Got a Bling Bling Question...

[dboat]

I drive a 2002 Ford Lightning with stock wheels. The stock wheels are painted aluminum. I want to upgrade to the same wheels just in chrome. I can get another set of wheels for $1200. I live in Dallas and all the chrome shops are in California. Anyone have their wheels chromed? are you happy with the results? is there a cheaper way? I have heard the Discount Tire might do a swap, anyone know about it?
Any help is appreciated..
Dana

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

check out ebay... lots of options there, such as:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6782

here's just the general search I did:

http://search.ebaymotors.com/search/...m=R2&catref=C3

lots cheaper than getting a second set of stockers and having them chromed yourself I do believe

[NY detailer]

I was thinking about getting my wheels dipped, but after 2yrs or so, i dont think it will hold up

[dboat]

you are correct. also your links took me to the cheapest set of chromed wheels I have seen on ebay..

anyone else?

thanks
Dana

[Nagchampa]

I have actually prepared my friends set of IROC wheels for chroming before. If you are within reach of a chrome plating shop, you could save a few bucks by doing your own legwork, but you will work for the money you save.

All you have to do is strip the paint off the wheels, then polish with sandpaper starting with #400 and working your way up to #1800 or #2200. Sounds easy enough but it is very labour intensive. Be sure to use WD40 for lube and keep plenty of towels and newspapers around and be thorough in your sanding.

When you bring them to the shop to be dipped, be sure they triple plate them for a beautiful finish. I will try to get some pics of the wheels I did when he brings his car out of hibernation. I will be doing a set of wheels for my brothers crotch rocket in the near future. Those should be fun with the rough cast finish.

You are probably best off to just buy the eBay wheels.

[audio1der]

I may be out of place here, but what about having them polished, instead of chromed? This will also cut down on the unsprung and rotational weight of the truck, keeping the performance (you bought a Lightning, mind you!) of your truck at its peak.

[DETAILKING]

If you get your wheels chromed, make sure they triple plate them. Most places give you a warranty (5 yrs, lifetime...it varies) against cracking, peeling,etc,etc. I would not do an exchange basis.....basically you give them your MINT wheels, and get someone elses that they refinished and PLATE. The only advantage to this is that you experience no down time. I would find a good shop and have your wheels plated if you can live with a few weeks of down time. If not, find a place that could polish them in a day or so, and they will look almost chromed, with a mirror finish.

[C5Mike]

My buddy had his bumpers chromed and the chrome started to fail about 18 months later. I would go with EBAY and get rims that are made to be chromed. Or, you could get rims that are polished aluminum like my car... looks as sharp as chrome.

[thevolvoguy]

^^ 20' Chrome Giovanna's... price? About $1000 a rim.

The Youkon Denali next to the MB has 25' Giovanna's. :scared

Chrome is very easy to clean, so is polished alloy. I wouldnt get your stock wheels done, I would just buy new "real" bling bling.

Just my 2 cents.

[dboat]

wanted to know what I eventually did..

I went ahead and bought new chrome wheels that match my stock wheels on my Lightning.. I hope to sell the stock wheels to Intel486.. but am very happy with my aftermarket chrome wheels.
Thank you to each and every one of you for your advice and help.,..
Dana

[Redcar GUY]

Originally posted by dboat
wanted to know what I eventually did..

I went ahead and bought new chrome wheels that match my stock wheels on my Lightning.. I hope to sell the stock wheels to Intel486.. but am very happy with my aftermarket chrome wheels.
Thank you to each and every one of you for your advice and help.,..
Dana