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'Un'polishing chrome

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Old 04-30-2004, 10:02 AM
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82Red
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Default 'Un'polishing chrome

I just ordered a set of 20" wheels for show that were only available in a chrome:cool: finish. Does anyone know of a technique to 'un'polish chrome for a less pimpish:troll effect?
Old 04-30-2004, 11:45 AM
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enforcer
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (82Red)

Cant help there but I love chrome wheels! :party:
Old 04-30-2004, 12:06 PM
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stingry
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06

Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (82Red)

My first question is why?

It is your choice though so I will shut up.

How about one of the following:

acid - will do something but dangerous
sandblast - still dangerous if you ask me but will make it "matt"
Paint - POR 15 makes a finish that paints over chrome and still lets the shine through but colours it.
Have them dipped to remove the chrome and have them anaodised?

I do have a set of stock 15" rallyes I will trade for those nasty 20" wheels you don't want!

Good luck.
Old 04-30-2004, 12:13 PM
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PRNDL
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (stingry)

I think sulphuric acid should dull down the chrome. You are also going to have to compress them down a bit to get them in to 17" or 18" max! :conehead
Old 04-30-2004, 12:29 PM
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NHvette
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (82Red)

Anyone that does chrome plating should be able to do removal, also.
Old 04-30-2004, 05:24 PM
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BBShark
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St. Jude Donor '05-'07

Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (82Red)

You can strip flash chrome with muratic acid (pool cleaner). If you leave it in for 60 seconds at a time you can probably dull it a little. That said, you may get uneven results and it wouldn't be that much fun. You could have them painted with clear catalyzed urethane with flattener in it. Be sure to use an adhesion promoter.
Old 04-30-2004, 05:35 PM
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (82Red)

I work as a chemist in the plating industry. Do not attempt to remove the chrome plating with any sort of acid. I can assure you that you will not be happy with the results. Under that chrome there is nickel and copper. You will open up a can of worms that you won't believe. The chrome plating can be dulled by blasting with the proper media but it takes great skill by the worker to get it to look right. You might consider having them powder coated to a color you prefer. The plating may have to be removed to do that....I don't know for sure about that.
Old 05-01-2004, 03:18 AM
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82Red
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (robertmc48)

---------------------------
The chrome plating can be dulled by blasting with the proper media but it takes great skill by the worker to get it to look right.
---------------------------

What about 'buffing' or 'scratching' the finish with a rough pad? Can this be done?
Old 05-01-2004, 05:49 AM
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Twin_Turbo
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (82Red)

Take the wheels to a good powdercoater and have them powdercoated a translucent color, my choice would be gunmetal or something like that
Old 05-01-2004, 04:17 PM
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Edzred72
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (82Red)

Sorry to be so blunt....but....cancel the order. Your wasting your money on something you really don't want, and running the risk of completely ruining them on top of it all. Keep looking for exacly what you want. You'll be happier in the end. :cheers:
Good Luck :D :D
Eddie
Old 05-01-2004, 04:21 PM
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (Silvr77)

Sorry to be so blunt....but....cancel the order. Your wasting your money on something you really don't want, and running the risk of completely ruining them on top of it all. Keep looking for exacly what you want. You'll be happier in the end. :cheers:
Good Luck :D :D
Eddie

I agree 100%. It's much better to buy what you really want than change it.
Old 05-01-2004, 04:21 PM
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (Silvr77)

Sorry to be so blunt....but....cancel the order. Your wasting your money on something you really don't want, and running the risk of completely ruining them on top of it all. Keep looking for exacly what you want. You'll be happier in the end. :cheers:
Good Luck :D :D
Eddie
:withstupid: I love chrome!
Old 05-02-2004, 08:54 AM
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427V8
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (MNJack)

I think sulphuric acid should dull down the chrome. You are also going to have to compress them down a bit to get them in to 17" or 18" max! :conehead
:iagree:
I spilled like one drop on the motorcycle pipes and it's very Dull.

BUT, leave em shiny:rolleyes
Old 05-02-2004, 10:07 AM
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Jughead
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (427V8)

That's a lot of $$ to just ruin them. But your decision.

Steel wool??? :confused:
Old 05-02-2004, 11:56 AM
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Cali,68,L-79
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (Jughead)

Well lets look at the alternatives.

1. Chrome- beutiful shine, lowest maintenance, however one good ding and the chrome starts to pull up.

2. Polished - 2nd rate beautiful shine however requires monthly manitenance and a PITA but when done right wow!

I'd cancel my order and get what you really want. Your $$, your choice.
Old 05-02-2004, 01:27 PM
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Bill Oxley
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (Cali,68,L-79)

If you go ahead with buying them, I'm with Jug, try the steel wool. There are many different "courseness" available. Will be alot of work, but you can probably get them to what your looking for.
Old 05-02-2004, 02:09 PM
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (82Red)

Don't buy chrome if you don't want "shiny"........ And since when does chrome equate to pimpish? Never heard anyone say that before. Now if the wheels were in gold.....
Old 05-02-2004, 03:27 PM
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (82Red)

Powder coat?
Old 05-02-2004, 06:23 PM
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82Red
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Default Re: 'Un'polishing chrome (KenSny)

-------------------------------
Don't buy chrome if you don't want "shiny"........ And since when does chrome equate to pimpish? Never heard anyone say that before. Now if the wheels were in gold.....
-------------------------------

The wheels I got are 20s. The chrome on wheels that big would make them stand out too much. If they were 15-17s then chrome I think would be fine. Anything bigger I think would be too flashy or 'pimpish'(:troll) in chrome. The wheels I got are 20s but I don't want them to stand out too much.

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