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Chrome the stock wheels?

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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 11:37 PM
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Default Chrome the stock wheels?

I'm looking at buying a 99 black coupe (6spd of course) this wkend. The wheels are the stock alloys. My question is, can I get these wheels chromed?
What is a reasonable cost per set? I like the wheels but the car being black I think it's gotta have some chrome wheels to really look hot!
Thanks for the tips
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 11:47 PM
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I know Corvettes Of Houston has an exchange program, so do other vendors. I'm not sure if you can swap them for painted ones or not, but you could give them a call...

Wheel Exchange
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 11:48 PM
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The cost to chrome those may be more than buying a used set, maybe here on the Forum. Plus figure the breakdown and re-mount cost also, and time delay.
Used sets are very reasonable now, maybe even some chrome 2K or ZO6 wheels even. (IMO)
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 12:14 AM
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There are several forum vendors that have an exchange program. It's the way to go, check it out.

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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 12:38 AM
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You outta think about just having your stock wheels powder-coated Black and keep them...as well as getting some chrome wheels for it.

Black Vettes with black wheels are just so dang BAD looking!!!


BUT...chrome looks pretty good too

Last edited by Cajun99; Sep 24, 2004 at 12:42 AM.
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 08:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Cajun99
You outta think about just having your stock wheels powder-coated Black and keep them...as well as getting some chrome wheels for it.

Black Vettes with black wheels are just so dang BAD looking!!!


Hey! That's my car!!!
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 08:58 AM
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I'd look into the exchange program many of the forum vendors have. Prices are cheap to just swap them out. Last time I heard a price to take your stock wheels and have them chromed was about $150 each. Plus you have downtime unless you have a spare set of wheels. Corvette Mike had a chroming service - not sure if he still does.
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 09:35 AM
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Default Thanks alot!

Lotsa good tips, will check out the exchange program. Those pics are awesome! Now I gotta worry about keeping the beast clean!
Can't wait to pick her up tomorrow!
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 09:38 AM
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Keep in mind that if you exchange, the wheels you trade must be in perfect condition or they will not give you full credit for them. I found that out the hard way when WCC gave me half of my deposit back.
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 09:42 AM
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I just bought a set of chrome wagon wheels - they do have some minor curb rash on one rim - but I paid $450 for the whole set. Unless I tell you which one has the curb rash, and unless you really look for it - you won't see it.

You'll find chrome wagon wheels for sale on the C5 Parts fairly often. I was lucky - I happened to be in Xtreme Motorsports one day, and they had a customer that was getting new Z06 Motorsports in chrome mounted, and happened to be taking off the chrome wagons....

I paid no shipping - just $100 for mounting and balancing. I couldn't be happier! Chrome wagon look awesome against black!
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by blacksedan87
Chrome wagon look awesome against black!
I agree, the larger surface area of the 97-99 OEM wheels in chrome looks great against black. Everybody here hated wagon wheels in the past, but I'm starting to see more and more people that prefer them. I even saw a forum member with a 2000 + car that was considering getting rid of his thin spokes for chrome wagons.

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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 10:14 AM
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You might try looking for a local company so your down time is minimized.
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 11:54 AM
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there is not down time with several exchange programs.. several vendors are doing a chrome exchange.. on 99 C5 wagon wheels..
the cost to you is 550 dollars for all four.. plus shipping.. and a core charge...
they charge your credit card for the core charge shipping and chroming.. they send you four chromed wheels ( no down time..) you then take these wheels and have your old tires and sensors mounted on the chromies.. you put the old wheels in the boxes the new wheels came in and send them back. You have two weeks to compolete this process.. when the vendor gets your wheels he removes the core charge from your credit card.. so there is no down time other than the time it takes you to find someone to mount your tires on the new wheels.. I paid 1200 dollars back in 99 to have my wagons wheels done..and they still look as good as the day I bought them.. I still have them in my garage with a brand new set of Goodyear emt's on them with the sensors..

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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Scratch
The cost to chrome those may be more than buying a used set, maybe here on the Forum. Plus figure the breakdown and re-mount cost also, and time delay.
Used sets are very reasonable now, maybe even some chrome 2K or ZO6 wheels even. (IMO)


with scratch
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 12:31 PM
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Thanks for the heads up, I am looking at the wheel exchange program from WCC. I will have them check my rims before I exchange them, that way I know what kind of money I'm getting back.
I do prefer the larger chromed surface against the black car.
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 12:49 PM
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Showing them your trade in wheels FIRST is a real good idea. Before I traded mine I went into great detail on the phone with WCC about the condition of mine. They told me on two different conversations that there would only be a $100 deduction from my deposit because my wheels were pitted. Then they changed their story after they received them. They said my salesman gave me the wrong information, and I was unsuccessful at having them make good on the transaction. Make sure you get it in writting, as to how much they are going to give you for your trade in wheels.
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 12:52 PM
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I bought an OEM set of wheels that had been chromed from Bob at House of Wheels. I know he does trade-ins. He probably can work something out to chrome your wheels, if you can afford to be without them for a little while.
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 02:04 PM
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Check the forum for sale section......there's two sets of chrome
wagon wheels for sale right now.
Good Luck
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 03:21 PM
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Those wheels look really nice, brings the red out!
I just got off the phone with WCC they can do the whole deal there for me with no down time, 120 for install. thanks.
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 03:37 PM
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I did the WCC exchange just this week. $595 plus r/t shipping was about $765. Add $800 core and you got $1565 and hopefully I'll get the $800 back. It cost me another $150 to get them mounted and took about an hour. (Like going to Lens Crafters.)
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