Re-Chrome and refinish ??

[KaGee]

My trailer hubcaps and wheels are rusty.<br />Anyone ever have your caps re-chromed or wheels powder coated? Is it worth the trouble or cheaper to buy new??

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Re-Chrome and refinish ??

I don't have much experience with chroming but I think it is probably cheaper and certainly a lot less work to buy new hubcaps. If the wheels are not too bad, blast and paint.<br /><br />Problem with chroming is it shows every imperfection in the base material. You have to remove the rust and sand and buff the metal to a smooth finish before chroming otherwise the new chrome will look really bad.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Re-Chrome and refinish ??

I had my '56 Gator hubcaps re-plated. Luckily they built them with enough steel so they could be ground down smooth. Turned out really nice. Cost - $35 each.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Re-Chrome and refinish ??

Unless they are something special, it would be cheaper easier and quicker to buy some after market plastic replacements. <br /><br />A can of spray paint can do wonders too.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Re-Chrome and refinish ??

A can of spray paint can do wonders too.<br />

This is true however dont leave the tire on the rims and spray paint the tire it looks tacky.<br /><br />Best thing to do is look to see if you can clean up the rust then you can decide to paint, chrome, or powder coat. Powdercoat is gonna look sharp with propper prep.<br /><br />Prep is the key.

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Re-Chrome and refinish ??

Kagee:<br />Check around Toledo for someone who sells new and trade in rims. You want the one that come off light duty trucks, was told they are tougher.<br />I got 4 last summer, chromed, like new for $100.00.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Re-Chrome and refinish ??

Will have to double check wheel size... never thought of take offs.<br /><br />If I keep the existing ones, I think I'll have them dipped and powder coated.<br /><br />The hub caps say "Shorlandr" and were originally chromed. Thought it would be nice to make them as they were.

 

[cc lancer]

Re: Re-Chrome and refinish ??

The hub caps say "Shorlandr" and were originally chromed.<br />Well I would spend the extra bucks and have them chromed. To have something unique, a little different from everyone else.