Metal finishing Q&As since 1989
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Painting wheels chrome
Q. I am interested in purchasing custom chrome wheels to mount on my car, but they are very expensive compared to other finishes such as silver or gunmetal, even in the same size and type of wheel. The other day I was in the automotive section of a store and I ran across some chrome spray paint and wondered if it is possible to buy the cheaper finish and "paint" the wheels chrome. Is this crazy? Would it be worth the time and effort to save myself some money? Is it possible, and if so, do I have to strip off the original finish or can I paint right over it?
Darren W [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]hobby - Columbus, Ohio
2004
A. Darren:
No spray paint will ever have the reflectance of a good Chrome job. Powder coating may come in a close second but will still not have the shine of Chrome. Chrome is what you need if that is the look you want. The "trend" these days is for wheels to be Silver painted. Personally, I feel that is the manufacturers way of "cheaping out" on wheels. Much less expensive to paint and clear coat than to have the wheels plated. Also, the alloys they use in todays wheels are much tougher to plate and get the plating to stay than steel wheels of a few years ago.
- Shinnston, West Virginia, USA
2004
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