RAT

So I didn't like the look of the ugly and dirty gray paint on the inside of my OEM chrome Gumbys. The wheels are fantastic, but the gray on the inside of the wheel barrel is pretty sad looking. I found a few posts but it was a hit and miss and the pictures were a bit lacking for me. I'm a pretty visual type person and need the photos more then the description of how to.
Below is a visual of removing the gray paint on the inside of the wheel barrel. The wheels used were OEM Q9V Chrome Gumbys made in 2008. The entire Q9V wheel is chromed, all of it. The wheel barrel is painted as to protect the inside of the wheel barrel from corrosion. Being that I am super OCD I have no worries about the inside of my wheel barrel staying clean. Car is not my DD and it stays spotless, period. If your Vette has chrome wheels and and you are not the cleanest type person, then maybe this is not for you. So fair warning as you will need to keep your wheels clean.


Aircraft Remover & Acetone.


Dawn and a bucket of warm water to clean off A/C Remover.


Gloves to protest your hands from A/C Remover and Acetone.


Can to pour A/C Remover in and hold brush.


Use floor jack to raise your car. Make sure you have jacking pucks. If not, you can possibly damage you lower rockers.


Jack your car up a few inches and then loosen your lug nuts. Do not jack your car all the way off the ground and then begin with lug removal. Make sure your wheels are still touching the ground. After the lugs are loose, then continue with raising your car up. At that point you can take your lugs off and remove your wheel.


With wheel removed be very careful as to not damage anything. Also use a jack stand to support your car.


Q9V wheels with gray paint inside of barrel.


Close up of gray paint.


Aircraft remover on inside of wheel barrel only. I did not tape anything off and was very careful as to not get any on anything else. DO MAKE SURE TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC CAPS OR COVER THEM UP WITH TAPE. THE A/C REMOVER WILL DAMAGE YOUR PLASTIC CENTER CAPS. You might want to tape the face of the wheel and tire off. The A/C Remover did not harm any of the chrome, nor the little that I got on the rubber.


After only leaving on for 2 minutes. This stuff is very quick. If you have wheel weights make sure you brush around them.


Make sure you remove the A/C Remover before it starts to harden back up.


Inside of wheel barrel cleaned off with Acetone. This is only 1 section for now. Do not try and do all of your entire wheel. It will harden and you will have a big mess on your hands.


I have now removed 1/3 of the paint. Continue this process for the rest of the wheel. Don't get in a big hurry.


Wheel ready to be cleaned. Notice there are little chunks of gray paint on the tire and wheel. The warm water and soap will remove them.


Wash with warm water and Dawn.


Wheel dryed off and ready for chrome polish.


Close up after cleaning.


Another close up after cleaning. I think they turned out pretty nice.


Apply chrome polish to wheel. I did this on both the inside and outside of wheels.


Apply wax to the wheel. Use whatever makes you happy.


Face of wheel after polish and waxing.


Inside of wheel barrel after polish and waxing.


Close up of wheel barrel after polish and waxing.


Have tools ready to install your wheel. Have a torque wrench and set it at 100FP.


Lower your car so you have just enough pressure on your wheels and begin your torque process. Torque lugs to 100 foot pounds. Lower car and don't forget to remove jacking pucks.

AORoads

beautiful but I think you'll be taking care of them a lot. still, looks great.

uknowme2good

That was a great post....the pictures show all i need to do...Now i have a project for this weekend....thanksss

Vasta

You are OCD. But I have to take my hat off to you, they look outstanding!

fastskyline

not worried about rust?

CGZO6

great write up, wheels look much better. I Zaino'd my car a year ago, followed up with rejex. It's still beading water. recommend a good wax so they are easier to take care of.

QUAKEJAKE

I don't have chrome wheels but this is one of the best DIY mods I've seen on the forum.Gives your Vette a "show car" look.

RAT

Nope, I'm pretty clean with everything I own. I get crap about it all the time from my friends. You know, didn't ask God to make me this way. Dust totally pisses me off, hate it. I'm also going to change to ceramic pads in a couple weeks. That'll also help with the possible corrosion.

usraptor

Great post! Now I have another winter project in addition to having the calibers powder coated. Just curious. Are your calibers powder coated or painted?

T Will

Wow, nice write up. Are the barrels under the gray paint chrome?

speedraider

TexasMadMan

If you wanted to take this a step farther, could you clear spray the barrels to give protection? Would it hold up? Your thoughts?

btw, looks real good.

Knob Jockey

Are they chrome or polished aluminum?

Perfect opportunity for a couple of coats of REJEX.

Either way, nice job.

RAT

Yes, my calipers are powder coated. I had them done in late July of this year. They are Crystal Red Metallic and Mike The Powder Coater did the work. They are 100% perfect.

The Power Coater
http://www.thepowdercoater.com/

Thanks, yes there is chrome under the gray paint.

Thanks again, I'm not sure about clear coating the barrels. That's a good idea and something that I need to research.

I just finished the last wheel. It's a messy but well worth it job.

RAT

Thanks, my wheels are chrome and yes the barrels are factory chromed as well.

okie08vette

Great Post, I hate that gray paint going to do it myself this winter. Any body have and neg input on this? Why was the gray paint applied in the first place? Why would the inside of the wheel rust any more than the rest of the wheel its all plated the same?

Cybernetic Medic

I wonder how long they have been painting the barrels and if all chrome wheels are completely chromed? I have an 07' with factory chrome wheels and I'd like to do this.

RAT

The only negative aspect is not cleaning off the brake dust and road grime. The reason for painting the wheel barrel is for corrosion protection. I guess GM figures that we are lazy and never clean our wheel barrels. If you don't keep them clean you can possibly have problems. Probably most of us don't really care all that much. But a few of us keep our cars clean, and drive them as well.

I'm not sure how long they have been chrome plating the entire wheel on our Vettes. From what I have read you have to chrome plate the entire wheel. You probably have chrome under your gray barrels. The plating quality, again from what I have read is not all the same. Some barrels tend to look very nice while others look like crap. Never know until you remove the gray paint.

BearZ06

Wheels look great. Is that grandma's hand stitched quilt you're using to work on?? She wouldn't like that.

geo2000

Another project to add to my list, thanks for the post