Scratches in Chrome

[dkerchner]

I recently just put my good rims on my car again for the warm months in PA. After putting them on I found scratches all over the chrome surfaces. I have 17" gun metal rims with an outer chrome lip. I think the scratches might have been from leaving them on for a little too long. I think they went through one snow. I think the salt might have ate the chrome. Any ideas how to fix it? Should I just sand the chrome outer part and paint them like a black or a blue that matches my car?

[roadrash]

Have you tried chrome polish, or anything like that? There's bound to be an "over the counter" product that will help, depending on how deep the scratches are, of course.

Painting the lip to match your car would look interesting, but might be just a bit too close to being "ricey."

Personally, I think you should, um... well, read my sig and you'll figure it out. LOL

[dkerchner]

Thanks for the advice. I checked out your sig... I don't have that much money to spend on new wheels which is the reason why I am trying to find a fix for my problem.

[roadrash]

Well, if you actually ARE interested in the wheels... make me an offer. And don't listen to those jerks here who'll tell you that chrome is ugly. LOL

I expect to be on the road again starting in June and the schedule shows several trips to the NE. So, there's potential to deliver the wheels.

But, to get back on topic here....

Could you post a pic or two of the scratches? Someone else might have a better idea what to do about them than me.

[tiFreak]

chrome is ugly

seriously though, I wouldn't just paint over the chrome, the paint doesn't like to stick to such a smooth surface, definitely post pics though, it might give us a better idea of whether or not the finish can be saved

[dkerchner]

I will definitely post some pics this weekend. I'm stuck at school right now and my car is at home.

[dkerchner]

This link here should take you to a couple of pictures.

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/showpho...39&ppuser=4061

[Mr. Crow]

Originally Posted by dkerchner

This link here should take you to a couple of pictures.

http://www.318ti.org/gallery/showpho...39&ppuser=4061

Omg, that is nothing, I've sanded down 3 of my 18" e46 m3 replicas' so far it has taken me about 3 hrs. for one wheel. I hated my chrome wheels so much, i was inspired to do this project.

You can do that in about 20 mins....pure polished look!(no paint) or paint if you choose to. paint will stick just fine....with primer.

Here's what I did.....

First clean your rims.

dry sand them using wet&dry 400 grit paper(it looks black). Sand until you see the crome becoming dull or polished looking. Clean again.

then sand again using wet&dry 1000 grit. to really give your rims a polished look. coat them if you want to.....but I wouldnt.

You may want to spray em with a coat of urethane protectant.

and thats it.

gonna finish up my last wheel today. good luck man.

[Mallard]

yeah, whats happening is the salted water is getting in under the lacqure and reacting with the alu.

theres nothing you can do here sadly apart from the above, or take them for a refurb, which is essentialy the exact same process, just with the addition of clear coating after the rub down.

I wonder if you could ask the supplier/stockist where you bought them to look into a return claim for you , as the wheels shouldnt do this realy , if they are a quality item..

[KarenCaren]

You should paint the chrome. Wet sand it first for the paint to stick. Then put some good clearcoat.


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