How to de-chrome?!?!
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
How to de-chrome?!?!
first this is off-road tech b/c my wheels are on my off-road tires and I use my wheels when i off-road 
ok got that out of the way.
I need/want to get all the chrome off my wheels but I am not sure how to go about it. I think sandblasting it would prolly do the best but that is gonna take FOREVER! I thought about one of those really stout wire wheels for the grinder but I dunno if it would be rough enough. My wheels are rusting a lil bit (surface rust) and I have always wanted another set of black wheels....i just think black would look badarse on a set of large diameter tires! any suggestions would be very appreciated!
I was thinking that I could sandblast the rust off then I could just paint over the chrome with black paint but something tells me that the paint won't last for long! prolly just chip off. Thanx fellas.
-jason-
ok got that out of the way.
I need/want to get all the chrome off my wheels but I am not sure how to go about it. I think sandblasting it would prolly do the best but that is gonna take FOREVER! I thought about one of those really stout wire wheels for the grinder but I dunno if it would be rough enough. My wheels are rusting a lil bit (surface rust) and I have always wanted another set of black wheels....i just think black would look badarse on a set of large diameter tires! any suggestions would be very appreciated!
I was thinking that I could sandblast the rust off then I could just paint over the chrome with black paint but something tells me that the paint won't last for long! prolly just chip off. Thanx fellas.
-jason-
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Houston, Texas
Painting over chrome wont last long at all.....you are right. This isnt the answer you want to hear, but sandblasting is the way to go. Why do you say it will take forever? I sandblast stuff sometimes and it usually doesnt take too long. I even sandblasted the rims for my trailer....I think all 5 took me a few hours.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
yea, but i have a cheapo sand blaster from home depot that cost me $12 and i use play sand. so it goes slow.....it is awesome for nuts and bolts and stuff I want cleaned right then and not have to wait on parts cleaner to take effect. If i could find someone with a nice blasting cabinet i would definitely do it! i figured the paint won't stick well.....i guess i will try it this weekend! thanx
were the wheels on your trailer chrome?
-jason-
were the wheels on your trailer chrome?
-jason-
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,259
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From: Florida Hill Country
Fish,
Aren't your wheels 16.5? Find some sucker that wants Bling wheels and sell him yours and get some Black Rock Crawlers. Hell, sell the poor sap your tires/wheels and get some 16 with IROKS on Black Rock Crawlers.
Other wise, just leave them alone. Otherwise it will be tough to keep them looking good.
Aren't your wheels 16.5? Find some sucker that wants Bling wheels and sell him yours and get some Black Rock Crawlers. Hell, sell the poor sap your tires/wheels and get some 16 with IROKS on Black Rock Crawlers.
Other wise, just leave them alone. Otherwise it will be tough to keep them looking good.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
I was thinking sandblasting is just about your best course too, but maybe the acid-etching primer would help make the job easier?
Yea, I love the blacked out wheel look.
Yea, I love the blacked out wheel look.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
The anti-bling thread. 
I'll have to post some pics of my new setup when I get the second battery done today. Then we can all have a good laugh and wonder how long it will last when I hit the next mudhole. I think painting your own wheels will end up looking like crap due to all the abuse they take. You'd need something tough, like a powder coat to hold up on there. Why not just keep them so covered in mud that you can't see the shine? 
I'll have to post some pics of my new setup when I get the second battery done today. Then we can all have a good laugh and wonder how long it will last when I hit the next mudhole. I think painting your own wheels will end up looking like crap due to all the abuse they take. You'd need something tough, like a powder coat to hold up on there. Why not just keep them so covered in mud that you can't see the shine?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
Yup, I'd say powder coating is the only option that will last any time on rims. I just love powder coating. I really don't like chrome...but I'd p-coat just about everything on my truck if I had my way 
Your putting in a second battery Ivan? Which dual setup did you use? I went with the painless and my starter went from barely turning over the engine to soundling like an impact wrench it spun so quick. Nice!
Your putting in a second battery Ivan? Which dual setup did you use? I went with the painless and my starter went from barely turning over the engine to soundling like an impact wrench it spun so quick. Nice!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: GANS
jason- if you want your wheels done quick and easy, find a local industrial sandblasting place, and have them blast & paint. I had a company local here that sandblasted my whole f-250 frame and painted it with PPG paint (that stuff is actually tougher than powder coat, honest!). They charged me $350 bucks and even unloaded it off the trailer and helped load it back on. (you oughta try picking up an f-250 frame, its a big handful for two people, even when a couple crossmembers are off!)
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
For now I'm just running them parallel. There was an article in one of my 4x4 mags that listed a package from some company for doing duals the way I want them but I can't think of the name off hand.
When I get everything done right it'll be setup so 1 battery handles starter and ignition and the second battery takes care of all of my accessories. The unit I was talking about cuts the power between the two when the ignition is off so if you leave something on you don't kill your running battery. Then, when you start it up and the alternator starts kicking it engages the second battery so it can charge. I installed a 200 amp alternator yesterday to keep up with them. Now I'll be ready for a winch which I can't afford either!
Those 460's are pigs to turn over.
When I get everything done right it'll be setup so 1 battery handles starter and ignition and the second battery takes care of all of my accessories. The unit I was talking about cuts the power between the two when the ignition is off so if you leave something on you don't kill your running battery. Then, when you start it up and the alternator starts kicking it engages the second battery so it can charge. I installed a 200 amp alternator yesterday to keep up with them. Now I'll be ready for a winch which I can't afford either!
Those 460's are pigs to turn over.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Here's my new bling. I expect it to last for maybe a week . . . if I don't have time to hit any mud before then. Do you think acid etch will work on billet aluminum? It sounded like a good idea at the time but now that I think about it there's so much more useful junk I could have bought. Oh well, this is how we learn. I left a spot on the driver's side battery for an 0/1 guage that I will run direct to my winch. Still need to get an isolator but this will get me started. Optima red tops . . . I love 'em!
Passengers's side
Driver's side
Do you think acid etch will work on billet aluminum? It sounded like a good idea at the time but now that I think about it there's so much more useful junk I could have bought. Oh well, this is how we learn. I left a spot on the driver's side battery for an 0/1 guage that I will run direct to my winch. Still need to get an isolator but this will get me started. Optima red tops . . . I love 'em!Passengers's side
Driver's side
Last edited by ivanribic; Apr 10, 2004 at 10:21 PM.