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The first owner of our '00 ML55 out in California had the original aluminum wheels chromed. Whoever did it didn't do a good job. Because of the chrome peeling and because of the difficulty in finding great tires to fit the stock 18" rims, I replaced them with W164 AMG 20x10 wheels and Pirelli Scorpion 295s some time ago.
The original wheels have been in the garage but the corrosion is worse. Since the chrome is broken in many places, it's progressing with galvanic acceleration -- humidity and heat is all it needs. The inside diameters are badly corroded, and the chrome is all flaking and cracked. I have no evidence that the structural integrity of the wheels is damaged... but galvanic corrosion and aluminum is a really bad combination. Chrome, as hard as it is, isn't a candidate for sandblasting where it's still adhering. And I can't think of a convenient chemical process that would strip the bad chrome plate.
I'm really thinking I just need to scrap them. It's not like they're in short supply, and I can't see trying to recover them being in any way economically consistent with their potential value.
My 2000 ML55 came from factory with the chrome 18's and are also in poor shape with lots of peeling. There is a method that is around now where they dip them in a solution stimulated by electric current that easily removes the chrome but doesn't damage the wheel. Most wheel repair shops have this and it shouldn't break the bank, some people qoute 300-700 for all four wheels stripped and powder coated.
My 2000 ML55 came from factory with the chrome 18's and are also in poor shape with lots of peeling. There is a method that is around now where they dip them in a solution stimulated by electric current that easily removes the chrome but doesn't damage the wheel. Most wheel repair shops have this and it shouldn't break the bank, some people quote 300-700 for all four wheels stripped and powder coated.
Ah. Thanks for that. Provide a solution into which the chrome can easily dissolve and then reverse the normal direction of current flow typical of the corrosion of the aluminum. Knew it had to be possible, but I wouldn't want to have to mess with the paperwork for the EPA certs. Any time you start putting chromium in solution, the government is going to be looking over your shoulder very closely.
The existence of the process commercially explains why there's no shortage at all of refurb OEM wheels on ebay now in the $175 to $225 each range.
I know powder coating locally would cost me $120 per wheel. I've had other wheels done for other projects. But frankly, I wouldn't trust the local fence painters to do aluminum wheels. I don't think their process controls could be guaranteed to keep the powder curing temps out of the annealing range for the wheels' alloy. And I'm skeptical that a capable local wheel repair shop exists at all.
But I will look. Sounds like it would be about a wash if the wheels had value to me and I needed to replace them with identical units. But I don't, and I would only get for them about what it would cost to get them refurbed... or less. And there are tons of alternatives out there for someone who does need or want them. So the question is... do they have value to someone else?
Anyone in the San Antonio area wants a set of W163 ML55 AMG wheels in need of some TLC? Free, I mean. I'd rather see them used than scrapped.
Our Jun 2000 ML55AMG is already such long time with us that she became her own name " The Blue Eliza" from the Ant and the Aardvark. Here in the picture, in the version Dessert Eagle with big AT tyres. 369.000 Km now and the buffalo leather interior is still in good shape. Simply Mercedes - the best or nothing.
$1200 to have the wheels dechromed, blasted, and powder coated... and I'm not sure they're as strong as they should be and I have little to no faith in the temperature controls of the powder coater.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
