georgethedog
Enthusiast
My 2003 Gen 3 stock wheels need some kind of refinishing and I am just wondering if anyone has done it and what process was used. Thanks. 
Refinish 03 Wheels... Anyone done this???
- Thread starter georgethedog
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AbsolutHank
Enthusiast
Well, as you know, the factory 10 spokes are clearcoated. You'll need to apply Aircraft Paint Stripper to the wheels, let sit, peel clearcoat off, hose off, dry and then repolish the wheels to get a much better shine out of them. You'll find that you'll have to polish them frequently, and they'll be much more susceptible to fine scratches as well..but at least they'll have some shine. Another option is to have them powdercoated.
I personally would save some cash/effort and pick up a later model set of OE wheels/tires, as they seem to have a better finish and look better than the 10 spokes
I personally would save some cash/effort and pick up a later model set of OE wheels/tires, as they seem to have a better finish and look better than the 10 spokes
purplesnake
Viper Owner
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Chrome em'. I did my H-spokes on my 08', and I love them. Much more dramatic and easier to take care of, IMO.
...OR, have them powder coated black as a friend of purplesnake did with his 03 wheels.
georgethedog
Enthusiast
Thanks for the ideas. Since I have a Blue theme to the car (see pic below) I don't think the black would look good. I may check into chrome, but that may be too expensive... More ideas are welcome. Thanks.
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uvbnbit
Enthusiast
Here's a pic of one I "PVD'd"
85% lighter than chrome, better warranty, repairable, quicker turnaround time, etc
Chip (Rim Repair & Restoration)
85% lighter than chrome, better warranty, repairable, quicker turnaround time, etc
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Chip (Rim Repair & Restoration)
georgethedog
Enthusiast
Looks great. Excuse my ignorance (a passtime of people for almost 50 years), but can you quickly explain PVD and cost? I did an Internet search and got an idea. Wondering who can do it...
sssammm
Enthusiast
I refurbed mine and powdercoated them black, but you can get the done any colour
Flexx91
Viper Owner
Not worth the time and trouble - especially for the least desired Gen. III/IV wheel. Imagine having to repeatedly polish 10 spokes of all wheels. Best thing to do is to have them chromed (about $900 for the set including the center caps).
purplesnake
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Maybe if you did have them chromed, you could do blue accents on the centercaps. I did red on mine. A nice touch.
uvbnbit
Enthusiast
Physical Vapor Deposition. check out www.oexllc.com They are a distributor/dealer only. And, of course, I can do it.
Cost is usually in the $200-250 ea. range. You asked for options and this is one.
-chip
Viktimize
Enthusiast
Least desired?? Wouldn't least desired be those ugly ass H-block wheels?? Or do guys like those since they are rare?
georgethedog
Enthusiast
Who chromed yours?
georgethedog
Enthusiast
I agree that I really do not want to keep polishing those wheels. However, I like the 10 spokes and actually a lot of people who see the car comment on how good those 10 spoke wheels look. So, I just want to try to make them look better as they are a bit worn. Thanks all for the ideas. Any other ideas are very welcome.
georgethedog
Enthusiast
Physical Vapor Deposition. check out www.oexllc.com They are a distributor/dealer only. And, of course, I can do it.
Cost is usually in the $200-250 ea. range. You asked for options and this is one.
-chip
Is that coating the entire wheel inside and out? Thanks.
purplesnake
Viper Owner
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Mine were Cal-Chrome though JonB, because that just worked out best at the time and I didn't have down time with no wheels. You might give him a call and ask if he has better options than sending yours to them, or find the closest firm that does chrome work near you. Good luck.
gutterworks129
Viper Owner
They look awesome! I had a rim with curb rash fixed at RimGuard and the clear powder coat popped off when I had new tires installed. Does your process have a clear coat?
uvbnbit
Enthusiast
Yes, entire wheel.
uvbnbit
Enthusiast
No, but I imagine it could? This particular customer wanted me to mount the original run-flats back on too. Not fun, but that's what I did.
Flexx91
Viper Owner
Yeah, the least desired. Just compare the availability, cost, and the weight of these wheels compared to any of the other Gen. III/IV OE wheels. Try buying a set of good used H-spokes for less than $800.
Flexx91
Viper Owner
I still have a set of blemish free 10 spokes that I've been holding on to just in case I decided to trade in my '05. I have a set of CalChromed 5 spokes currently mounted on the car and also a set of 6 spokes.
georgethedog
Enthusiast
That's 84 freakin spokes!!!
Flexx91
Viper Owner
Yeah, I basically have three sets of OE Viper wheels. I first bought a set of new 6 spokes then came across a great price on a set of used 5 spokes and had them chromed.
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CEJ
Enthusiast
Who chromed your wheels? How well does the chrome hold up with tire mounting and such compared with the OEM clearcoat? Thanks.
texas_venom
Enthusiast
Physical Vapor Deposition. check out www.oexllc.com They are a distributor/dealer only. And, of course, I can do it.
Cost is usually in the $200-250 ea. range. You asked for options and this is one.
-chip
I was at the Sewell Infiniti dealership yesterday in Fort Worth and they are sending their factory wheels in for this process. They are doing them in a black chrome look and I have to say it looked really good. It was strange I saw this thread yesterday... and first time hearing of the process... and then saw it in person at the dealership. I was very impressed with the results and will be doing this to my Jeep SRT-8 wheels at some point.
Flexx91
Viper Owner
Calchrome. No problems or issues with the chrome "holding up". The process is described on their website. www.calchrome.com
Silver04
Enthusiast
I like the look!! Does anybody know of a vendor in San Antonio area that does repairs or chroming? The tires staying on the rim would be preferred...
JoelW
Enthusiast
Don't think anyone will repair wheels with the tires on the rim. Getting to the area that is usually damaged wouldn't be possible. Remounting tires is going to be part of the price if you take them all to a repair shop yourself. Even if you have to have them dismounted first, use a first class shop. The pressure monitoring units are very expensive and most good shops will give you a price to do both mounting and dismounting. I bought a polished set of 10 spokes from VPA. You might call and see what they have. JonB also has wheels. You might just want to get a refurbished set and go from there.
Flexx91
Viper Owner
Same response here. No one is going to repair wheels with tires mounted to them. You definitely can't chrome them with the tires attached. The unfortunate reponse to this issue is "you have to pay to play". It's going to cost you in the neighborhood of $100 just to have the tires dismounted, mounted and balanced along with new TPMS sensor grommets. I've always had my tires mounted at Discount Tire and never had an issue. You want to make sure that the tire facility has the proper equipment to mount and balance Viper tires/wheels without damaging them.
mgeorge
Enthusiast
I'm going through the process with Cal-chrome right now (should have the wheels back in about 2 weeks) in case the OP or Silver 04 would like to know, Cal-Chrome does have an option where you ship the wheels with the tires still mounted, they will then take them off at the facility, repair curb rash, put the wheels through the chroming process, remount the tires, balance them and then send everything back. My are the 98 stock rims. Cost was:
$150 per wheel to chrome
$25 per wheel to take off the tires and then remount
$35 per centercap (might not apply with yours)
$250 to ship back to me
It cost me $250 to ship the wheels/tires out to them.
$150 per wheel to chrome
$25 per wheel to take off the tires and then remount
$35 per centercap (might not apply with yours)
$250 to ship back to me
It cost me $250 to ship the wheels/tires out to them.
