Removing Chrome from Fuchs

1973911s · 03-08-2004, 12:27 PM

I spoke to Al Reed today, I felt like I was talking to a star, after all the press on him.

I have fuch wheels that have a chrome lip, and black painted centers. Al said he can remove the chrome for $10 a wheel, and then the normal cost to polish and paint.

This is good news, as I will not have to go through the mess of selling and buying a new set of wheels.

Just need to find the time to get the car to him.

Michael

Az911 · 03-08-2004, 12:43 PM

Make sure to post pics when everything is finished. I have wondered how the metal would look after the chrome is stripped.

bigrubberjeep · 03-08-2004, 12:45 PM

Hey, I'm doing the same - When will you be doing yours? Maybe we can get a 2 for 1 discount.

Wavey · 03-08-2004, 12:46 PM

I've also got a set on the way to him right now - I'll post pics when I get them back in a couple of weeks. He really seems like a great guy (Diane too!)

Rufblackbird · 03-08-2004, 12:48 PM

holy crap, $10 a wheel? My friend just took 2 of his Design 90s to a local plating company (seems like the only one here...) to get them dechromed and they charged him $50 a wheel.

Jgordon · 03-08-2004, 01:29 PM

I thought that the presiding knowledge had indicated dechroming fuchs was bad, as it would weaken the metal. I have no metallurgical experience or first-hand knowledge, but I'd be interested in hearing whether this is still the case?

Thanks

Jared

RickM · RickM's Garage

I've heard the same about dechroming any metal. The most positive response I've ever heard was "it depends on the metal"....case by case.
Perhaps, the Fuchs alloy lends itself well to this process.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

De-chroming does not hurt them, the original chroming part does....

BTW...he has a loaner wheel/tire program for people that live near him...at least he used too.

1973911s · 03-08-2004, 02:13 PM

He still does have a loaner program.

KFC911 · 03-09-2004, 10:46 AM

Are the lips really chrome? My original Fuchs had some road rash on the lips, so I sanded off the anodized finish (only on the lips), and polished them, and it was a PITA, but they now look great! I didn't realize any Fuchs were chrome???

1973911s · 03-09-2004, 11:25 AM

They aren't chrome from the factory, the PO did it.

Hetmann · 03-11-2004, 10:50 AM

How do you find someone that can remove chrome? I have some little trim pieces I would like to black out?

RickM · RickM's Garage

Jerry, it would be easier and cheaper to blast and paint..or scuff and paint. Unless you want another type of black finish.

chrisp · 03-11-2004, 11:37 AM

Not to be the bearer of bad news but you may want to look for fine cracks under the newly exposed areas. Aluminum has a tendency to crack underneath the chrome. I believe the chroming process compromises the base material and then cracks propogate without being visible. The wheel's not going to fall apart or anything during street use and if you had your choice of place to have cracks the lip would be the right place (as opposed to the wheel center).

Most people agree that chrome wheels should not be used at the track.

Some sort of penetrant die test should do the trick.

I believe this is why the factory didn't chrome Fuchs.

Raymond · 03-11-2004, 12:18 PM

chris,

you said all that about aluminum... what if the wheels are chromed magnesium?

is there a way to tell aluminum fuchs from magnesium?

is chroming magnesium any different from aluminum?

RickM · RickM's Garage

Wasn't there a long thread on this? Where a high level Fuchs guy gave us the Mag/Al alloy recipe.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Here's the thread...perhaps Otto from Fuchs can give us an answer. He's very cool. Fuchs are mostly Magnesium