VW Type Wheels

I'm trying to decide whether to blast and silver powder coat my stock VW wheels or to buy a set of the after-market chromed VW wheels. I recall someone posting a message about the chrome being poor on these wheels. Comments anyone?

This sounds like a question for your accountent. GET WHAT YA WANT!!! if it is in the budget..with respect.

I haven't heard of any problems with chrome wheels from Intermeccanica. They are expensive, though.
Ron

My experience has been POOR QUALITY chrome. The ones on the Speedster had rust when I bought it (used), but I didn't know how old they were. Got Spyder rear wheels to alleviate clearance problems. They are Mangle (sp?) wheels and on a quiet night you can listen to them rust, really poor. Powder coating seems to be in my future. FWIW Bill

Ron,

Another possibility is to rechrome your existing wheels locally.

The quality of the chrome and its depth on the aftermarket wheels from Brazil S-U-C-K! A cloud moves overhead and mine start breaking out with rust zits. El cheapo.

I don't know if Henry gets a better quality of wheel or not.

I am going with powder coated rims myself. To my eye next to the fancy rims that George is getting painted rims look more authentic to the era.

Ron's got it, you pay to play.

Hey Ron,
I have a set of chromies on my car w/Porsche caps. They were put on before I bought my car over two years ago and the chrome looks great!
I don't know what they cost to buy right now but I may be interested to sell. I think I might need deeper offset wheels for my CMC flared so give me a call or e-mail if interested.
I do have pictures.
Thanks,
John

h (864)-286-9383
w (864)-231-1392
john.wodecki@afco-sc.com

i'm interested, bruceyoung5@aol.com, thanks.
ps--i sent you an e-mail, get it?

Hello Bruce,
Didn't get your e-mail. Did you get mine???
Please call me at (864)-231-1392 if you can.

Thanks,
John

Maybe I'm going blind(er) but the chrome seems to be holding up pretty well on my VS. I avoid driving in rain, but the climate conditions here are such that we have very humid summers. The insides of the hubcaps are a little rusty, but they really are cheap. Maybe the guy dipping my wheels in the chrome bucket got caught up in his balogna sandwich or was flirting with some factory cutie and left it in too long....the wheels I mean. Who knows?
John H.

My 1956 Speedster had silver painted wheels; thinking back to the Speedsters that people had in the Dallas Sports Car Club in the mid 1950's (then it was the MG Car Club of Dallas) I don't remember any chromed wheels - all were silver. The first chrome wheels I saw on a 356 Porsche was a set of the optional Rudge knock-offs on a new black Carrera convertible; it also had a black interior and top and was totally gorgeous.

I remember one or two Speedster owners in the club had the wheels painted to match their car.
(Message Edited 7/22/2003 5:24:11 PM)

Just another veiw point, my VS wheels are almost 2 years old and no rust at all. Maybe luck of the draw. Eddie

Yup my Mangles from Brazil have started lift the chrome after a couple of years. Mind you I just about daily drive in all weather conditions. Inside of the caps are starting to rust lightly also. Use Mangles but get a good coating of wax on em from new and it might help? Or get unchromed replicas if you can and then powder coat in silver, looks very period.

Thanks everyone for your comments! I decided to blast and silver powder coat my wheels. I am pleased with the original appearance and I'm sure the coating will hold up well. George: My original 1956 Speedster had silver wheels too. I wonder what percentage of cars originally was chromed?