Chrome Wheel repair

[29north]

I found a bubble on the chrome wheel on our Vette. Sooner or later I know it will break. I did a search and got tired of reading, so thought I would ask.
Is there an easy or inexpensive fix for the problem out side of spending $600 for a new rim??????
Thanks in advance.

 

[Joe C]

I found a bubble on the chrome wheel on our Vette. Sooner or later I know it will break. I did a search and got tired of reading, so thought I would ask.
Is there an easy or inexpensive fix for the problem out side of spending $600 for a new rim??????
Thanks in advance.

WOW! good question. i don't know any way of repairing chrome outside of having it stripped and replated. i guess its where the bubble is. is it on the outer wheel or on the barrel? if its a place that doesn't show, i'd break the bubble, clean the surface just up to the edge of the bubble/plating without damaging the surrounding area, and try some chrome paint. now i don't mean some cheap chrome paint you would get at the local discount autoparts store, i mean something like: http://www.alsacorp.com/products/mirrachrome/mirra_prodinfo.htm this stuff is sometimes used to repair or touchup chrome plating. the reflectivity is something like 95%.

you really don't need much, i would think an ounce would do it. this stuff is really high dollar - something like $1K/gallon, but here's a place that sells it by the ounce: http://www.coastairbrush.com/pages/57.html# if its a small enough area, a small brush should do the job. and by all means - keep it waxed/sealed. other than that, i really don't know any other way. hope this helps -

Joe C - 2004 black/mod red z06, 1985 silver/graphite z51 (both daily drivers)

 

[mqqn]

Hi 29north -

I am finding that to re-plate a wheel that is already chromed will cost more than to have a painted or polished wheel chromed.

Apparently it is difficult to get the prior chrome plate off of the wheels....

I recently purchased a set of wheels where the chrome was pitting and coming off is little bubbles - breaks your heart to see that.

You may be able to get one of the bigger players to accept your wheels as a core for an exchange on a new set of OEM chromies.

best regards -

mqqn