Hi all,
In having new tires installed, the "tech" noticed the chrome peeling on the inside of my rims, and, to a lesser extent, on the bead/sealing area. Upon further inspection, even some of the spots on the outside are showing areas of compromise.
Has any one else experienced this? I'm wondering the cause, and if there is a fix.
I had to take one rim back and get some rubber stuff "painted" on the bead area to stop a slow leak, due to the rough surface from "peeling".
My car is an 86 300 SDL, 199K, I think these are the original 15" rims.
Thanks for any insights,
Henry

All chrome rims will peel in a matter of time...some sooner, some later depending on the quality of the original chrome process. And not only do the wheels look bad they will all eventually have air leaks. The only solution is to replace the wheels.

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1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

When I bought my new 300SDL in 1987 there was no chrome option for the MB wheels from MBUSA. I believe that there was (and is )aftermarket solutions. It seems that many west coast MB car owners had their wheels chromed after they bought their car. And I'd guess that some MB dealers did it for them. But this was not a true MB option. I have also read that it is not advisable to chrome plate alloy wheels which weren't meant to be chomed in the first place. I wish that I could remember where that thread is .

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Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

I recall the same article, where MB was against chroming the wheels. Something about the plating process where copper or brass was plated on the wheel which causes a chemical reaction.

These rims are pretty heavy, I'm fairly sure they are chrome plated steel.
Henry

You can have them re-chromed for $125 a piece here in Cali.

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1998 SL500 Sport Model

One of the great wheel scams out there is......you send in your very expensive light-weight original alloy MB wheels to get chromed and you get back heavy steel wheel knock-offs with chrome that will eventually peel and cause air leaks. And when you try to trade-in the wheels nobody wants them because they are knock-offs, not the real deal. So you are giving up 4 wheels worth $2,000 or more at MB prices and getting back 4 knock-offs worth about $150 each when new....and practically worthless in 5 years. Doesn't sound like a good deal to me. Keep your original alloys...they will last the life of the car and then some.

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1986 560 SEL (159K miles)

Peter--- That's the article. ygmir--- The std. alloy wheels are somewhat heavy. Look around the lug holes, if the metal is thick, then it's probably alloy. Also, just try a magnet! MB didn't offer a steel wheel for U.S. cars for this model. Maybe you have a Euro car.

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Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback

It can't be a Euro car because there was no 300SD or 300SDL as a Euro model. These are US exclusive cars

My 86 Euro 500 SE had peeling alloy MB 15 hole chrome rims. I checked around and found shops that would remove the chrome and either polish them or paint them but prices were a bit steep . Haveing the time I sanded the chrome off with a die grinder. a big heavy 9 inch welding grinder and my porter cable orbit disk sander.

Its a hole lot of work .I then shot them with several coats of primer followed by silver grey base coat clear coat. They are holding up well and I like them much better than in chrome.......

William Rogers........

I'll try the magnet idea to make sure, thanks, good idea.....
I have a sandblaster I use in my business (making tombstones), I wonder if it would remove the chrome without totally destroying the rims. I have sandblasted lots of rims to remove paint, but not to get chrome off.......
Thanks,
Ygmir

.....the original coating on my alloys is coming off, some places peeling and some just wearing thin. My question is this, would painting my wheels the body color (gloss black) be in any way detrimental to the wheels. I don't want to paint them with any silver colored paint because in my experience silver takes a long time to cure completely not to mention just not looking right with uneven pigment.

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1991 300SE (my ride, 279,000 miles, looks almost new
1954 Cadillac (21 yo son's car, he bought when age 15)
1972 SeaBird 19 ft runabout (old but solid, slant six, Volvo sterndrive perfect condition, undergoing complete overhaul and refit)
1998 Toyota Rav4 (my sons daily driver when he is in the Continental US, PROUDLY serving in US Navy)

My personal opinion is that any time you try some tO me anything odd like a non Mercedes color or non Mercedes rims on any of their models simply dosn't work. I think that same color wheels on a 126 would look like it came right out of an East LA nightmare.Recently an other wise nice 300 D pulled next to me at a stop light it had a fine repaint job but the color was bright green heavy meatalic it was amazing how that color destroyed the lines and character of that nice MB.

If you are unable to do the work youself take the to a body shop or wheel shop and they will be able to duplicate the original color........

William Rogers.......

I had the same problem with the chrome peeling on my wheels. In my case the chrome peeling caused air to leak out of my tires. I changed the tires once, and wire brushed the inner lip of the rims between the tire and the rim multiple times. I even tried using silicon to seal the wheels to no avail. I eventually ended up buying new wheels...it was much cheaper than refinishing / rechroming the orginal wheels.

jrmd01@yahoo.com

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JR
1986 Gold 300E 4Dr automatic