Chrome inside wheel barrels
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 657
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Chrome inside wheel barrels
I have a 2012 GS with chrome wheels. I thought I heard once that the gray inside wheel barrels are actually covering up chrome, and GM covers the chrome for maintenance reasons, and you can have the coating removed to expose the chrome. Can anyone confirm or deny this?
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,599
Likes: 962
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I have never heard of a chrome plating company plating the barrels an then covering them up. I think what you heard is most likely incorrect.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 5
From: South Central PA
Here is a thread that shows how to remove the paint and what you see under it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...me-gumbys.html
They do look nice all clean and shiny!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...me-gumbys.html
They do look nice all clean and shiny!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 8
From: Dayton Ohio
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,599
Likes: 962
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I think what you will find if you strip the finish off the barrels, is an aluminum finish, not chrome. Yes once it is striped and cleaned and polished it will look great, but only for a short time. The aluminum will need to be polished frequently as the Chrome on the actual out area with maintain the shine with nothing more then soap and water and wax.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 8
From: Dayton Ohio
Here are some pictures from the thread mentioned above. This is the chrome being exposed just after using paint stripper and nothing else...
Here's the wheel after a quick clean-up (no polishing or elbow grease needed)...
As stated in the thread, this may not be a good mod for someone unless they are willing to maintain the barrels with a good cleaning and polish once or twice a year.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: S. Yarmouth MA.
I did mine a month ago came out great they are even easier to keep clean than the rough gray paint just use chrome polish and 2 coats of a good wax after you strip and clean brake dust wipes right off with a dry towel looks like new again I plan on removing wheels over the winter re-polish and re-wax again they are chrome and look 100% better than the gray paint and are easier to maintain Jack
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
The wheels are immersed in the cleaning and plating solutions with nothing masked off.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
Plus, having a dedicated brush eliminates the risk of toilet gunk on your wheels -- or wheel gunk in your toilet.
Available from many sources, like this: http://www.autogeek.net/ezdebrfca.html
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 22,679
Likes: 1,697
From: South Carolina
A real wheel brush is better. Nice bristles and flexible stem for cleaning around spokes.
Plus, having a dedicated brush eliminates the risk of toilet gunk on your wheels -- or wheel gunk in your toilet.
Available from many sources, like this: http://www.autogeek.net/ezdebrfca.html
Plus, having a dedicated brush eliminates the risk of toilet gunk on your wheels -- or wheel gunk in your toilet.
Available from many sources, like this: http://www.autogeek.net/ezdebrfca.html
I think I got that brush with an order from the Geek. The one I have that looks like that is utterly useless for cleaning as would a toilet brush lol...The bristles are too course and don't hold soap well at all to me.
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 43
From: Choctaw Country
A real wheel brush is better. Nice bristles and flexible stem for cleaning around spokes.
Plus, having a dedicated brush eliminates the risk of toilet gunk on your wheels -- or wheel gunk in your toilet.
Available from many sources, like this: http://www.autogeek.net/ezdebrfca.html
Plus, having a dedicated brush eliminates the risk of toilet gunk on your wheels -- or wheel gunk in your toilet.
Available from many sources, like this: http://www.autogeek.net/ezdebrfca.html
you are correct Sir! It's all I had at the time so I made it work.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 5
From: Nevada
I think what you will find if you strip the finish off the barrels, is an aluminum finish, not chrome. Yes once it is striped and cleaned and polished it will look great, but only for a short time. The aluminum will need to be polished frequently as the Chrome on the actual out area with maintain the shine with nothing more then soap and water and wax.