Sand blasting chrome off wire wheels

[Deleted User]

I have a set of wire wheels that have deteriorated chrome. I want to remove the chrome and paint the wheels for use. What is the best method of getting the existing chrome off the wheels? I have been told that sand blasting is the only method. If so what media should be used ... other suggestions?

Thanks for all assistance.

Unknown

!!YUP!!! That works fine. I did mine 5 years ago. used epoxy primer and ARGENT rustoleum, still look good

Aaron D. IL

There's a chrome paint that acutualy comes out shiny that is 15% cheaper than chrome... forget the name of the company that makes it.

Unknown

What about powder coating or that ceramic coating they use on headers that appears close to chrome. I don't know....is that something that would work on spoke wheels

Unknown

we had a disscussion on that expensive good chrome paint a while back. They used it on that Disney car they built. BUD

Unknown

Heart_Of_Texas wrote:

I have been told that sand blasting is the only method. If so what media should be used ... other suggestions?

If you want the Chrome off entirely, you can use Silicon Carbide at about 90 psi. If you just want to put a tooth on the chrome surface that will take paint, you can use course sand at 90-100 psi, or 70 grit Aluminum Oxide at 60-90psi. If the chrome is not peeling, the later is the best option and the least amount of work.

Richard E.

If you plan on re-chroming them, the chrome shop will dip them for you and strip the chrome off. I did that with the bumpers on my step-down years ago. They had been chromed in Tijuana and it was all peeling off. The black pieces from the grill had also been chromed and the chrome shop stripped those in their tank also so I could re-paint them.

Ol racer

FYI

I suggest sandblasting then Powder Coating. I had my rusted wires blasted and coated by a local 'Perfect Coat' Co. around $50 per wheel and really like the end result. There are many colors to choose from now and powdercoating is far more durable than painting. (Its applied electromagnetically then baked in an oven)

faustmb

I have heard that sand blasting chrome off can cause excessive heat that can affect the structure of the wheel. Chemically removing the existing chrome would be a good option, but I think basting is OK too. A good chrome plater chemically strip it.



There is a "chrome" powdercoat that is used with a second coat of clear on top. It looks excellent and should cost $50-$75 per wheel. It will cost slightly more than a single color, but the clear coat makes it look more like chrome than just silver.

Unknown

You arn't blasting the chrome off, only roughing up the surface, Having the chrome stripped cost's money , you don't need to spend. Like I said I did it 5 years ago and NO PROBLEMS, even after using rustoleum.

Geoff

I have a friend with a sandblasting business, and he says that it is very difficult to blast the chrome without generating lots of heat and sparks. As has been stated, you can rough the surface and paint over it, but there is a slight risk that the chrome will lift underneath at some stage. Doing it in the plating shop is the best option to completely remove the chrome, but the options are outlined here in previouls posts - the choice is yours.

Geoff.