I am trying to decide weather I should keep my wheels chrome or paint them factory silver. The two front rims are excellent, but the rears need rechroming. I can have the plating chemically stripped and repainted for about the same price s rechroming the 2 rear wheels...What is your opinion?

 

 

Not a huge fan of chrome, so between the two choices I would go with the painted...

 

You have Sophie's Choice there my friend. British cars can pull off the chrome wheels. I like either one in your circumstance. If you were to paint them, I'd go a with darker color like a gun metal; looks more modern than the regular silver.

If you did stick with chrome, you could get the chrome side view mirror covers and/or vents too. Would make it like a new to you car.

 

Copper plated!

 

I think it looks great with the chrome wheels. I'm honestly not a fan of black, or dark coloured wheels. Maybe painted wheels would make the car look more 'modern' as mosesbotbol suggests.

Here is my X150 in Emerald Fire Pearl with the factory-painted wheels.

 

I struggled with this last year. I like the chrome wheels but I love the look of my painted Caravelas so I left it alone.

 

BTW, Copper plating is the first stage of chrome plating. So much cheaper. But it needs paint, which eats the lunch.

 

One problem with chrome wheels (both "old school" electroplated and "new school" PVD coating process) is that a small scuff - curb rash - can't be easily and cheaply repaired like a painted wheel by a mobile repair specialist. Chrome plating can't be touched up and blended; the entire wheel has to be rechromed. And there might not be anyone nearby who does that work, so you'll have to ship the damaged wheel to get it replated. Most factory chrome wheels today are PVD coated because of environmental issues with the hazardous chemicals used in the electroplating process.

Another problem with chrome plated wheels is maintenance. Road salt, brake dust and just plain dirt can cause the chrome to become pitted and flake. Chrome plating also makes a wheel heavier than other finishes.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If chrome is your bling thing, I recommend the PVD coated process over electroplating. My powder coated Selena wheels turned out similar to PVD chrome with a black basecoat covered in hypersilver and a clearcoat on top.

 

+1

 

I have had the wheels both ways. On my 2012 black XK I had the 19" Caravelas chrome plated. With a canvas colored top and Ultimate black body I thought the look was fantastic. With my Rhodium Silver 13XKR I had the polished Orona painted and I think the XKR looks much better with the painted wheels. What I'm saying here, I think it all depends upon what color your car is and then you add in personal opinion. What ever way you choose to go, you have a beautiful vehicle.

 

You can have them painted in a way that looks very close to chrome, but with the benefits of being painted. I'd go that route if I were you. I think though that hyper silver looks really good on these wheels.

 

 

 

My refinished Selena wheels (Post #9, above) are a good example because the center spoke in the group of three is a chrome overlay. Enlarge the photo and compare the center spokes to the rest of the wheel.

 

I see chrome as old school where new school seems to be black. That leaves silver painted and satin finish as middle of the road colors. I prefer silver painted but that's my opinion.

 

Viper after seeing the pic of your xk Im actually surprised at how good the Chrome looks on your particular colour scheme.. it even ties in the chrome window surround very very nicely

 

Ya' My thought so far the chrome is a little "blingy" for me...Not a huge fan of black or really dark rims...I think the best would be the hyper silver or similar...Some people hate black rims, some people hate polished or chrome rims, where silver is typical but very mainstream and non descript, but most will not hate them! Does anyone know if the 12 point fake bolts come out easily, or do they strip out?

 

I've got the same color scheme as the OP (claret). I really like the chrome wheels. If (when?), I have to refinish, I'd rechrome. I have got unsolicited positive comments about the chrome wheels. But, whatever makes your wheels turn.

 

The 12 point stud bolts are exactly that they are real and a nightmare to remove as they have lock-tite my suggestions from experience is to leave them in and paint over them