Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Chrome removal

I have a 1997 Mercedes that I just bought. It is in great condition however the previous owner chromed the wheels. Is there anyway to remove the chrome and maintain the original wheels?

Rick Taormina
customer - Wilmington, Delaware
February 4, 2009

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First of two simultaneous responses --

There's nothing you can do at home, however a plating shop can do the job for you. You'll then have bare aluminum or steel, and you'll have to protect that somehow.

If the wheels are chrome plated steel, just rough them up with 320 grit wet sandpaper and paint them. No need to remove the chrome.

A better solution might be to find someone with a similar car who likes chrome plated wheels and do a swap.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
February 6, 2009

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

First, yes the chrome can be stripped but it would have to be by a commercial shop. After the chrome had been stripped, the original finish would have to be re applied. Second, I would guess that these are not the original wheels since the difficulty in finding a shop who would chrome plate wheels is a great deal higher (and generally more expensive) than buying after market chrome plated wheels.

I would suggest that if you wish to have the original wheels/finish it might be more cost effective to look for them at a salvage yard or a used and/or reconditioned parts dealer.

Gene Packman
process supplier - Great Neck, New York
February 7, 2009