wheels chromed. Looks ten times better!!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

There is a huge difference between chrome and polish. Particularly with 97 because they were not so high polished.

So are they chrome or polish?

 

[onerareviper]

From the factory they are polished and clear coated (not sure if powder or paint, but cleared). You should treat the wheels like paint. Of course, if you remove the clear (that which is peeling on your wheel), you are left with bare aluminum and MANY hours polishing to keep them looking good. IMO, you will quickly get bored with this task.

 

[Vic]

I use the curb to take the finish off of mine.

Does that help?

 

[Newport Viper]

I use the curb to take the finish off of mine.

Does that help?

No, no, it dosen't.



http://www4.forum.viperclub.org/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB17&Number=692527&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

 

[Camfab]

If the finish is peeling, pull a small sample off. If is the original clear coat, it will be translucent. If it's chrome then it will be a shiny, sharp, thin piece of metal.
If it's clear coat, do not media blast it. Simply use aircraft coating remover. Aircraft coating remover is like paint remover, but stronger and safe to use with aluminum. Don't forget the eye protection, nitrile gloves and a open area. This method will leave the original polished surface undamaged. Media blasting is the way to go if your going to powdercoat them black.

 

[Johann]

those wheels come high polished from the factory...not chromed!

According to the "features" section on this site, the '98-'02 18" wheels were chromed.

To my knowledge, the only way to correctly unchrome the wheels is in a plating shop, they strip the old chrome before replating a previously chrome plated part.

 

[onerareviper]

They are not chromed from the factory. I am 100% sure.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

According to the "features" section on this site, the '98-'02 18" wheels were chromed.

It is incorrect. '98 were still 17-inch and none were chromed.

 

[Compensating]

Ok.. to "clear" things up.. sorry I couldn't resist..

The wheels are off a 2000... NOT the original 97's...

I will be home in a week.. When I return I will post some pics and pull off a piece of the flaking to see if its clear coat or chrome plating...

Ultimatley the look I am after is a "satin" finish..

If its not to my liking I will already be one step closer to powder coating them black..

Thanks for all of the input!

 

[Newport Viper]

If you go black go semi-gloss, not full gloss. Check out my photo gallery.

They have black chrome now too, see here.

http://www.wheel-repairs.com/

 

[onerareviper]

I'm love'in that black chrome. Would look wicked on a silver car.