New Z28 Owner...question about chrome wheels

[s900]

Hi everyone

This is my first post. I recently bought a used 2002 Camaro Z28 6spd. The problem I'm having is with the chrome wheels. I noticed the chrome flaking off at least three of the four wheels. I don't know why this is happening. Has anyone experienced this problem? I'm working with the dealer now to get them replaced since it is still on the 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty. Any help is appreciated.

[mr._bowtie]

First things first. CONGRATS on the purchase of your new/used Z and welcome to Z28.com!!

All I can figure is there was a problem when the wheels got dipped in chrome. They should not be peeling like that. If they are covered by warrenty dont worry about it, just get em changed out and be happy!!

[s900]

Thanks for the reply. I was just wondering if this is a common problem with factory chrome wheels.

[camaro_ss]

you know something s900 i got me a set of zr1 chrome wheels for my 1999 camaro ss i got them used and when i got them thay where peeling very bad so i sold the wheels and thinking of buying a brend new set of zr1 chrome wheels from slp but im scraed of getting them couse i dont want them to peel

[mr._bowtie]

My factory set of chrome wheels on my Z were starting to peel on the inside but the outsdie finsih was still in excellent condition.

[MoffZ28]

Eight years old and never flaked....hmmmmmm????

[s900]

My wheels are also peeling from the inside out. Is there anything that can be applied to the chrome wheels to prevent them from peeling? I wonder if it's debris from the brakes that cause the problem.

[mr._bowtie]

And still looking very nice if I may say so!!!

[cooley346]

Some of the wheel cleaners will actually eat the chrome. That's probably the problem, someone used the wrong cleaner.

[MoffZ28]

I have always used chrome polish.
You may have something there with some of these new wheel cleaners...User beware....It'll clean the chrome right off of your wheels!!!

Thanks Mr. Bowtie!!! I just bought new center caps.

[99smokinz28]

My 99 has had the same wheels on it for its whole life and none of them are peeling. lucky i guess

[s900]

I just went to the dealer during my lunch break. I showed the service manager the wheels. He's never seen that happen before. He also mentioned that the inside section isn't made of chrome...he doesn't know what type of metal was used. Now I have to wait for the GM Rep to show up and I hear that he comes around only once a month. I probably won't get my wheels fixed before the first snow storm. Does anybody know what type of material is used on the inside of chrome wheels?

[99smokinz28]

I thought the whole wheel is dipped in chrome

[99smokinz28]

I have one of my rims at home i can take a look at it

[Ryatt-Motion]

Just for the record, I just want to clarify a few things. GM never made chrome wheels. The dealerships actually have contracts with local wheels shops that perform chroming services. If one of the 3 vats are contaminated during the process, you will end up with a wheel that starts to peel prematurely. The Mercedes dealerships out here use the worst places for chroming because they have had numerous recalls. So many that my family won't even buy the chrome wheels anymore!

I will be brutally honest here in that you will be hard pressed to get the dealer to re-chrome your wheels because they will say that it was owner error and that you used the wrong chemicals on the wheels. You may get lucky and they might repair them for you, but it is a 50/50 crap shoot. Good luck to you and welcome to the site.