To Chrome or not to Chrome?
#1
Racer
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To Chrome or not to Chrome?
That is the question....
Anyways i was wondering, my wheels are pretty beat up. Tons of scratches weather damage, salt corrosion so on and so forth. Here is how the magnesium rim looked when it was semi-good condition.
If you want a close up look click HERE White951 is hosting my pics on his website plus tons more if you get some free time.
Now they look nothing like that. Anyways, i was wondering should i just send them to get re-finished (sand blasted and cleaned) Or should i send them to get chromed? The only issue i have is my rims are worth 6k canadian because they are magnesium and thusly are very lightweight. Getting them chromed would add lots of weight.
My question to you guys is should i go for the looks and get them chromed and worry about weight by adding more performance parts later down the road? Or send them out to get re-finished? Also which would cost more, if you can be specific on the pricing im totaly new to this area that would help out tons.
Anyways i was wondering, my wheels are pretty beat up. Tons of scratches weather damage, salt corrosion so on and so forth. Here is how the magnesium rim looked when it was semi-good condition.
If you want a close up look click HERE White951 is hosting my pics on his website plus tons more if you get some free time.
Now they look nothing like that. Anyways, i was wondering should i just send them to get re-finished (sand blasted and cleaned) Or should i send them to get chromed? The only issue i have is my rims are worth 6k canadian because they are magnesium and thusly are very lightweight. Getting them chromed would add lots of weight.
My question to you guys is should i go for the looks and get them chromed and worry about weight by adding more performance parts later down the road? Or send them out to get re-finished? Also which would cost more, if you can be specific on the pricing im totaly new to this area that would help out tons.
#4
Hey Man
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Polish the rims and paint or PC the magnesium centers. The magnesium will oxidize incredibly fast after abrasive blasting and need to be quickly seal coated, especially if you live around road salts or coastal areas.
#5
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Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile
Chrome is for harleys, ricers, H2s, and rustangs. None of which I like.
Originally Posted by TurboX
refinished but not chromed... no chrome
what about my chrome cup 1's
BTW turboX the silver mille miglia I was selling to you suddenly went up in price.
#6
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Chrome is okay, I have silver wheels in all my cars, but I changed my 951 cup 1 wheels to chrome and I like it. That's because I am a cholo low rider, sup homies. Seriously I loved the chromed fuchs on my 944 n/a they were such a beautiful wheels.
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#8
Racer
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Well see, thats the thing. I am thinking functional. Polished Chrome is 10 times easier to clean then mag wheels. I had to use a 3M abbrasive pad and a drill to try and clean my rims. It does the job but it takes about no kidding 2 hours per wheel. That is just stupid. With chrome just get the off-the-sheft cleaner, spray it on, hose it off and work over with a towel... Also the wieght i gain will be balanced out because i have no interior its stripped so yea.
Also opinions aside how much does each cost. I figure to re-furnish a mag wheel get it properly sealed would be about the same as just sending them out to get chromed plus i think it would look really good because of my deep dish wheels. BTW the center of the rims are already powder coated but they have huge chips in the powder coat.
As for ricers having chrome wheels well lets just say i already have "fake" vents and a wide-body kit for which i get enough flame from the hardcore-keep-it-clean-fanatics. I myself like tasteful modifications and would prefer my "fake" vents gone but the bodykit i loven no matter what anyone says. A pair of chrome rims would not upset me either. The only thing stopping me is the price!
Also opinions aside how much does each cost. I figure to re-furnish a mag wheel get it properly sealed would be about the same as just sending them out to get chromed plus i think it would look really good because of my deep dish wheels. BTW the center of the rims are already powder coated but they have huge chips in the powder coat.
As for ricers having chrome wheels well lets just say i already have "fake" vents and a wide-body kit for which i get enough flame from the hardcore-keep-it-clean-fanatics. I myself like tasteful modifications and would prefer my "fake" vents gone but the bodykit i loven no matter what anyone says. A pair of chrome rims would not upset me either. The only thing stopping me is the price!
#10
Hey Man
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Just to let you know, magnesium cannot be chrome plated. Anodizing doesn't work either. Polishing needs to be sealed but will not last very long. You really need to get them powder coated or apply several coats of urethane with a zinc chromate primer done first. Look at the valve covers on DOHC 944's that were magnesium, if you don't keep the coating sealed and in good shape they will start to display self-consumption at every flaw in the coating. Magnesium is light but it absolutely hates moisture in any form.
#11
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Originally Posted by TurboX
Lart are you serious?
Chrome is a cali thing not a Connecticut thing
Chrome is a cali thing not a Connecticut thing
I went and put my silver cup 1's back in the car look"
Hey Ian, btw if you still interested in wheels, I have some chrome mille miglia cup 1 17" for sale.
Down with the haters.
#14
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IMHO, polished alloy looks better than chrome. I agree with polishing the mag wheel and then powder coat sealing it. Celebrate the material of the wheel, don't hide it. Real three piece mag alloy wheels are rare and expen$ive, flauntem!
#15
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my white, 86 has chrome 5 spoke momo wheels, and I like them just fine, and they get quite a few compliments from strangers. It is a matter of personal preference. You can't please everyone, might as well please yourself.