FiveElements

I have the opportunity to get some free services from Pacific Rim. I'm designing their new website, in return they are fixing up my old 17" Cup II wheels. The rears are in fair shape but the fronts are a bit scratched from curb rash.

So the question is... what is going to hold more value on my car... restoring the rims to original paint and clear coat or having them black chrome all 4 wheels?

Keep in mind, Pacific Rim does the black chrome for Fisker Karma and Tesla cars, so they will do an awesome job. I plan to have them do my intake and cam covers with black chrome later. https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/popcorn.gif

Eplebnista

Your car, your choice. My vote would be for paint. I have been told plating can weaken a wheel depending on the wheel and the process. Nissan had some Z car wheels fail in Calif several years ago after the dealers sent painted alloys out to be chromed to help move the cars...

77tony

This looks superb. T

Dave928S

My vote is to stick with factory finish for genuine factory wheels.

Here are some pics of one of a set of Cup 2's I've had refinished. Yours are Cup 1's BTW.

If extra effort is taken on preparation the results can be better than factory.

SMTCapeCod

Neither, powder coat! Consider stock or grey for centers with a polished lip, perhaps. But PC will be far more durable than paint. Some may caution regarding temperature, fatigue and etc- hopefully the firm has a handle on that.

Boo for chrome, YMMV.

SeanR

Have them finish the centers in body color while keeping the lip the factory finish.

Stromius

I bought chromed 993 twists not knowing chrome would deteriorate in the tire and cause leaks. Vote for stock finish.

FiveElements

Dang... seems chrome is out and not reliable. I never liked it much myself. Kind of getto. What about on engine covers? Power coat those too???

GeorgeM

plus... painted wheels are much easier to repair if you have a mishap.

polecat702

Because of the toxic waste problems, real chrome plating is almost a thing of the past. It's more like powder coating now. I'd keep the factory finish myself.