Is it possible to chrome 14" alloy RIMS?

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MB 72 250 M130.923 114.011 170k The Beauty

I'll answer my own question here.. I'm pretty sur ethis is possible. I looked up some chroming services and I'm goign to call them and see what it would cost.

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MB 72 250 M130.923 114.011 170k The Beauty

I see you live in L.A. Globe Tire has a good exchange program for chrome rims, and they use a company that does it correct, they last. I had some put on new by the MB dealer and they peeled in six months. Most dealers now use Globe for their chrome. Just make sure you keep them clean, brake dust will eat through the chrome. Ed

Thanks for the tip.. they did not come up in my search but I will definately give them a call.

I haven't installed them yet but I had allready bought these brake dust guards that you put on the inside of the wheel. My front wheels are allways almost blackened with brake dust.. so hopefully these things work.

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MB 72 250 M130.923 114.011 170k The Beauty

I used the dust guards for a couple of years, and they worked fine, no rotor warping. However, my MB shop saw them and recommended not to use them. His experience was that they eventually cook the calipers, and showed me a pile of them that had to be replaced because of dust shields. I have used this shop for over 20 years and they are honest, so I believed them and removed the shields. I now clean the every week or two in addition to the car wash. I have two cars with chrome that are in good condition. Good luck, Ed

I gave them a call and they said it would cost $500 plus tax with a two week turnaround.

They also said that they don't have any of these rims for exchange anymore ...

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MB 72 250 M130.923 114.011 170k The Beauty

post pics of your car with the chrome wheels when you get them.
I am thinking of the same too.

I plan on showcasing this project when I'm done. To be sure it will be awhile before I get to the tires at this point. I may spraypaint them silver in the meantime just cause they have gotten so groadie over the years.

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MB 72 250 M130.923 114.011 170k The Beauty

I have wheels chromed by Globe Tires less than a year old- - the chrome is chipping!

I am in contact w/ Starmark selling dealer to see if they can do anything.

-fad
'94 E500

That's not good! How often did you clean the brake dust of of them. I have heard that the brake dust does it damage pretty quickly on chrome. Weekly cleanings are required.. daily cleanings would probably be the only sure way to prevent it from eating the chrome.

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MB 72 250 M130.923 114.011 170k The Beauty

I would advise against chroming wheels. Chrome is heavy. The process softens the metal in the wheel. The chrome itself is very rigid - doesn't flex - which leads to chipping and peeling.

I just took in some 8 hole OEM 15" rims for refinishing, and the shop advised against chroming, said it would only last 2-3 years.

Do a search function on this site for chrome wheels, chroming, refinishing wheels, etc. This has been discussed a lot. Luke from Tire Rack has also contributed some comments on this.

It is also interesting to note that MB's never come from the factory standard with chrome wheels. It isn't even offered. It is always a dealer added item. It is also unique to America to chrome wheels. In Asia and Europe, they never chrome wheels. If you do, you'd look like a gangster.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I'll check out some other process to make these wheels look better.

Originally I was going to sand blast them and just give them clearcoat.

Oh ya I'm quite the gangsta

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MB 72 250 M130.923 114.011 170k The Beauty

Chrome in Europe is catching on, too many aftemarket boring alloys rollin 'round. Nowt wrong with the gangsta look anyway.

A really nice and extremely durable finish for your alloy wheels is powdercoat. There should be many places to get this done in So Cal as it is a popular Hot Rod/Custom/Lowrider process for coating parts. You should be able to get a very close match to the silver OEM paint, as there are many colors available. This is a near bulletproof coating that stands up to the brake dust well.
You might want to avoid the chrome wheels because they do give off a little bit of that Miami Vice-era Don Johnson vibe!

Tom Drew

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1972 280SE 4.5