Any reason this won’t work?

[apex svt]

I have a set of truck wheels that I really like, but the chrome is starting to flake. One wheel is getting bad, the others have minor pitting. Seeing how they are $500 a wheel with a chance of having the same issue, can they be polished? They are just an aluminum wheel, and where the chrome came off it’s still super smooth.
In my head I’m thinking spend 500-600 bucks have them all stripped/polished. I’d never have to worry about flaking again.
Your thoughts?

 

[HillbillyHotRod]

You could try polishing the flacked area but more will appear. Once the chrome starts to come off it will keep doing so. So if you are going to polish it will be an unending job.

 

[03cobra#694]

You could try polishing the flacked area but more will appear. Once the chrome starts to come off it will keep doing so. So if you are going to polish it will be an unending job.

This

 

[Coiled03]

You could try polishing the flacked area but more will appear. Once the chrome starts to come off it will keep doing so. So if you are going to polish it will be an unending job.

I think he's saying he wants to have them stripped to bare aluminum, and polished.

OP, I don't see why that wouldn't work. I'd only recommend you clear coat them if you go that route.

 

[apex svt]

I think he's saying he wants to have them stripped to bare aluminum, and polished.

OP, I don't see why that wouldn't work. I'd only recommend you clear coat them if you go that route.

This is what I’m after^^^ not a patch job. Only thing I don’t like about coating is it dulls it. I’ve thought about it a few times for my street lites.

 

[BlackHrtStang]

I believe there are shops that do chrome look powder coating now days as well if you like the shine of the chrome.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using the svtperformance.com mobile app

 

[Coiled03]

This is what I’m after^^^ not a patch job. Only thing I don’t like about coating is it dulls it. I’ve thought about it a few times for my street lites.

A legit high temp clear coat shouldn't dull it.

 

[apex svt]

I believe there are shops that do chrome look powder coating now days as well if you like the shine of the chrome.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using the svtperformance.com mobile app

I’ll have to look into that, didn’t know if it would show as good as chrome. Love the chrome look, but if it’s polished it can’t chip, peel, flake, just repolish(more maintenance)

A legit high temp clear coat shouldn't dull it.

Noted, I’m going to look into this for the cobra as well. Is there a terminology you would use when asking coating shops to know if it’s the good stuff?

 

[Coiled03]

Noted, I’m going to look into this for the cobra as well. Is there a terminology you would use when asking coating shops to know if it’s the good stuff?

I've always had good luck with VHT products. But, not being a coating professional, I'm not sure if there are better options. I don't want to lead you the wrong way with a bad recommendation.

I'd probably just talk to the shop and make it very clear to them that it's important the coating not dull the finish.

 

[svtfocus2cobra]

I’ll have to look into that, didn’t know if it would show as good as chrome. Love the chrome look, but if it’s polished it can’t chip, peel, flake, just repolish(more maintenance)



Noted, I’m going to look into this for the cobra as well. Is there a terminology you would use when asking coating shops to know if it’s the good stuff?

You can use actual automotive clear coat for normal paints and it will look better and last longer than normal coatings. That or a Ceramic coating will work best. Clearcoat for paints have the best UV protection you can get basically which from my experience powder coating fails at over time. Get them polished like you said and then find a body shop who can clear coat them. Should be able to scuff and shoot them possibly but there may be a need for an adhesion promoter. I have never just cleared Aluminum wheels but I have painted and cleared them.

 

[HillbillyHotRod]

If you strip and polish coat it with “shine seal”. I used this on my blower and it still looks great.

 

[apex svt]

Thanks for all the input guys. Appreciate it as always.

 

[_Snake_]

I have a feeling it won’t be cost effective to do what you’re thinking. I had 22” Alcoa’s on my F-250 and it would be $200+ to have them polished. I bet you’re looking at $1k minimum, which wouldn’t be worth it IMHO.

 

[GodStang]

I believe there are shops that do chrome look powder coating now days as well if you like the shine of the chrome.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using the svtperformance.com mobile app

I do chrome (Super Chrome) powder coating and no it does not look as good as real chrome.

My cold Air Intake pipe is Powder coated "Super Chrome" the one with the most shine I could find and it just does not have the same pop as real chrome.

 

[GT Premi]

You could try getting them polished then ceramic coated. Then follow the ceramic coat with a good UV protection clear sealant.

 

[RedVenom48]

I have a set of truck wheels that I really like, but the chrome is starting to flake. One wheel is getting bad, the others have minor pitting. Seeing how they are $500 a wheel with a chance of having the same issue, can they be polished? They are just an aluminum wheel, and where the chrome came off it’s still super smooth.
In my head I’m thinking spend 500-600 bucks have them all stripped/polished. I’d never have to worry about flaking again.
Your thoughts?
View attachment 1585312 View attachment 1585313 View attachment 1585314 View attachment 1585315

Starting in 2018, the Lexus LS 500 wheels are "chrome" painted.

Im not sure of the process, but it looks pretty good. please excuse terrible phone pics, lol. Maybe strip wheels and have this process applied?

Someone in the wheel refinishing industry must have more information about it.

 

[bdcardinal]

Starting in 2018, the Lexus LS 500 wheels are "chrome" painted.

View attachment 1585665

View attachment 1585666

Im not sure of the process, but it looks pretty good. please excuse terrible phone pics, lol. Maybe strip wheels and have this process applied?

Someone in the wheel refinishing industry must have more information about it.

Ford does this and it is terrible. The "chrome" flakes off and the only way to fix it is with a new wheel.

 

[RedVenom48]

Ford does this and it is terrible. The "chrome" flakes off and the only way to fix it is with a new wheel.

I dont disagree with you. But, it took Lexus literally since the company's inception to offer factory "chrome" wheels. They have never offered a factory Chrome wheel before. Whatever process they have for this finish was durable enough to put on the flagship.

If it was good enough for Lexus, it will probably be good for OP. The question is really "Can this finish be applied by a wheel shop or paint shop".

Maybe, but maybe not.

 

[apex svt]

The main idea behind having them polished is the durability aspect for me. The worst thing that can happen is that they dull and need shined back up. Even at $1000 im still ahead $1100 and don’t have to worry about the chrome flaking in a few years. Ceramic coating is a thought and I looked a bit into the seal and shine, seems like a reputable product.

@GodStang thats what I was afraid of, the shininess just isn’t there. Looks great in the engine bay though.

To buy new polished wheels that I like are crazy expensive, like American forces.

All great feedback guys

 

[GT Premi]

They have never offered a factory Chrome wheel before.

You must not be familiar with the LS's old models. Tons of those came from Lexus with chrome wheels.