fix my rims.

**Bouvers** · 04-30-2007, 05:25 PM

Hey guys, my 97 TA has a characteristic that annoys the shit out of me. The chrome on my rims is peeling off just the finish. Now short of re-chroming I've been told that there is actually a good cheap fix. However, I just wanted to run this by you guys to see if anyone has had experience with this.
As I said the finish is peeling off, I was thinking can you buy some kind of automotive paint peeler and put it on the rims and let it sit/eat away at the finish and then brush it clean. I've been told that this lifts the finish off and you end up with just some sparkling clean aluminum underneath, true or false?
any pointers are appreciated.

**greatwhiteZ28** · 04-30-2007, 05:46 PM

ive notice my 02 chrome wheels doing the same thing but only where you cant see them behind everything. its from the heat of the brakes soo im curieis also

**9t8z28** · 04-30-2007, 05:48 PM

I don't know, but you got one sweet lookin ride!

**Bouvers** · 05-02-2007, 04:25 PM

bump... come on someone has had to of done this before at some point... anyone or even a similar situation... I'm waiting on feed back before I take stripper to my rims...

**9t8z28** · 05-02-2007, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Bouvs

bump... come on someone has had to of done this before at some point... anyone or even a similar situation... I'm waiting on feed back before I take stripper to my rims...

Honestly, I have thought of doing this to my silver powdercoated ZR-1 rims! The finish has got to be the same if not better on the chrome wheels!
I think you could do it if you found a way to get the chrome off!
Check with a re-chroming facility and ask them what they use to get old chrome off so they can re-chrome them. I would think that they would blast it off with a meterial that is not to harsh.

**chuckstop00** · 05-03-2007, 02:27 PM

Also interested. Have my original chrome rims in the cellar, using brushed
aluminum ones till the $ fairy flies by. Was thinking of cleaning them up and
getting the rim part red annodized, leave the spokes chrome, now there's
a project and a half.

**Fastcar** · 05-05-2007, 07:51 AM

I was at the Englishtown car show last week and asked the same question to a vendor that offered rechroming services. My 2000 T/A has chrome peeling from the inside of the wheel, and corrosion of the wheel where the tire bead seats is also causing the chrome to peel. That wheel has a slow leak - my tire guy fixed it by removing the loose peeling chrome from the bead seating area, then he put a sealer on the spot. He told me that it would work for a while, but the leak would return as the corrosion progressed. Anyway, the chrome guy said that my wheels could not be rechromed because the center section was made from a different (pot) metal than the wheel itself which is steel. The center section is chromed separately from the wheel, then welded together to make the final product. The center section, because it's made from a different metal from the wheel requires a different chroming process chemically. He couldn't do it, but I haven't checked with any motorcycle dealers yet who know rechromers if it can be done. In the meantime, I got a spare wheel from the junkyard that's not yet corroded. Also, any chemicals strong enough to remove chrome from metal might cause pitting of the metal underneath the chrome....

**craig02ta** · 05-06-2007, 02:42 PM

one easy way to protect chrome wheels is put a coat of wd-40 on them keeps them looking good to

**Senator** · 11-06-2010, 09:07 AM

ttt i need the same info...my chrome wheels (ROH ZS) are causing a leak as well and they all are showing corrosion in one form or another. Time for new wheels? Way too big $$$ for me now...how to repair the leaky wheel?

If there is damage to the wheels, will rechorme fix that without looking funky (the fronts have some scratced up areas form curbs and such...)?

Has anyone had that process done on their wheels?

**Z28_Driver** · 11-24-2010, 04:46 PM

Same problem with the bead seal leaking from corrosion.

Tire dealer ground it, sealed it and 3 months later it leaks again. We have two of the cars with chrome wheels. 3 leaking wheels between the two sets.

No shops locally do chrome.

I would be interested in repair suggestions.

**cammed goat** · 11-24-2010, 07:30 PM

What I've done is I would grind the chrome plating off the inner lip where the chrome was peelong and apply bead sealer and let sit for 5 mins. There were times I went around the whole inner lip with a die grinder with a scotchbrite pad and made damn sure the surface was free of any pitts/peeling plating. Only wheels that I haven't been able to sand were severely rusted steel wheels.

**Smittro** · 11-24-2010, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Z28_Driver

Same problem with the bead seal leaking from corrosion.

Tire dealer ground it, sealed it and 3 months later it leaks again. We have two of the cars with chrome wheels. 3 leaking wheels between the two sets.

No shops locally do chrome.

I would be interested in repair suggestions.

I use sray on permatex (red hi-tack) to seal beads works like a charm. Cleans up with just a rag and gunk.

To the OP:

Chrome is electro plating.. Solvents prolly wont remove it imho.. However it does'nt hurt to try @ this point.. Again imho..

**Z28_Driver** · 11-25-2010, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Smittro

I use sray on permatex (red hi-tack) to seal beads works like a charm. Cleans up with just a rag and gunk.

To the OP:

Chrome is electro plating.. Solvents prolly wont remove it imho.. However it does'nt hurt to try @ this point.. Again imho..

Thanks for the tip. I will try that very soon.