Contamination on chrome rims

**98 Purple TA** · 03-29-2009, 03:10 PM

I have the original chrome rims on my TA and have noticed that they are covered in a lacey rust film that will not come off. In the areas where the 5 star spokes meet the outer rim, a discoloration can be seen and felt. on the rest of the rim, it is only noticable when light is show directly on the rim. I have tried to use a few metal compounds to remove the stuff with no luck. The metal surfaces (except where mentioned above) feels smooth without any pits or bumps. This vehicle is a garage queen and only sees sunny days so it is not from road salt or other winter time issues.

**levityinc3** · 03-29-2009, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by 98 Purple TA

I have the original chrome rims on my TA and have noticed that they are covered in a lacey rust film that will not come off. In the areas where the 5 star spokes meet the outer rim, a discoloration can be seen and felt. on the rest of the rim, it is only noticable when light is show directly on the rim. I have tried to use a few metal compounds to remove the stuff with no luck. The metal surfaces (except where mentioned above) feels smooth without any pits or bumps. This vehicle is a garage queen and only sees sunny days so it is not from road salt or other winter time issues.

That is very strange. There are many things that can eat away chrome, but since yours is garaged, I do not know. Sorry man.

**JoshieDoom** · 03-29-2009, 05:02 PM

Hmm. I have same thing you speak of. I just deal with it. Since yours is probably very original and very purple I would keep it the way it is bro

**levityinc3** · 03-29-2009, 05:07 PM

You can have them re-dipped in chrome, however it's kind of pricey.

**BIG GUNS** · 03-29-2009, 05:20 PM

American Racing Torque Thrust IIs. Can the originals.

**dklowrider** · 03-29-2009, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by 98 Purple TA

I have the original chrome rims on my TA and have noticed that they are covered in a lacey rust film that will not come off. In the areas where the 5 star spokes meet the outer rim, a discoloration can be seen and felt. on the rest of the rim, it is only noticable when light is show directly on the rim. I have tried to use a few metal compounds to remove the stuff with no luck. The metal surfaces (except where mentioned above) feels smooth without any pits or bumps. This vehicle is a garage queen and only sees sunny days so it is not from road salt or other winter time issues.

cheap chrome. a lot of originals do that and it gets wose with age and much worse if you put normal miles on in the elements. you should see mine.

**levityinc3** · 03-29-2009, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by BIG GUNS

American Racing Torque Thrust IIs. Can the originals.

+1. Mine are black.

**98 Purple TA** · 03-31-2009, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by dklowrider

cheap chrome. a lot of originals do that and it gets wose with age and much worse if you put normal miles on in the elements. you should see mine.

Damn, not what I wanted to here. So what is it, rust, oxidization? Looks like I will have to get them re-chromed so that I can keep the original rims. After-market are not an option. Trying to keep the car as original as possible.

**levityinc3** · 03-31-2009, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by 98 Purple TA

Damn, not what I wanted to here. So what is it, rust, oxidization? Looks like I will have to get them re-chromed so that I can keep the original rims. After-market are not an option. Trying to keep the car as original as possible.

Oxidation is rust. That is what the problem is. GM probably just put a very thin layer of chrome over them to pinch pennies, however once you get them done right again, they shouldn't give any more problems. Any local precision tool machine shop will know where a chromer is.

**JoshieDoom** · 03-31-2009, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by 98 Purple TA

Damn, not what I wanted to here. So what is it, rust, oxidization? Looks like I will have to get them re-chromed so that I can keep the original rims. After-market are not an option. Trying to keep the car as original as possible.

I would take them down to bare then work your way back up if you get them rechromed.

**levityinc3** · 03-31-2009, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by JoshieDoom

I would take them down to bare then work your way back up if you get them rechromed.

They'll use an acid to strip it down, but you could probably do that with a sandblaster and some stone work.

**langss** · 04-04-2009, 09:34 PM

The chrome is just flat coming of of the ZR1s on my SS.Its bubbling up and looks like crap.I think I will probably just have them stripped and polished.Does anybody know of a good shop in Sothern California.Thanks in advance.

**RyanJM** · 04-05-2009, 04:51 PM

I had my chrome 16's and after 6 yrs as a DD in Mass they started looking beat and I cleaned the car weekly regardless of weather and detailed every 4 months. By 8 yrs they started peeling bad. I dumped them for some new American Racing "killer" chrome 18's. The chrome on GM wheels is trash. Have them triple plated if you plan on keeping them. Or you could do the best factory style thing, get WS6 17's these polished and don't have the issues like chrome. Especially idf it doesn't get driven much.

**JC70SS** · 04-05-2009, 06:29 PM

I have some nice 98-00 WS6 wheels if you want them?

**langss** · 04-06-2009, 02:42 PM

Thank you all for your response,However I do like the wheels that I have.I will look into having them polished.Regards.

**98 Purple TA** · 05-07-2009, 04:09 PM

I hate the polished aluminum rims. That's why I got the chrome rims. It makes the car look even better. Also, at the time I got the car, there was not a lot of chrome rims on cars. Now, everyone has them.