GS300Rich

Does anyone know if it is possible to take a chrome wheel and make it say gunmetal? I dont know if it is possible to do this and was wondering if it is possible and how much it would cost to do this.

SoCalSC4

The chrome will need chemical stripping- not pretty! My guess would be about $75 per wheel for chrome stripping and about another $70-$90 per wheel for preparation and painting. You might be better off to sell the chrome wheels and start over... depends on what the wheels were worth when new.

Most shops that paint wheels don't strip chrome, so this part is outsourced to a chrome specialist.
Likewise, most shops that do chroming don't do painting.

GS300Rich

Thanks for the reply. What would the length of time be for the complete job? So it should run around $700 or so for the whole job? Is there a way to do just part of the wheel if it isnt a 2 piece of 3 piece wheel? What other finishes would they be able to do and what is the reliability of something like this? I only ask because you seem to know what you are talking about, as you are an HRE wheelmaker. Thanks for any help.

Rich

SoCalSC4

Hey Rich,

Sending a part out for chrome stripping often seems like sending it into a black hole- we've had stuff take one to two weeks just for stripping! The painting part is pretty easy, depending on how busy the shop is... I'd say the whole job should take 2-3 weeks total.

Are you trying to get a chrome lip.gunmetal center type of look? This is difficult to achieve, as you can't really keep the chrome off of the portions you want to have painted- paint doesn't stick to chrome very well at all!

You could probably have the outer potion of the wheel polished, then have the center portion painted- we've done this sort of thing for customers who (for example) want polished wheel spokes with the sides of the spokes a contrasting color. It's totally doable, but it helps if there is a natural contour that defines where the polished and painted areas will meet. After all, someone is going need to mask the polished areas...

Most shops can do custom colors, charcoal/gunmetal, black, etc., and it's easiest to contrast this with a brushed or polished area on the lip or outside diameter of the wheel. Can you give me a better idea of the look you are trying to achieve?

-Bob

GS300Rich

I was thinking of the chrome lip with the spokes in maybe a gunmetal, or just something that isnt so chrome. I was just kinda throwing the idea around as I am strongly considering getting some Work Equips. I have polished wheels on my durango and just hate that finish, of course they were not clear coated. I just really like the look of the silver or gunmetal on a silver car.

LS4fun

I think you're looking at possibly slightly more then $700 for the job.

A couple of things....are the wheels three pieces?

Dissassembly and reassembly is not cheap and should only be done by shops that know what the hell they are doing.

GS300Rich

Unfortunately my wheels are a one piece. I am strongly considering some WORK wheels. I was just throwing around some ideas to see what my options were.