wcdaniel

I have a 2003 QuickSilver Metallic C5 that I am very fortunate to own. My BBS-LM wheels are starting to show (just to me) signs of wear with some pealage of the clear coat. I was considering options and the idea of chrome-plating them ran through my head.

CCW appears to be a good candidate.

Does anyone have any thoughts, comments or guidance ??

All help is appreciated.

Hollowpoint

are you saying you are considering replacing them with ccw's or are you looking for a place to refinish them. I wont be of much help on finding a refinishing place but I do want to throw in my 2 cents and say please keep the BBS LM's on there. One of the coolest wheels ever made and rare as they get on Vettes. Oh and please post up some pics.

Vetteman Jack

If you want to replace them with CCWs, I'd say that would be an excellent choice - hard to beat the quality and customer service from CCW.

If you want to just refinish the wheels, here are a few vendors that can help you out:

Chroming wheels:
• Wheel Techniques, Santa Clara, CA
• HubCap and Wheel Store, St. Charles Rock Road, St. Charles, MO 314-291-5101
• California Chrome Wheel Inc (www.calchrome.com) 28315 Constellation Road, Valencia, CA 91355

Wheel repair vendors:

• www.truwheel.com (N. Hollywood, CA)
• Wheels America
• www.wheel-repairs.com (Santa Ana, CA)

Vendor for refinishing wheels: 360 Forged, 12225 SW 128 Street #108, Miami, FL 33186 (305-255-5166). Contact Jon or Jordan.

• Painting and / or refinishing of OEM wheels.
• 3 piece wheel repair, i.e., bent lip, peeling chrome on lip, paint issues, etc.
• re-finishing, i.e., change color, finish, etc.
• scratch repair and curb rash.
• Custom paint finishes such as:
-hand brushed aluminum
-color matching
-pinstriping
-2 tone paint jobs
-tinted clears
-painted fasteners

JohnnyDee

When I bought my car I wasn't crazy about the BBS wheels. I liked the chromed thin spokes, you know, the ones you see all the time. The BBS wheels have grown on me because you don't see that many. I've gotten a lot of comments about how good they look on the car. I too have the same issues with chipping especially around the lug holes. I've thought about having the centers blasted and powdercoated gunmetal. Since I live in central Illinois (middle of a corn field) I have limited choices locally. I could always ship them but shipping can get expensive. Let us know what you decide, I say keep the BBS's

jrose7004

Have your BBS wheels refinished. Wheel Works in OKC does great work. They refinished my i-Forged Swifts.

wcdaniel

I mistakenly assumed CCW and California Chrome Wheels were one in the same. My bad. Yes, I was considering chroming the BBS wheels. It was just an idea to throw out there for discussion.

I really appreciate all the folks that threw in the excellent information. Great Stuff from a Great Group of Vette-Heads.

also, I will post up some pics shortly.

wcdaniel

Here are a few pics of my Silver Bullet C5 50th. Enjoy.

Also, living here in Bowling Green is GREAT for a Vette-Head.

wcdaniel

Very Nice Ride !!!!

NorCalVette Kid

I was wondering if the BBS LM's came as an Option?
I've always thought the owner before me got it as an aftermarket item.

wcdaniel

My understanding is they are always aftermarket.

AU N EGL

Should have been the standard wheel, but were aftermarket purchases.

wcdaniel

Sorry, I forgot to say "Damn Nice ride!!!"

NorCalVette Kid

Hey Thanks!

I have the same issue with the clear coat peal. I was thinking of having the center part powder coated a gunmetal and the ring refinished. I really want 18/19s so I might just get a new set of wheels.

wcdaniel

Interestingly, I have had several folks say that I need to keep the BBS wheels because of the how unique and how good they make our rides look. I am now considering my options on getting the wheels professionally polished.

News: I found out the wheels are 2-piece. I should be able to remove the center piece with the spokes and have them powder coated to a chrome or polished aluminum look. Interestingly, the rims still look good. The 'wear' is isolated to the center spokes.

wcdaniel

News:
I found out the BBS-LM wheels are 2-piece. I should be able to remove the center piece with the spokes and have them powder coated to a chrome or polished aluminum look. Interestingly, the rims still look good. The 'wear' is isolated to the center spokes so the powder coating may be the way to go.

JohnnyDee

I contacted BBS of America, Inc. in Braselto, GA. about having BBS wheeels restored. I was told they only have offices and warehousing in the States. Thats the only info I received from them.

BobAruba

Bill, those BBS wheels look great in natural buffed aluminum.

If the chipping clear coat is bothering you that much... and if you do not have any bad chips, nicks or scratches... strip the clear coat off yourself. Buff those babies.

Then save some $ and re-apply a fresh layer of clear coat.

They look great man.

Bob

dquagliaroli

Yes I am - but the wheels look great - follow some of the advice provided and save a bunch of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

wcdaniel

I very much appreciate the advice. I believe I may be way to critical of my wonderful ride....... What's that saying about some of us being our own worst critics ?? At any rate, I value the honest thoughts.

NHrdking

I recently purchased these mint 15 year old BBS Lemans wheels & couldn't be happier with fit & overall look. Does anyone know approx how many of these Lemans wheels were Mfg by BBS during the C5 production years? They seem to be very rare indeed