Chroming wheels

[Wolf-Strong]

Alright, so made a few phone calls getting pricing and quickly realized that traditional chroming here in CA is amazingly expensive (~$200/wheel), and places that do it are few and far in-between. My question is for those down here in SoCal; I happened to watch a video from Jay Leno's Garage a while ago about spray on chroming, which would be just fine for me. Supposedly much cheaper, and just as reliable. Does anyone know any places that do this? I've tried doing some searches and have come up empty handed.

So yeah, can any recommend a place that can do this alternative form of chroming down here in SoCal? (mainly to keep costs down)

[bmrfan]

Re: Chroming wheels

For my day job, I've investigated spray-on "Chrome" from 3 different equipment & process suppliers.

Basically, the process is a variation of mirror silvering - a delicate Silver coating is spray-applied to a "prepped" smooth surface and then a clear coat is applied on top of the silver coating. The clear coat (typically liquid NOT powder coating) is what provides durability.

Unclear whether or not the spray-on "chrome" actually has the durability of a correctly applied chrome plating.

[Wolf-Strong]

Re: Chroming wheels

Well where I am at is I have a set of factory BMW wheels that have a bare aluminum lip. I know this for sure because I stripped the coating off in the attempt to polish it, but quickly realized just how much work this would entitle not only to get to a good shine, but to maintain. I then decided chroming would achieve the results I am looking for, but then that went out the door when I realized how expensive it is here in CA. So now, I am looking at other options that will produce the same result. Now obviously I am willing to put in some work to maintain the finish, so durability isn't TOO big of an issue if we are talking against neglect as my wheels almost never get too dirty. The main problem here is simply cost and being easier to maintain then polished aluminum.

FYI: These are what the wheels look like right now, all torn apart:


And this is what I aim to achieve, though the center piece will be a darker, graphite color:

[Malo83]

Re: Chroming wheels

Did you try these guys?

http://calchrome.com/index.php

[Wolf-Strong]

Re: Chroming wheels

Did you try these guys?
http://calchrome.com/index.php

Little too far

I'm down in Del Mar!

[bmrfan]

Re: Chroming wheels

Malo83 - thanks for the info on Calchrome.com. Their website seems to show the correct process steps for chrome plating.

Wolf-Strong - have you considered having the barrels (rims) polished / buffed and then clear coated (liquid or powder)?

[Wolf-Strong]

Re: Chroming wheels

Malo83 - thanks for the info on Calchrome.com. Their website seems to show the correct process steps for chrome plating.

Wolf-Strong - have you considered having the barrels (rims) polished / buffed and then clear coated (liquid or powder)?

Well that was my original intention, but it is just SOOO much work to do this myself, that I started to consider other options. If you mean have other people do it, then yes I am more than open if there is someone who actually does that for under my budget of $300.

[dieselracer]

Re: Chroming wheels

We used OEM Rims, chrome exchange on my brother Gto. You should call them or Email them, see if they have your wheel in stock..

OEMRIMS.com

[Wolf-Strong]

Re: Chroming wheels

We used OEM Rims, chrome exchange on my brother Gto. You should call them or Email them, see if they have your wheel in stock..

OEMRIMS.com

Just sent them an email; we shall see what they say.