starcar

I bought a set of used chrome wheels (16x7) the other day, they are off C240 sport wagon. I got them for $100! One has minimal curb rash, but the other three are fine. There are few spots that chrome is coming off and chrome quality is not in the best shape overall (somebody obviously didn't take good care of them). My plan was to take the chrome off and paint them black. After asking few people around, they didn't think that it will look good on my two tone paint. Another thing, should I acid wash them myself (cheap) or take them somewhere to be sandblasted (can get expensive, I hear)? Do I paint them on my own (cheap) or should I powder coat them (expensive)? More I think about it, harder it gets! Maybe I should just consider this my 1st bigger project and try to do it on my own, and if it doesn't turn the way I like it, it was only $100! All suggestions/opinions are welcome! Thank you!

I pressure washed it before taking this picture with my cell phone camera!

STLe320

I have e430 wheels on mine and that were in horrible condition when I got them. I sanded them down, and painted them myself with high-heat heavy duty metallic silver, and then clear coated them 3 times

YNVDIZW124

I used to have those wheels in machine/silver finish. They'll look really good on your car. About stripping chrome off it shouldn't cost more than $25 at a local chrome shop to have them acid stripped. You can use a lot of products that can take the chrome off. Easy bake oven cleaner, if you let it sit for a couple of days and a couple of coats will take the chrome off. I've tried to take chrome off wheels in my back yard and it didn't go so nice. It smelled really bad and it took forever! You can also have them sandblasted and using a self etching/filler primer you can primer the wheels. Get some duplicolor paint and some clear coat and that's all you need.

Bigpete123

YNDV knows better than I do on stuff like this. But I will add my comments-

I was looking to have the chrome stripped off of my pre-facelift grille a while back. It took me a while just to find a chrome shop in my area. The guy quoted me something like $150-200 over the phone. I forget what their labor rate was, but I remember it being very high. So YNDV, if you know a source that will do it for $25, please do tell!

The shop I spoke with said the high cost is mostly because of the nasty chemicals (dangerous for workers = high insurance costs) and environmental regulations these days (high chemical/hazmat disposal costs). I decided it wasn't worth it.

I also researched removing the chrome myself, and basically it's not an option from what I can tell. It's extremely difficult and the chemicals are bad news.

I looked into sand-blasting chrome as well. I read that sandblasting is not powerful enough to remove a chrome finish and often causes too much heat (and can warp metal parts- not sure if this applies to wheels).

And finally, as far as painting over chrome, I've learned that it can be done but it won't last nearly as long as if you get down to bare metal, prime, then paint. On wheels, I would assume this would be even more important. But if you do go this route, make sure to get rough up the chrome evenly (no deep scratches though, just make it nice a dull) and use a self-etching primer like YNDV said. I wouldn't expect this to last long on wheels.

Powder-coating is definitely the best option, but like you said, it's also the most expensive. You will need to get down to bare metal in order to powdercoat ($$$ on chrome stripping, then $$$ for powdercoating).

The way I see it, unless these rims are a collectors' item or you're willing to pay more than they're worth to get them finished properly, you're better off living with the chrome and putting them on your car until you can afford the wheels you really want.

RHW

Pete is spot on.

For $100, they will improve your car's look while you find another choice.

Don't go any deeper into them so you can always get your $ back out of them.

YNVDIZW124

Well, I'm lucky to live in so cal. I have shops that can repair wheels and change bolt patterns. Sandblasting won't do anything for the wheels but maybe you can acid etch the wheels and sand them to get the paint to stick. I don't think seattle has a big wheel market so im sure shops there have crazy prices. If you want to do it the back yard way get yourself a plastic container the with of the rims and but like 10 bottles of THE WORKS toilet bowl cleaner. I use the works drain un clogger to remove rust from metal and it works pretty good if you let it sit for an hour or just go over it with naval jelly. Anyways, powdercoating may be too expensive and it's not going to come out good since the wheels need to be stripped and polished for powdercoating first.

The chrome doesn't look that bad but best option would be to use spray paint even if it doesn't last. It's cheap enough where you can re paint them as many times as you want.

starcar

vili1982

250 for all for isin't that bad of a price.

But also for 250 I think you can find another set of 16" wheels around the forums.
Good luck

starcar

$250 seems reasonable for the work that needs to be done, but I might wait for a while and see what happens. Thanks!

Bigpete123

If you are happy with everything about the rims except the chrome, and they are willing to put a warranty on the powdercoat job without de-chroming, then $250 is worth it.

Paint/powder coat is heavily dependent on the quality of the prep work. But if they will stand behind their work with some kind of warranty (in writing) then I'd do it.

YNVDIZW124

I got my 16" c-class sport wheels with tires for $250 and those had about 95% thread left.

Bigpete is right, and if the wheels have curb rash it might look worst. That's a pretty good price btw. You're lucky because shops around here want $400 to powdercoat wheels. Here they are in silver..





Sorry for the grammar, I try to type fast and my thoughts don't connect to the keyboard sometimes.

starcar

Thanks for the post/pic, they do look pretty nice! I'll probably wait and see if something else comes my way. I am not in a hurry since I have almost brand new Michelins on my stock 15" wheels!

Thanks to all of you guys!

ZorroAMG

Never settle when it comes to wheels or car colors...you will ALWAYS regret or re-do them if you do....

ATL_S124

but wth happened to that car?! did it get runover by a soccer mom in her suburban-assault vehicle???

YNVDIZW124

Zorro is probably right....I've tried tons of wheels on my car but can't settle for one style. I'm on the hunt for those perfect rims.

Here is part of my collection of wheels that didn't make the cut.

The car was hit by a red light bandit...

RHW

YNVDIZ
Do you have a pic of your car with the black / bottom rims from your last post?