Black Chrome Wheels

[Chris Kennedy]

Hi!

I have a question, but let me explain first: My '89 Ebay rat currently has the black ZR-1 style wheels with silver rim sold by AFS wheels. While they are a tremendous improvement over the standard wheels, there is something about the silver rim which doesn't quite work visually for me and has bothered me over the last year and a half. For some reason I have thought all-black would look better (I am a monument to bad taste, according to my father). So, about a week ago I pulled the rat out into the sun and, as an experiment, put some black electrical tape over the silver parts of the wheels on one side of the car! Others might laugh at this, but I'm sure everyone on this Forum completely understands. Anyway, I really prefer the look, and have been looking at some of those new AFS "black chrome" ZR-1 style wheels that are available (if I can get the money together). I also investigated getting the existing wheels painted, but here in Houston the prices to do this are absolutely bonkers---can't believe it; it's cheaper to buy new wheels and sell the old ones. Anyway, are there any tips or any advice people can give me on these "black chrome" wheels---I presume they are shiney black, but are there any issues or downsides people know of? Oh, by the way, if I get new wheels and anyone wants to buy the old ones, please let me know.

Cheers,

/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[Ghost~3~]

Well I've SEEN the "Black Chrome" wheel's at the GoodGuy's show here last weekend....I like Em....It's more a personal "Taste" thing I guess???

Can't speak for any "Problem's" with the Black Chrome wheel's???

I want to put on the wheel's you HAVE on your Vette from AFS, But mine's
an '87, and your wheel's won't work with my car, interferance issue's with
wheel's made for 88's, and Later model year's. ad

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thanks for your reply! Sorry about the different offsets between your wheels and mine ( mine I think are 56mm). The wheels I bought are in town, according to UPS, so I'll probably get them delivered/put on tomorrow or Wednesday. I have my fingers crossed I will like them, but the AFS pictures looked good, as did my experiment with the electrical tape! I see you're from So. San Francisco...I lived in S.F. a couple of years---do you know Sean and Wendy at Ken's Wheel Service on Harrison St.?

Cheers,

/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[Ghost~3~]

No....I'm afraid I, don't know the folk's your talking about....But I KNOW where the shop is! as I worked up that way many Moon's ago turning
wrench's!

Yeah that was a slick 'trick" with the tape to get some kinda "Visual"
on what you want for your vette!

Hope the wheel's work out OK for Ya!!

If ya can, post some pic's of it when ya get 'em mounted up so I
can take a peek! :L

 

[Chris Kennedy]

O.K. Once I figure out how to do it I will post some pictures. Sean and Wendy own and run the shop, which works on Corvettes----WONDERFUL people. Drop by some time and say hello for me, too.

Cheers,

/s/ Chris

 

[Ghost~3~]

So they work on Vette's...Alway's HANDY to know....Just in CASE!

I work for Oakland PD on the Cop Car's for a Livin'!

If I get by that way I'll give 'em a Howdy for ya...

 

[Chris Kennedy]

So they work on Vette's...Alway's HANDY to know....Just in CASE!

I work for Oakland PD on the Cop Car's for a Livin'!

If I get by that way I'll give 'em a Howdy for ya...

Terrific! I think they will be moving their shop several blocks away from Harrison Street in the next several months, but not far (still in the city), and they are definately worth taking your car to for service. I'm actually trying to get myself to San Diego, so things are jumpin'.

Cheers,

/s/ Chris

 

[vee93]

The only downside I can envision with the all black chrome wheels is if they get chipped by road debris or marked during a cleaning accident, it'll be pretty dang noticeable.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

The only downside I can envision with the all black chrome wheels is if they get chipped by road debris or marked during a cleaning accident, it'll be pretty dang noticeable.

Well, let me update everyone on this project: The wheels arrived last Tuesday, and when I went to the Discount Tire outlet (where I had them sent) they were a huge dissapointment. I can't figure out whether I got a defective set or not, but the finish was nothing like I expected. It's very difficult to describe, but I expected an ultra-shiney dark dark gray to black. Instead, it was an ultra-shiney slightly grayish/blueish silver---sort of like a cheap pair of mirrored sunglasses is the best description. It looks absolutely nothing like the wheel shade on the AFS website. The AFS people were great when I told them I was sending them back, and they suggested I doublecheck them in a different, natural light etc etc. I did, the next morning, and they were even worse. Anyway, as I said, perhaps I got a defective set, and the AFS folks were incredibly accommodating. So, don't let this experience stop anyone from dealing with them. Now, in the meantime, I located a set of Z06 (the C5 version) style wheels in ALL jet black powdercoat. By all black I mean ALL black---no silver rim, as that silver rim is what I found so jarring on the ZR1 style wheels, even the narrow rim of silver on the original Grand Sport wheels. Before I got my ZR1s, this ZO6 style wheel had been a second choice, but it wasn't available in all black, either, at that time, and while I would prefer the ZR1 in all black, I think these ZO6 style wheels in all black will be great (especially since The RAT is very dark gray to black, itself). So....I will let everyone know how THIS new experiment works out, as the wheels should be here next week
Cheers,

/s/ Chris

 

[jrzvette]

I think you might have misunderstood what Black Chrome is. It is not black at all (like the Grand Sport wheels) but a dark grayish hue, compared to a silver look on a chrome wheel. If you're near a Movado watch store they've come out with a new watch in black stainless steel which looks pretty much like black chrome. You're fortunate you were dealing with a reputable supplier. AFS could have told you there was nothing defective with the wheels and the sale was final.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

I think you might have misunderstood what Black Chrome is. It is not black at all (like the Grand Sport wheels) but a dark grayish hue, compared to a silver look on a chrome wheel. If you're near a Movado watch store they've come out with a new watch in black stainless steel which looks pretty much like black chrome. You're fortunate you were dealing with a reputable supplier. AFS could have told you there was nothing defective with the wheels and the sale was final.

