Starting the restorationg project on my 300D 82 turbo diesel.
When i got the car it came with 86 mercedes rims and i was wondering if they look better diped in chrome or polished. or i just wanna know which one is better.


Well one thing can you do it?

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OE silver finish looks the best, at least I think so.

I think the OE finish is powder coated.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Wheels are Aluminum , to "Chrome" them would weaken them substantially.
(chroming uses HEAT)

Polished wheels are beautiful, and are somewhat a labor of love (very hand
labor intensive)

I watched someone "polish" Aluminum wheels and it was a 7or9 step process,
at the end he was using talcum powder as an abrasive finishing agent.

But, you could see every feature of your own face,when you looked into the
wheel(s) polished surfaces.

I think the valve cover on the 603 would look really impressive polished, and I've wanted to do it but haven't had the time yet!

My opinion of chromed wheels, if you could chrome them, would make the benz look like a pimpmobile!

Polishing aluminum is a wast of time. Aluminum protects itself by corroding slightly it gives it that dull aluminum look. If you polish aluminum you would have to keep it dry and wax it all of the time. Chances are it will probably still tarnish.

To protect it better spraying clear coat or anodizing it is the best solution.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Don't chrome them, the wheels on my car are chrome and it's starting to peel. Doesn't look real bad but I wish they were normal wheels. I think there was an option for chrome wheels some years, maybe for SD's?

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

My 82 300D has chrome 15" rims on it, they look nice. I think they came chromed from the factory. I saw a 107 with 14" bundts, chromed from the factory.
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Chrome is nice, but i'd stick to the aluminum, you'll have to polish them alot.

Forget about the chrome. You are not going to get any durability of a chrome finish unless you pay a fortune to have it done right (about $300. per).

You can consider polish, if you want a maintenance nightmare.

But, I have taken the route of painting them. I used the spray paint in a can from Z1 and the results are quite good. If you get up close you can definitely tell that the finish is not professional.

When I do it again, I might try to get an airbrush and use a paint that is commercially available in quarts.