Need help, Chroming my style 132 rims

[ArmyX5]

Hey guys,

I need some help or advise on the best option to chrome my style 132 rims. I read in a thread that it will be not smart to do it but, I already started before I read that threat, no turning back. I sanded one of my rims already and it took me two days, see picture below. What I want to know is if there is a product out there that can make the chrome looks better. I am using a Dupli-Color chrome kit. Let me know what you think about this Mod. It will take me about a week to finish, maybe more.

[jst2878]

WTF!!! DUplicolor! The only way is to get them triple coated chrome by a factory that specializes in this. thumbs up for the enthusiasm but I dont think your quite capable to get the results you desire. look into shops around your area and take the tires off the rims.

[motordavid]

Everyone has their own bag, but what a strange "mod" for a fine set of wheels, imo.

As Justin suggested, a decent chrome plater is simply not that expensive...
"Chrome" is an electrochemical process, not found in a kit. The buffing/polishing step is
as important as the chemical bath steps and the finishing work.
Good Luck on the "home chrome" job...
Yes, you may be able to "turn back" or fix your wheels, at a quality finishing join.

A couple of sites that explain the "chrome" process:
http://www.verneschromeplating.com/chrome-plating.html

http://freepages.pavilion.net/nickfull/chrome.htm

[powers1]

Hi ArmyX5,
I take my hat off to you for trying to acomplish such a long and patient job.
Since you already started on a wheel,although from the last photo you posted, its difficult to see exactly where you sanded it!
You say you want to chrome this,but as already explained to you chrome is an electrochemical process and you will never achieve even the slighest resemblance by spraying it.

I dont know if this helps you ,but its worth a shot!I have polished quite a number of rims before,and since you already sanded down one wheel,you have done the hard work already,so why dont you polish it ?
If you sanded the wheel down to the bare aluminium,for it to be prepared to be polished with white polishing compound soap,you just need to ensure that the wheel surface is free of scratches made by sanding.I always use wet sand paper 500,800,1200,1500 after the dry sand paper.You will get a perfect base for polishing..
Contrary to what many say(who probably never done it,just read it on Forums) ,after polishing ,your wheel will not corrode and you can use normal car wax on it to protect it ,then once a year or so,just to take the grime off just use a normal metal polisher(like autosol) and your wheel is new again.
Like I said its a very patient job,and may take you 1-2 weeks but the end result is gratifying

[ArmyX5]

Thanks guy for a quick reply. POWERS1, that is exacly what I wanted to do. I just need to buy the extra fine paper. Also, the rims them self have this small grooves all over. They are going to be a pain to sand off.

[chefwong]

FYI - Chrome plating weakens wheels FWIW

[ArmyX5]

What do you mean? I just want to polish the wheels up natural aluminum and put a clear coat on it. Will do weakens the wheels?

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by ArmyX5

What do you mean? I just want to polish the wheels up natural aluminum and put a clear coat on it. Will do weakens the wheels?

From your orig post, you said you were going to "chrome" your wheels with the Duplicolor kit...

Real "chrome" plating, usually a layer of Cu/Ni/Cr can have considerable
effect on certain cast and aluminum alloy/light alloy wheels.

What was wrong with the original painted and clear coated finish on
your 132s?

[chefwong]

Weaking meant: chrome plating...



Removing Paint, wetsand, polish, etc is doable....but I can only imagine the time required to do it.....Not saying it can't be done, as anything can be done with time, but given the choice, I would just find a local bikehead to do it for $$

[powers1]

Originally Posted by ArmyX5

Thanks guy for a quick reply. POWERS1, that is exacly what I wanted to do. I just need to buy the extra fine paper. Also, the rims them self have this small grooves all over. They are going to be a pain to sand off.

The other advantage of polished wheels ,is that if you kerb them or hit them on a pavement(not sure if kerb is an american word,someone here already questioned me on it!)...you dont have to spray them!Just sand it off and polish it again.

You can get all small grooves out with a round orbital polisher.You can just eat away at the aluminium as it is soft!If its a small groove,you will hardly notice it after polishing.
Just finish you sanding off with wet paper ,because this will remove the scratches..and the smoother and scratch free you get the surface,the better the polishing will come out.
A good tip before polishing...warm the wheel surface with a hairdrier before,as this will give you a brighter finish and easier polishing..
Anything else,just ask...
Good luck mate!