If the finish on the wheels was, in fact, o.k., you're exactly right about my not understanding what black chrome was. It looks nothing like the way it appears in the Ebay AFS auctions pictures. I have to tell you it was really awful looking to me----like Yuck (in valleygirl-ese)!! The wheels are due to be delivered to AFS today, so I'll let people know what they say. In the meantime, I have ordered some Z06 style (C5 era) wheels in guaranteed ALL black (real black) powdercoat---no silver anywhere according to both pictures and discussions with seller. This style was a second choice long ago before I got the ZR1s. I have seen some smaller sportscars with these all black wheels, and really like the look. Sort of "boy racer". We'll see, and I will keep people posted.

Cheers,

/s/ Chris

 

[Chris Kennedy]

An update: First, AFS refunded the money for the black chrome wheels so all is fine on that score. Very good people at AFS---even though I didn't like their black chrome wheels the company, itself, is superb. I ran some of their black Zr1 style wheels without problems for about a year and a half, and almost 15,000 miles.

Yesterday, the all-black (and I mean ALL black) C5 Style ZO6 wheels arrived, I had them put on, and I think they look magnificent---they give the car a mean and serious look, especially since it's that ultra-dark gray color made in '89 (I re-did the interior in black with a combination of new/used stuff). Then again, The Rat was no delicate beauty to begin with given it's background. It sort of looks like you went to a track event, and decided to keep your black track wheels and tires on when you drove home. Very boy racer; the numbers/originality crowd will puke. I'll post a photo as soon as I can figure out how to do it. These are the only Corvette wheels I have been able to find that are all black, without a silver rim or something similar. They look fine, fit fine and seem to be true and straight (I drove the car up to about 85 mph on a brief test run). We'll see how they do over the next few days.

Cheers,

/s/ Chris

 

[GuyzVette]

Cannot wait. I love black rims. I wanna do it but everyone says that I need to go chrome. I like the dark mysterious look.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Cannot wait. I love black rims. I wanna do it but everyone says that I need to go chrome. I like the dark mysterious look.

I really love the look, but realize it's not to everyone's taste. People kept giving me suggestions and "you gottas" as well, but when it comes to cars I find that I get incredibly picky. It simple HAS to satisfy me, and when there is something that just bothers me or doesn't seem quite right (e.g., the jarring silver rim on the other wheels) it's something I just need to correct. I and will get to work on learning how to post pictures! If anyone has some quick instructions please let me know.

Cheers,

/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[WhiteKnight]

Best quick instructions for posting pics

Hey Chris.. would really love to see pics of your vette.

Andre (Evolution1980)has the best directions I have seen for posting pics in the help and feedback section. Click here for the eaxct post.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Hey Chris.. would really love to see pics of your vette.

Andre (Evolution1980)has the best directions I have seen for posting pics in the help and feedback section. Click here for the eaxct post.

TEST MESSAGE!!

O.K., I may have figured out how to attach a photo. This is a test message, and I hope that I have attached a photo of one of the original cuisinart/saw blade wheels on the car (I sold these awhile ago on Ebay and still have the pictures on my computer --I have always hated them). If it works, I'll take pictures of the car with the all black Z06 style wheels and forward it later in the week, and also pictures with the AFS black with silver rim (which I replaced with the all black Z06s).
Here goes: [Don't laugh if it doesn't work and I accidentally have attached porno] /s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[WhiteKnight]

Looks like you are trying to link to a pic that is on your hard drive. You will need to have it on a public hosting site before you can link to it, as we will not have access to you hard drive. Use the picture icon to add the URL once you know it. It will post as a picture within the text. Like this one of my 4 year old going for a ride on his b-day.

You can also upload a pic to the CAC site using the paperclip icon when posting, but there are size limits and it displays as a thumbnail in the post. Once you upload the pic you have to click the paper clip again and it will allow you to access the file you uploaded.
View attachment 11236

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Looks like you are trying to link to a pic that is on your hard drive. You will need to have it on a public hosting site before you can link to it, as we will not have access to you hard drive. Use the picture icon to add the URL once you know it. It will post as a picture within the text. Like this one of my 4 year old going for a ride on his b-day.

You can also upload a pic to the CAC site using the paperclip icon when posting, but there are size limits and it displays as a thumbnail in the post. Once you upload the pic you have to click the paper clip again and it will allow you to access the file you uploaded.
View attachment 11236

MANY MANY thanks for your patience---as a boss of mine once said, "Chris, if all else fails read the instructions!". After all this people probably won't like the way the all blacks look!! I like the picture of you and your son---tell him he's got good taste in cars.

Cheers,

/s/ Chris

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Here goes, apologies for the crummy camera and weather:

 

[Mr. Lucky]

You inserted the image link correctly, but it's still not visible. From the Flickr FAQ:

"Link back to Flickr when you post your photos elsewhere. The Flickr service makes it possible to post images hosted on Flickr to outside websites. However, pages on other websites that display images hosted on flickr.com must provide a link back to Flickr from each photo to its photo page on Flickr."​

IOW, you can't do what you are trying to do. You'll need to find another place to host your image files if you want them to show up here.