Semichrome the fuchs?

[nkotselas]

I was recommended to use semichrome on the outside lip of my fuchs to turn the aluminum look into a nice chrome look. Does anyone know or have any results with this? Interested in seeing some pics if possible.
Thanks,
Nick


best image ive got for now

[911pcars]

In order to materially change the surface finish of a factory-finished Fuchs wheel, one would have to access the base metal by removing the thin anodized layer.

Simichrome isn't abrasive enough to remove the anodizing on a particular area of the wheel. Localized sanding followed by progressive polishing to the desired luster can achieve that, but you lose that anodized protective layer. The wheel area must then be manually polished by hand on a periodic maintenance schedule - otherwise the aluminum will corrode.

The recommended method is to start with a bare wheel; create all surface finishes, including rough, smooth, luster and polished finishes desired before anodizing. Paint coatings are applied at the end. Of course, this is also the most costly method.

Sherwood

[vracer]

911pcars knows whereof he speaks. Polished aluminum may be the most beautiful metal there is. (I think it is prettier than gold or silver.) BUT - - - - It is impossible to maintain. I once had a plane with a polished aluminum propeller. By the time I finished polishing it, the end I started on had already begun to show tarnish. There are no protectants that work.

The dealer/first owner chromed my wheels. When I bought it, I thought the wheels were too "blingy", but they are growing on me.

[nkotselas]

Yeah those were my worries exactly. This guy is appearantly a detailed specialist though, and it seemed like he knew his stuff about these cars. He strongly recommended it, so I got pretty confused

[DanielDudley]

If you start to use simichrome on your wheels and do not get all the anodizing off, they will look mottled and pretty darned awful.

Most people strip anodizing off with oven cleaner, as it is a very hard coating that is hard to polish off. If this is your DD, you could find yourself polishing them every month for the rest of your life.

Try wiping them down with a little Vaseline.

[RichardNew]

If you think polishing aluminum is tough - try polishing magnesium. By the time you start the 4th wheel the first one is due for polishing again,

Richard Newton
Newton's Law

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by RichardNew

If you think polishing aluminum is tough - try polishing magnesium. By the time you start the 4th wheel the first one is due for polishing again,

Richard Newton
Newton's Law

That's like painting the Golden Gate Bridge.

[RoninLB]

I use Zoop Seal