Just wondering you guys know how it would be done and where I can go about paint 19" Chrome wheels (Lowenhart) because of the rims costing about 5 grand... I would like this done profesionally.

Does anybody know if its possible to get rid of the chrome and change the color to lets say gunmetal?

What is under the chrome plating?
Do you know of anyone ever doing this?

any suggestions are welcome... besides the smart *** ones

Thanks,
Patrick

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EM2RidinClean &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just wondering you guys know how it would be done and where I can go about paint 19" Chrome wheels (Lowenhart) because of the rims costing about 5 grand... I would like this done profesionally.

Does anybody know if its possible to get rid of the chrome and change the color to lets say gunmetal?

What is under the chrome plating?
Do you know of anyone ever doing this?

any suggestions are welcome... besides the smart *** ones

Thanks,
Patrick</TD></TR></TABLE>

Um, before I try and answer, I need to say it. I think you're a fool for wanting to modify wheels like this. Chrome is a great way to protect show wheels, when you don't care about weight or strength. With that out of the way...

Chrome is put on wheels through electroplating. http://www.finishing.com/faqs/howworks.html

Now, since its just metal attached to the original metal of the wheel, you can remove it. I have used a wire wheel in an electric drill to remove chrome that was already starting to come off old bumpers. Its a very tedious process, and you don't exactly have a smooth surface afterwards. On bumpers anyway, it tends to flake off.

If you really want to change the look of the wheels, I would recommend you try painting over the chrome. Seriously, use a translucent paint, so you get the reflective nature of the chrome but with coloration. Somewhat similar to a "candy coated" car paint. A translucent black would look incredible, imo. Alternative solution would be to powder coat the wheel. That process, I don't know much about, except that they bake the coating onto the metal. So you'll have to ask a professional if it can be done on top of chrome.

And no, I have never heard of anyone ever wanting to remove the chrome from a wheel, though I have certainly heard of people wishing that painted wheels came in chrome.