Buffalo

I have seen the stock Fuchs wheels partially chromed on other Porsches. Does anyone have any experience in having this done to the stock black wheels where the exposed part of the spoke and outside of the rim are chromed with the black remaining on the balance of the wheel?

Bill Gregory

FWIW, there have been discussions on the email lists that suggest the chroming process weakens the Fuchs wheel.

Mrdi

Aluminum doesn't seem to last long when chromed. Initially it seems ok, but pitting occurs as oxidation takes place beneath the chrome and shows up as pits in the chrome, small but ugly.)Polish and paint, clearcoat the polished aluninum. NOT chrome.

Martin S.

Mr. Buffalo,

As was indicated above, the word on the street is that Fuchs wheels may be weakened by chroming. This may also be an "old wives tale". However, I choose to believe it.

In contrast to chrome, the other approach that I have used is to have the wheels polished, powder coated black where appropriate, and then clear coat powder coat the entire wheel. I did this on my 80 SC. Not only did they look great, maintenance went to near 0.

If this is this is something you may want to do, or look in to, contact Al Reed at Al Reed Polishing in Anaheim, CA @ +1 (714) 632-3907. Ask for the Feather Merchants Discount. This is a special deal for Rennlisters. Tell Al I sent you.

Martin

Buffalo

Thanks for the info on the wheels. I have approx 5000-7000 miles left on this set of tires and then I will have to make a move on the wheels. What was the approx cost of polishing? How do you think they would look if the entire wheel was polished with no black?

Regards

George 911-V8

Buffalo: I have a set of Ruf speedline 17" wheels that are chromed. Ruf said don't get them chromed. But polished just does not have that same look plus a lot of high maintance to keep up been there done that before. It just matters what look you like.
SWAMP MONSTER

richard glickel

Buffalo,

Forget chroming. Earlier this year I had my 7x16 & 8x16 Fuchs refinished by Wheel Enhancement (in California). They call this finish "rough & clear". The rims are bright, so are the high-points on the spokes, the rest of the wheel is a dull silver to contrast the brightly finished parts of the wheel.

The wheels turned out beautiful and I continue to receive compliments on the look (in the Porsche corral at last month's Rennsport Reunion, several fellow enthusiasts asked about the wheels).

If you go to the Rennlist homepage and click on the rennsport reunion pictures you will find a two shots of my red carrera parked in the corral that show the wheels somewhat (a full side view would be better).

The cost to refinish my wheels, including purchasing new matching lugs, center caps and locks, was just under $1000.

Good luck.

Richard
'87 Carrera

JackOlsen

Polished looks like chrome to the casual (and untrained) observer. Al Reed is the smart way to do it. $50/wheel, polished and painted.

Steve, 914 guy

I like the full polished w/ no black look, on dark colored cars that are non-stock appearing in other ways also, ie spoilers, tinted windows, etc.
Idon't think that they look good on silver, lt. blue, or other light colors except white.