C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Pitted chrome wheels

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 20, 2016 | 07:23 PM
  #1  
VETTEC599's Avatar
VETTEC599
Thread Starter
Racer
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 251
Likes: 9
From: Western Massachusetts
Default Pitted chrome wheels

My '99 FRC came with spoke chrome wheels that were on the car for over 10 years. I am able to detail them to 90% as there is no pitting on the face nor is there any curb rash. My concern is the pitting in the lug nut recesses. I have already purchased new lug nuts and plan to install them as a final step. To make things easier I am doing everything with the wheels off the car. My questions - what can I do to remove as much of the pitting as possible? What should I use? Is there a "tool" that will make the job easier? What should I coat the wheels with as a final step? While the wheels are off the car I also plan to thoroughly clean the tires and inner fender wells. Any thoughts on what to use? To make life easier I have purchased a power washer! Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2016 | 11:38 PM
  #2  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,636
Likes: 24,868
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

I doubt you will be able to remove the pitting yourself.

Here's a post to read on chrome pitting:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...l-pitting.html

For more info to read, try typing in Chrome Wheel Pitting on Google and you'll get some hits.
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2016 | 01:43 AM
  #3  
SG Lou's Avatar
SG Lou
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
Default

These wheels were less then 3 yrs old when i took these pictures. Take a look at the inside of the barrels.
And just in case you ask, yes they always get washed and waxed on the inside...still pitted.

i will NEVER buy from OE Wheels again !









Reply
Old Apr 22, 2016 | 02:12 PM
  #4  
f6john's Avatar
f6john
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
Default

I think the issue with chrome is it is eventually going to pit. I avoid chrome whenever possible.
Reply
Old May 17, 2016 | 07:32 AM
  #5  
2ndLS1's Avatar
2ndLS1
5th Gear
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default

Depends on the surface imperfections, but you can take most surface rust and contamination off of chrome. I did this on my old camaro chrome factory wheels and the results were phenomenal. The recipe is scrub with aluminum foil, using diet cola as soap. Seriously. The aluminum foil is softer metal than the chrome, so doesn't scratch, while the chemistry of the cola helps to break up the contaminants, and it's diet cola because otherwise the sugar makes a sticky mess.

Somewhere I have pics of before and after, but who knows where.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Pitted chrome wheels





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:52 AM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE