Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: Frank Mallory on July 25, 2011, 18:07:08

Title: Adsit wheels alternative?
Post by: Frank Mallory on July 25, 2011, 18:07:08: I'd like to get a set of chrome 14x6.5 Bundt replicas for my car, but I understand that some members are unhappy with the quality of the Adsit alloys. Is there another source for these style wheels?

(http://i15.ebayimg.com/02/i/06/6a/5b/c4_1.JPG)
Title: Re: Adsit wheels alternative?
Post by: IXLR8 on July 25, 2011, 22:32:34: Hi--

There are a number of vendors of these chrome wheels--Performance Accessories, Beverly Hill Motot Accessories, eBay, etc.

I have never seen any of the vendors guarantee the durability of the plating beyond a year or two.

Joe
Title: Re: Adsit wheels alternative?
Post by: glenn on July 26, 2011, 02:33:20: Hi, I've got a set of four. They'll be at PUB for sale. 617 947 6399
Title: Re: Adsit wheels alternative?
Post by: Benz Dr. on July 26, 2011, 18:35:43: Not that you can't chrome plate your rims or that it doesn't look good, it's more about two levels of hardness. The aluminium is much softer than the chrome plating and tends to flex a bit when you hit larger bumps in the road. This can cause the chrome plating to crack over time. Moisture will get under the plating and corrosion will begin to lift the plating off of the aluminium surface.
This is why they were painted at the factory. Paint will move with the surface it's applied to and has a far less tendency to crack or start falling off. If you happen to live in a dry climate with good roads then you should be OK.
If find chrome plated rims to be overly bright - too much bling for my tastes but each to their own.
Title: Re: Adsit wheels alternative?
Post by: mdsalemi on July 27, 2011, 11:47:47: There are some powder coat powders that mimic about 95% of a chrome plate job, probably not detectable by anyone except upon "on your knees" close up inspection. This would be considerably more durable and quite a bit less costly than chrome.
Title: Re: Adsit wheels alternative?
Post by: rogerh113 on July 27, 2011, 13:49:00: Hi,

If you really want the chrome look, but better and totally durable, polish the rims or get them polished. It's quite a bit of work (no need to ask how I know), but the results are really stunning. Much softer look than the chrome, and nothing to chip away. My polished rims have been in service about 6 years now and only need the very occasional polish with Mother's to keep looking great. The standard painted bundt really pale in comparison to the polished (but the ride improvement with them is still worth the effort).

Regards -- Roger
Title: Re: Adsit wheels alternative?
Post by: Frank Mallory on July 27, 2011, 20:27:29: I'll keep that in mind Roger. Actually: I do have a wheel polishing guy who's done plenty of aluminum wheels for my American cars. He charges about 80 bucks a wheel, which is reasonable considering (as you said) you would never have to deal with chipped or peeling chrome on your wheels again...
Title: Re: Adsit wheels alternative?
Post by: scoot on July 30, 2011, 17:03:58: Quote from: Frank Mallory on July 27, 2011, 20:27:29
I'll keep that in mind Roger. Actually: I do have a wheel polishing guy who's done plenty of aluminum wheels for my American cars. He charges about 80 bucks a wheel, which is reasonable considering (as you said) you would never have to deal with chipped or peeling chrome on your wheels again...
Does polished aluminum need a finish applied (clearcoat) or anything for protection?
Title: Re: Adsit wheels alternative?
Post by: rogerh113 on July 31, 2011, 13:30:39: No clear coat or other protection required for the polished wheels. The occasional light hand polish with Mother's is all that is required - I do that every year or two, and it is just a few minutes.

Regards -- Roger