Summary for chrome redipping for wheel Discussion
Chrome redipping for wheel questions focus on where to get 20-inch alloy wheels re-dipped and whether aluminum wheels can be chrome plated to match original chrome. Ted Mooney explains that true chrome plating on alloy wheels at low volume is very expensive and prone to peeling if conditions are not perfect, so only a small number of shops in the country likely do this work. He advises searching for shops that specifically handle "chrome plating of alloy wheels" and checking Hemmings Motor News, while ignoring compilation sites. Mooney also notes that chrome-look paint or "spray chrome" may be a practical alternative. In a later reply, he says aluminum wheels can be chrome plated and will look the same as original chrome wheels, but the cost will be high because one-off plating is much more expensive than mass production.
RFQ: Where can I get a set of 20″ wheels re-dipped?
Wayne Dameron
– Warsaw
January 14, 2023
Ed. note: This RFQ is outdated, but technical replies are welcome, and readers are encouraged to post their own RFQs. But no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?).
A. Hi Wayne
Because it is so expensive to do real chrome plating on alloys wheels at low volume, and peeling happens if things aren’t perfect, it is hard to be in that business; I suspect there are only a half-dozen shops in the country who do aftermarket plating of alloy wheels, almost surely not more than a dozen. Google will find them with “need chrome plating of alloy wheels”. Go to the listed shops (ignore the supposed compilation sites, as they will probably take you more time than they’re worth). Such shops also sometimes advertise in Hemmings Motor News.
This is probably a good application for chrome-look paint, sometimes called ‘spray chrome’, as an alternative to real chrome plating.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
⇩ Similar, related, Q&As — oldest first ⇩
RFQ: I just bought a set of chrome rims and I need to re-dip one of them. I don’t know where to take it or to get it redipped?
Please help me.
Denny Kneifel Jr.
automotive – LaPorte, Indiana
2003
A. We printed your inquiry, Denny, but the bad news is that redipping will probably cost more than a replacement wheel. Chrome plating is a very labor intensive process requiring, among other things, custom fabrication of auxiliary anodes to match the wheel shape. When thousands of identical wheels are plated, the plating cost can be moderate. When just one must be plated, the labor cost can be outrageous.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
go to Introduction to Chrome Plating
RFQ: Looking for a reputable shop to re-chrome C5 Corvette thin spoke wheels in the New Orleans area.
Jai Sevin
homeowner – Raceland, Louisiana, USA
2004
RFQ: Can you have aluminum wheels chrome dipped? And will it look the same as original chrome wheels?
David Whalen
Durand, Michigan
2006
A. Yes, David. They will look the same because they will be the same (allowing for differences in quality from shop to shop). But they will be very expensive because it costs a lot more to chrome plate things onesy-twosy than to chrome plate them hundreds at a time.
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
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