[JimGnitecki]

When I was at the Atlanta auto show today, a repesentative from one of the tire shop chains told me they do exchange programs, where you place an order to exchange your non-chromed factory wheels for chromed, then brng the vehicle in about 2 or 3 days later, they take off an examine your wheels to make sure they are undamaged, and then install a set of factory wheels that came off someone else's SSR and have been chromed.

He was going to check the price for me to do my SSR wheels on that "exchange" basis.

Is this the best way to go, or is it better financially to buy a new set of chromed wheels, get them installed, and then resell the painted ones?

Or, is there a betetr way to get chromed wheels?

Or, are there after marlet alternatives that are worth looking at?

I don't want to spend a fortune. I just want a little more pizzaz, and the ease of maintenance that chrome brings.

Jim G

 

[Guest]

A tire shop chain does this? First I've heard of it. Who was it?

 

[JimGnitecki]

It's actually Butler Tire, which seems to have expanded into MANY auto accessories to help you "personalize" your car. They apaprently sell tires, wheels, ground effects, replacement grills, and other accessories. Trying to move into a broader and less-commodity type market.

Jim G

 

[HePaid4mySSR]

I had my factory wheels sent off to be chrome dipped--cost $1000---vs. buying the chrome wheels from GMC for $3500.

 

[JimGnitecki]

I followed up with Butler Tire today, and they want $1300 for an exchange program that works like this:

- I come in, place my order, and prepay

- Their California supplier ships SSR wheels that were originally painted alloy but which they have chromed (Butler says they are perfect and undamaged in any way)

- When the chrome wheels arrive (about a week since coming from California to Atlanta), I go in to the Butler. In the one visit they:
- Take off my wheels & tires
- Inspect my wheels to ensure undamaged since they are "cores" for someone else now
- Dismount my tires and mount and balance on the new chrome wheels
- Re-install into my SSR
- Ship cores to California

I figure the value of the labor above is likely at least $150, and 2 way shipping of 4 wheels has to cost a fair bit, so this might be a reasonable deal.

Thoughts anyone?

Jim G

 

[Boosted]

From some local people here in town I was told that the aftermarket chroming does not hold up well on the inside portion of the wheel due to brake dust. They said they had this problem on there prowler and that is why The manufactors are going with a plain rim on the inside and chrome on the out..

Just a thought....

 

[Furykay]

Chrome Wheels

Don't forget the center wheel covers (about $ 60.00 each ) I have a wheel shop in Dallas that said they plate the wheels for $ 10.00 per inch 18 = $180.00 & 20= $200.00. they will also send them to Calif. :seeya

 

[beer100]

From some local people here in town I was told that the aftermarket chroming does not hold up well on the inside portion of the wheel due to brake dust. They said they had this problem on there prowler and that is why The manufactors are going with a plain rim on the inside and chrome on the out..

Just a thought....

Is that because some break pads now have metallic compounds in them? I could see how that would mess things up.

 

[Flassh]

Brake dust isn't a major problem if cleaning the wheels is part of a regular routine. I have fully polished aluminum wheels, no clearcoat, on our Sonoma, and they look great. I have a mitt that I use for the lower cladding and the wheels whenever I wash my trucks. The new wheels for the SSR will also have full show polish, with no clearcoat.

We have a major problem in climates where salt is used. They eat the chrome or aluminum, especially backsides of wheels, unless they are properly maintained. We just take ours off and go to winter wheels for a few months

This is what an improperly maintained Mercedes wheel looks like after a season of salt when only the spokes were kept clean - kinda missed the backsides.


Ray

 

[mikepowell]

breakdust?

they do something different on our ssRs, no dust!
what do they do different? :flag

 

[JimGnitecki]

I checked with Butler this morning. Their supplier chromes only the outside of the wheels, just like the factory wheels. They also DO chrome the centercaps (included in the price).

Jim G

 

[HePaid4mySSR]

I found out yesterday that the place that chrome dipped my wheels in AZ has a lifetime warranty on the wheels--as long as Im not the cause for the mishap--ie. scraping a curb, etc. :cool

 

[jstrct]

This is a copy of a quote from Capital Wheels( capitalwheels.com) for my 05. They have good quality wheels (I've gotten Vette and Lexus wheels) through their exchange program.

We offer chrome exchange (the same wheels chrome plated for the same wheels)
exchange the cost is $650 for the set including caps plus shipping and
handling $90 plus refundable core charge $900 set .
They are triple plated ,which means they have a copper then nickel then
chrome layer and come with a one year warranty against peeling and
blistering . We DO NO RECOMMEND driving on them in the SNOW or on SALTED
roads this will cause the chrome to pit in the slots and is NOT COVERED by
the warranty. We use the highest quality chrome available.

Please spin your exchange wheels before shipping them back for a refund on
your core deposit. A repair fee will be charged if the exchange wheels are
bent or slightly damaged .Used chrome wheels are not acceptable as exchange
core wheels.
once you send back the exchange silver wheels you will get your core deposit
back.

 

[Guest]

Chrome SSR wheels and mud flaps

I called Capital Wheels and they don't have any SSR wheels. Anyone know of another simular source?

Also any information where to get mud flaps, especially for the front?

 

[RonC]

From some local people here in town I was told that the aftermarket chroming does not hold up well on the inside portion of the wheel due to brake dust. They said they had this problem on there prowler and that is why The manufactors are going with a plain rim on the inside and chrome on the out..

Just a thought....

All Prowlers have that problem if the wheels are chrome. The off the showroom floor prowlers do the same thing too. Just a poor job on the chroming from the start in my opinion. I've owned two of the cars and after a few years they all do it. If you get a good chrome job, you shouldn't have this problem on the ssr.

 

[ECurtis]

Not All

All Prowlers have that problem if the wheels are chrome. The off the showroom floor prowlers do the same thing too. Just a poor job on the chroming from the start in my opinion. I've owned two of the cars and after a few years they all do it. If you get a good chrome job, you shouldn't have this problem on the ssr.

Not all Prowlers, My Prowler is a 2001 and after four years there is no pitting or peeling. I also do not drive it in snow or rain.

:seeya E :seeya

Orange SSR :ssr

 

[Action]

chrome rims

I would not have bought my SSR without the chrome rims. Couldn't you have just paid an extra $1500 at the dealership to get them put on? I think that was the price on the window sticker.

Jason

 

[JimGnitecki]

Action: No. That was the price if they came on the SSR from the factory. Aftermarket, they are over $3k.

Jim G

 

[ECurtis]

Best Economical Way to Get Chrome Wheels

People, it's so obvious, the absolute best economical way to get chrome wheels is to steal them off of other peoples rides! :glol :reddevil

Just kidding :lol

:seeya E :seeya

Orange SSR :ssr

 

[Guest]

called butler tire in PA yesterday and the guy said he didn't know anything about an exchange program and that they have never done that before.

what butler tire are you referring to?

p.s. phone #'s please to these dealers?!

thanks