Q: Can these chrome wheels be saved?
 

So I just bought my first Saleen and she's got the chrome offset wheels. I'm not really a fan of chrome, but I like these. So when I bought the car a couple weeks ago I began the detailing process. I'm still not happy with it, but that's another topic... So these wheels... I washed them with soap and water, then wheel cleaner and it did absolutely nothing. I then used some P21s polishing soap. Amazing stuff really. Unfortunately, it still didn't do enough. While they did shine up, they aren't perfect and they have a lot of pitting. The rear wheels didn't even polish up. They look pretty dull and hazy. Can these be salvaged or will I have to have them re-chromed? Thanks.

It looks like some of the chrome is worn off.

Polishing usually does not help remove pitting, but it can help make it less obvious, but only use a proper chrome polish and nothing more aggressive.

I'd like to see them in person before you do anything else to them... I will try to get out to the Corona Cars & Coffee on the 23rd if you think you can make it. Text me at 714-580-3572 about meeting up.

Jim, appreciate that. I "think" I can make it to the Corona C&C on the 23rd... I spent the first weekend I had her working on getting rid of all the oxidation, etc... She's still really rough around the edges, so don't laugh at her when you see it. I always appreciate any help I can get. I know I still have a lot of work to do with the paint. Was hoping to have this car back to prime by Septembers Saleen Open House & Car Show. Its going to be a struggle...

How do you know it's a real Saleen? The chrome is pitting on the wheels and there ae spider cracks on the urethane pieces... Unfortunately, it's reality... Your best bet in the long run will be to have them rechromed. I have a set that looks almost identical, only used soap and water, etc... same result. Mine won't even hold air anymore because the chrome has flaked off in too many spots... I ended up going back to the silver powdercoated wheels the car originally came with.

While I've never really like the bling of chrome wheels, saleen chromed wheels solidified the fact that I never will.
I know all too well the chome causing air leaks.

The bigger issue of rechroming the wheels is the cost.
Since you are in California (or at least I think you are), California chrome wheels (calchrome.com) is one of the best, BUT it is going to seriously cost you, likely more than the wheels are worth.
It's like $125 a wheel to remove the chrome and then another $150 to redo it. If you aren't in driving distance, expect $25 a wheel each way (much more from NJ).

IMO, have them powdercoated the color of saleen wheels and be done with it. So much easier to clean and maintain. Even consider replica's, they can be had dirt cheap, like $450 a set.

I was considering going black chrome, but its a costly luxury... I have some connections and it was still going to be about $80 for the set. Remove old chrome and re-dip in black chrome. I will never see that type of return on the investment, but they'll look good and be somewhat unique. I think only the newer S197 cars had black chrome options?

IMO, black chrome wheels are trendy and that trend is pretty much over thankfully.

I actually considered it when I went to gloss black wheels on my xp8, luckily I knew someone that did it with a black car to see in person and the two tones of black together looked awful.

You can do a black chrome PVD for about the same cost as silver metallic... about $125/wheel... but I'm not sure I'd personally favor that look on red.

The costliest part of this repair will be removing the original chrome plating.

I can respect that. It "might" be a trend, but I don't see it that much out here honestly. I don't know if its location oriented, but I would think a set of black chrome Saleen rims would be something you're not gonna see very often or at all in the 99-04 section of Saleen mustangs at the car show. I think it could work well with my car color schematic. I already have black accents and striping on the car. Apparently the car originally had silver graphics, but they were changed to black, which I prefer myself.

Bottom line is I don't care for chrome in general, and I didn't want to be yet another person with gloss black, flat black or plastidip black wheels... Now that is trendy...

I have a soft quote for about $850 for the set, which includes stripping off the old chrome and re-dipping in black chrome. Not sure if regular chrome is more or less expensive though??? Its not a terrible price, but I'm not sure its worth it in general.

PVD is chrome paint. Plating typically cost more.

Ive seen it. Just wasn't found of it. It tends to peel off and chip away easily from what ive seen.

I wouldn't go experimenting with colors on real saleen wheels.
Pretty much i'd do saleen gray, black, or real chrome again.

If you want to try out new colors, just buy some replica new edge wheels, they are dirt cheap. Probably cost a lot less because there will be no chrome to remove.
And you won't ruin what value is left in the real saleen wheels.

Mine were shot as well. The Previous owner put on a set of replica polished alum ones. Not quite like chrome but, I keep them buffed. They look decent.

I've kept my originals in the event I want to restore them someday....

Maybe do like everyone else has said, experiment with replicas and save the old ones for a day when you have the extra cash to get them done right. The replicas don't have the raised Saleen logo btw.

IMO, doesn't mean much, lol nothing looks better than a set of chrome original 99-04 Saleen wheels. :smile:

The front's aren't terrible. Polished up relatively well. I'm thinking about just sending in the rears and having them re-chromed.