Porsche 911 Fuch Wheels Repair

[P924S]

the story: these wheels were the casualty of morning sprinklers hitting the driveway every day for an extended period of time. note: I'm not to blame, heh, I'm just trying to resurrect these 7" & 8" Fuchs wheels for my '82 911 SC. Does anyone know of a reasonable/good wheel repair shop in the SF Bay Area?

I'm considering having the chrome removed and just having them polished with the centers painted. all 4 wheels were unfortunately affected.

I read somewhere that certain DIY'ers use "oven cleaner" to remove chrome but I find that hard to believe, wouldn't that stain the underlying metal and ruin them? I really would like to repair these rims myself, but I'm wondering if that'd be something more than this DIY'r can handle?

Thanks for helping. I'll post pics when I get them repaired.

[Arne2]

David at Rohrer Restoration worked out a process for de-chroming Fuchs like yours. Check out this thread:

Fuchs Restoration

I'm planning to have mine stripped and re-anodized by him in a couple months.

He doesn't get to Pelican often, but if you like, I have email and phone for him. Shoot me a PM.

[vinny c]

I talked with Harvey Weidman(530-534-7903) earlier this month about chrome removal and refinishing on some 7 & 9x16's.

He sends the wheels out for chrome removal and then will finish to suit. I plan to do this soon.

Vince

[Jdub]

You mis-read on using stripper to remove chrome - that will never work.

You need the full bath tanks plating shops use to remove chrome. I highly advise that you have these polished and stay away from chroming them. It always seems to come out badly over time with flaking and stains you cannot remove. Once polished, your choice to seal the finish with anodizing or do as I do and polish and wax them regularly.

[P924S]

I am considering going with Harvey Weidman, as he was recommended to me by George and Brian from "The Stable" in SF. I understand that he used to fix any problems that Porsches had with their rims when they were initially shipped to the U.S. and that he taught Al Reed in L.A. and that he actually sold his business to him before moving up here to NorCal. It'll still be a 3 hour drive for me each way, but the trip will be worth it to get these Rims repaired. I'll give him a call. Thanks for the info guys! :-)

[P924S]

Happy Festivus to me! i just got my rims back from Harvey Weidman yesterday and they look Phenomenal! i'm beyond Joy! i'll soon receive my center caps with Porsche crests to complete the look. if y'all have rims that need work, go to Harvey, He's The Best!!!

[DRACO A5OG]

Try Mr Clean ERASER ( white foam block ), I had heavy water deposits in my bath shower chrome fixtures and it removed it all and shined it up nicely, with very little effort and no cleaner.

[Michael T]

I wonder if they are chromed, given it is a dipping process. I would agree with the first step being to polish the water spotted areas first. Be interested to hear if that works. I might try vinegar first, then some polish.

[P924S]

they were originally chromed and were very pitted. Harvey had them de-chromed and now they're polished. Oh, btw, they are 7's & 9's.