black chrome

cudadude · 12-20-2006, 11:34 PM

Any recommendations on a shop that will take my C6 rims and black chrome them? Thanks...

99FewteRC5 · 12-21-2006, 03:22 AM

where are you located??

zymox · 12-21-2006, 02:42 PM

Make sure what type of black chrome you are getting. If it's the powder coat type or Helios you don't want it. It's a painted on version that leaves runs and orange peel. The process has not been perfected yet. There are some companies beginning to make black chrome at their factory, I suggest you wait until they are available and buy them before you ruin wheels you allready own.

cudadude · 12-22-2006, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zymox

Make sure what type of black chrome you are getting. If it's the powder coat type or Helios you don't want it. It's a painted on version that leaves runs and orange peel. The process has not been perfected yet. There are some companies beginning to make black chrome at their factory, I suggest you wait until they are available and buy them before you ruin wheels you allready own.

If the coating is free of runs do you think it is durable? A minor amount of orange peel would not necessarily disturb me. Also, do you have any names of those companies? I'm in SC... What about what I've heard referred to as nickle - same thing?

chuck1026 · 12-22-2006, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cudadude

If the coating is free of runs do you think it is durable? A minor amount of orange peel would not necessarily disturb me. Also, do you have any names of those companies? I'm in SC... What about what I've heard referred to as nickle - same thing?

I am wondering the same thing. Also, I understand that there are two types of black chrome. One looks more black than chrome and the other looks chrome with black highlights (called "hyperblack?).

So, I am wondering about durability of the powdercoating and if there are indeed two (opposite?) kinds of black chrome.

zymox · 12-27-2006, 03:35 PM

Hyperblack is a painted finish. Not the same nor the same look as black chome. Here are the 2 kinds of black chrome. The helios method I spoke about earlier is basically a powder coat application. Yes it is very durable since it is powder coat. The other method is called sputtering chrome. The details of how it is applied are being kept secret as this technology could very well transform the wheel business since they are also able to do it in a brilliant chrome. The advantages are that since it is not true chrome it will not corrode, peel, or seperate from the wheel. Right now if you wanted to have your wheels sputtered you would have to send them to Germany. My opinion is this, the value of the product is what's most important to me. To pay a few more dollars and get a quality product is worth it. I wouldn't want the powder coated helios product.

Z blue 02 · 12-27-2006, 10:57 PM

Just a little bit of info....I work for a Co. that remans wheels and bumpers....National co. w/ 135 locations and 12 wheel plants...we can do what is called hyper-silver...much like black chrome...our finish is a wet paint, not powder....I dont know if its OK to tell the Co. name but if you pm me I will disclose.....

cudadude · 12-28-2006, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zymox

Hyperblack is a painted finish. Not the same nor the same look as black chome. Here are the 2 kinds of black chrome. The helios method I spoke about earlier is basically a powder coat application. Yes it is very durable since it is powder coat. The other method is called sputtering chrome. The details of how it is applied are being kept secret as this technology could very well transform the wheel business since they are also able to do it in a brilliant chrome. The advantages are that since it is not true chrome it will not corrode, peel, or seperate from the wheel. Right now if you wanted to have your wheels sputtered you would have to send them to Germany. My opinion is this, the value of the product is what's most important to me. To pay a few more dollars and get a quality product is worth it. I wouldn't want the powder coated helios product.

So, the powdercoat is durable but it has runs and noticeable orange peel. Is it not a quality control issue that causes the runs, maybe sloppy application (understand that I don't really know how powdercoating works) or an inexperienced workman? Or is this the best that can be expected with the current technology?

C5-Phil · 01-02-2007, 12:49 PM

These guys are doing it:

http://www.calchrome.com/service_smokemetal.php

cudadude · 01-04-2007, 10:05 PM

Thanks!

thehammer69 · 01-13-2007, 03:29 AM

Here is a place that uses the new patented Dupont process: http://www.vacuummetalcoating.com/

Hammer

southern_son · 01-16-2007, 08:37 PM

Black chrome is applied over the bright chrome item. Take a regular chrome wheel to a plater and he can blacken it for you. So this would leave me to believe that any durable black chrome finish is atleast this two step process..... no paint.

EVIL_C5 · 01-17-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C5-Phil

These guys are doing it:

http://www.calchrome.com/service_smokemetal.php

i called them today since on their website it shows they do 3 piece wheels. i must say there prices were eye opening.

but for a 1 of a kind set of wheels, i might have to overlook the price.

MikeyTX · 01-17-2007, 03:48 PM

I really like the look. However, the product is still to new for me to mess with. I already have bought several sets of aftermarket wheels only to find them hard to balance and extremly heavy as well.