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BBS-LM Wheels Question

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Old Aug 10, 2010 | 12:02 AM
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Default BBS-LM Wheels Question

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.
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Old Aug 10, 2010 | 03:45 AM
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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.
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Old Aug 10, 2010 | 04:06 AM
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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
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Old Aug 10, 2010 | 09:34 AM
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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
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Old Aug 10, 2010 | 09:34 AM
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Have your BBS wheels refinished. Wheel Works in OKC does great work. They refinished my i-Forged Swifts.
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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 01:42 AM
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Default

Originally Posted by 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.
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.
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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 01:53 AM
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Default As Requested

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

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





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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 01:54 AM
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Originally Posted by 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
Very Nice Ride !!!!
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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 02:10 AM
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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.


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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 02:18 AM
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Originally Posted by 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.


My understanding is they are always aftermarket.
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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 07:31 AM
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Should have been the standard wheel, but were aftermarket purchases.
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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by 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.



Sorry, I forgot to say "Damn Nice ride!!!"
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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted by wcdaniel
Sorry, I forgot to say "Damn Nice ride!!!"
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.
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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 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.
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.

Last edited by wcdaniel; Oct 24, 2010 at 03:24 AM.
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Old Oct 24, 2010 | 03:26 AM
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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.
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Old Oct 24, 2010 | 01:24 PM
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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.
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Old Oct 24, 2010 | 09:00 PM
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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
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Old Oct 24, 2010 | 09:39 PM
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Yes I am - but the wheels look great - follow some of the advice provided and save a bunch of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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Old Nov 3, 2010 | 09:50 PM
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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.
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 12:27 PM
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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
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