SLK/R170: HELP: Chrome (plated?) Wheels peeling and I'm selling my car today!!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Perrysburg, OHIO
SLK230
HELP: Chrome (plated?) Wheels peeling. How do I clean?
Hello all! I need some help.
I have a 2001 SLK 230 Kompressor in Glacier White with upgraded wheels/rims. They are the polished chrome type- see picture. Anyhow, I recently moved from California to Ohio where there has been a bit of snow this winter. If you are familiar with snowy winters, you know they put salt on the roads to help the conditions. Well, apparently that salt does not mix well with chrome and thus, the chrome on my wheels is peeling and chipping.
I was just washing the car and giving special attention to the dirty rims when I noticed they are suddenly peeling and corroding. Does anyone have recommendations on the best way to take care/clean of the wheels that are peeling? Someone mentioned steel wool and WD-40? to get all the peeling pieces off, then to wash with soap and water. But this sounds harsh.
There is also alot of black brake dust that is harder than heck to remove due to the salt I believe?! Ugh. Any help is appreciated!! Thanks so much!
Here's some pics of my car and the rims of what they DID look like prior to salt!
I have a 2001 SLK 230 Kompressor in Glacier White with upgraded wheels/rims. They are the polished chrome type- see picture. Anyhow, I recently moved from California to Ohio where there has been a bit of snow this winter. If you are familiar with snowy winters, you know they put salt on the roads to help the conditions. Well, apparently that salt does not mix well with chrome and thus, the chrome on my wheels is peeling and chipping.
I was just washing the car and giving special attention to the dirty rims when I noticed they are suddenly peeling and corroding. Does anyone have recommendations on the best way to take care/clean of the wheels that are peeling? Someone mentioned steel wool and WD-40? to get all the peeling pieces off, then to wash with soap and water. But this sounds harsh.
There is also alot of black brake dust that is harder than heck to remove due to the salt I believe?! Ugh. Any help is appreciated!! Thanks so much!
Here's some pics of my car and the rims of what they DID look like prior to salt!
Last edited by DaisyRae; Apr 1, 2008 at 02:38 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 2
From: Arizona, USA
W205 C300
The point that you made is that you are selling the car. If you are not willing to buy another set of wheels to make it look better then it is AS IS. Salt and chrome don't mix. Get a set of silver rims off of ebay. Then sell just the chrome rims on ebay. You might even make some money because people will buy anything in an auction. Even kidney stones from a celebrity or toast that has the image of Elvis or the Virgin Mary fetch big bucks. 
