RAGGDOLL

Excellent write up

I've been meaning to do this, had a general idea but it's nice to draw on actual experience, thanks.

Question though, where do you get aircraft remover and acetone? Why use 2 products, did you mix them?

To add to the cleanliness issue, I think it would be even easier to keep the barrels clean once "chromed" and waxed. Not much would stick to it unlike the painted surface. Plus, I find it ridiculous easy to keep the outside face chrome clean, just wipe with detailer and done. Should be exactly the same with the chrome barrels.

Plus that full chrome look is really nice.

Ed 718

Incredible writeup........looks awesome

Snake.Oiler

very good job. I hope you don't have problems with wheel weights not sticking.

martinf55

How do you take off the A/C remover? Rag or plastic scrapper?

martinf55

Post more pics from different angles. Thanks.

Dave O

Most aftermarket wheels have chrome barrels as well. I have aftermarket spyders and the barrels are chome. No problems with the wheel weights sticking.

RAT

I didn't start off using 2 products. From one of the posts about removing the paint, it was said that acetone was used. I bought the acetone because it was cheaper, only reason. Um, no way in heck are you going to remove that gray paint with acetone. Maybe if you soaked the entire wheel in a bath of acetone for a week it could possibly work. I scrubbed and scrubbed with acetone and nothing came off. Totally useless to use acetone as the main remover of the paint. Acetone did very well help with the clean up after I applied the Aircraft Remover. Without the acetone it would have been a bit more difficult.
I bought both products at the local auto store. Both seem to be easy to get, as I checked every store for the best price and they all had both.
I agree, cleaning chrome is very easy compared to cleaning the gray paint. I'll go this route any day with the chrome cleaning.

GotChrist?

Amazing! I thought the wheel companies where getting cheap and not chroming the inside of the wheels. Hard to believe they would paint over chrome. Chrome is easier to clean and maintain than paint. That's the beauty of it. Chrome can be maintained with Windex. Paint has to be cleaned, polished, and protected from oxidation.


Does this mean that my painted wheels are chromed underneath? What about the painted fiberglass body?

Dave O

The wheels are painted because most people won't spend the time to keep the barrels clean. This in turn could damage the chrome over time. Hence, GM has been painting the barrels of the chrome wheels from day 1, even prior to the gumbys.

The wheels are made out of aluminum, not carbon steel. The last time I checked, aluminum doesn't rust. Nor does chrome plating.

RAT

I shouldn't have any problem. I didn't put any A/C Remover on the weights so I hope they'll hold. I think what you are getting at is that the remover seeped it's way under the weights? If it did and the weights come off then I'll rebalance the wheels.

The A/C Remover was removed with a dry rag only. A soft plastic scraper would work, just didn't have one.

He is correct.

C-INRED

Now that's a huge improvement! Nice job.

I have after market chromed GM wheels (WCC exchange) on my '06. I just use a wheel brush to clean the barrels each time I wash the car. They look great and I've had zero problem with corrosion. The wheels have been on my car for 4-1/2 years and 39,000 miles.

peter pan

If I had factory chrome wheels I would be doing this mod and you have done an awesome job on your wheels

EDinPA

I think the issue is that the weights are stuck on with adhesive and they have been exposed to a strong solvent (aircraft stripper).

One Bad Vette

Outstanding! Looks great! Glad to see someone else as OCD as me lol. The inner barrels of my CCW's are polished so they look the same. Really adds that finishing touch to the wheels.

RAT

He is 100% correct in both paragraphs.

It's so easy to keep chrome wheels clean. A little effort will go a very long way in keeping your car looking great.

Thanks Steve, how is Jeff doing down there in Texas? Or is he back here in Washington??? Maybe I should go to work!

RAGGDOLL

Thanks, clears that up for me completely

Ed 718

That aircraft remover is no joke that stuff will burn your skin if it comes in contact. I used some of this to remove paint before and it will basically start to break the paint immediately.

rwarhol

That's a pretty cool mod, i will be doing that.

EDinPA

All technically true, however aluminum will absolutely oxidize (just like steel) only it's not called 'rust'. And the chrome will blister and flake.


It looks great, just keep them very clean or consider a clear coat.

Cyber2010

Looks great!

Anybody know what the comp grey wheels look like on the barrels when cleaned up? I've never really looked close enough to be able to tell.