chrome Fuchs

[fifftyninevwcab]

chrome 16s Fuchs . I'm looking into getting some chrome Fuchs, but whats the problem with them, is it the look or the price of getting them chrome platted the reasons why people would rather have them polished I'm confused cause I would rather have chrome instead of polished cause polish fades , your opinion is appreciated .

[Oh Haha]

Some say that the chroming process weakens the alloy.

[fifftyninevwcab]

will the chrome shops tell you this. probably not right .

[Oh Haha]

Originally Posted by fifftyninevwcab

will the chrome shops tell you this. probably not right .

That I don't know.

There is a good thread on this topic but I can't seem to find it.

[FrenchToast]

If you want 'chrome' looking Fuchs, I would recommend getting them polished instead. Polish doesn't fade, as long as you dont let them water spot. However you will have to re-polish the wheels every couple years (not hard, takes a maybe 3-5 hours for a set of Fuchs). You CANNOT leave water on the polished surfaces for long. Any sort of wheel cleaners (which I don't recommend using on polished wheels anyway) should be rinsed off immediately after applied, not the "let it soak for 30 seconds" or whatever it says on the bottle. I learned this the hard way - let wheel cleaner sit on there, spotted the finish to ridiculous proportions. Took probably 10-12 hours to bring them back. And thats just for the outside rim! Luckily that set of wheels doesn't have polished centers....

A more practical approach would be having them clear-coated after they're polished. I think this is possible, not sure?

[hotvwnut]

my experience in the tire business- chrome tends to peel, come off- inside the bead seat area, wheel starts to pit and corrode--result is a big shiny paperweight----as bead will leak--my polished wheels look great-- try it--louie

[Noah930]

+1 on chrome peeling. Eventually you'll start getting slow tire leaks...from where the chrome is separating from the metal along the bead.

And chrome adds weight. OK, maybe not a big deal in a street-driven car. But it seems to defeat the intent of Fuchs forging the wheels from a blank of aluminum, just to have someone then coat them in layers of chrome.

If I wanted the shininess, I'd opt for polishing. The purist/snob in me wouldn't ever go for chroming them.

[924CarreraGTP]

I agree on polishing. You can get a pretty good mirror finish from polishing if you put some elbow grease into it. There are some nice mag and aluminum polishes on the market.

[FastCarFan]

In addition to what has already been said, chroming will significantly decrease the value of the Fuchs wheels. I have never been a fan of chrome, or even polished centers, on a 911. Too blingy. But others obviously do like them, so do what makes you happy.

[Cairo94507]

Chrome plating adds weight and IMO looks bad on any Porsche Fuchs wheel.

[ratpiper71T]

Chrome on aluminum in itself is an oxymoron. You don't want to be like these guys do yah?!?!?!

Motor Meister Chromed Porsche Alloy Wheels Fuchs - YouTube

[tshort]

Show me a chromed Fuchs wheel and I show you a stylin' Porsche nut hose reel.

[Plavan]

If done right, Chroming will not weaken a Fuch. However, you will not know unless it's stripped after the fact.
I would not chrome.

[azasadny]

I had my Fuchs polished and then clear-coated. In the 4 years after that was done, I never had to do anything but wipe them down after a drive. They shined like the day I got them back from Al Reed some 4 years later...

[warner53]

Chrome will pit the wheel over time.

[turbo951]

Well as you can see here everyone has an opinion. What they say is true.But its your car . Some look very nice with chrome and some dont . if you do this its wrong in some guys eyes and you do something else its wrong in other guys eyes .Do what you want !!!!!!

[fifftyninevwcab]

so the 16x9 are a big shiny paperweights or what do you guys recommend the price is not bad but they are chromed can they be saved ?

[uncle_scott]

Originally Posted by warner53

Chrome will pit the wheel over time.

This is happening to my current wheels. The brake dust caused corrosion which caused pitting before I ever got the car. I just bought a second set of Fuchs to run while I send the car's original wheels in to have the chrome stripped. I imagine that the wheels will need to be powder coated or coated in some way as to reduce the look and damage from the pitting...basically turned them into track wheels I imagine.

[Tinker]

Its a gamble. I'd pass on the chrome and get them polished, if that is your thing. Also, 16" tires in the correct size are a challenge to find / source, you might be better off saving for some 17's.

Tinker

[fintstone]

While I always considered myself a purist and followed the general premise expressed here regarding chroming Fuchs (would not have done so myself)...I bought a car with a set and they look great, have not peeled , cracked, etc. I sorta fancy them on this car now: