Chrome Wheel Skins...

C6Racer · January 7, 2009

How's it going everyone?

I've been wanting to remove the chrome wheel skins on my truck (see signature). I'd like to have black wheels because that's just my thing, I love black wheels. I've seen people selling new skins on eBay, so I'm assuming they're removable.

Has anyone done this? If so, does anyone have any suggestions on an easy way to do so without having to dismount the tires? I've tried getting a slotted(flat head) screw driver behind the chrome skin to pry it off, but I can't seem to do it. I can't figure out how it's fastened onto the wheel.

Thanks in advance! -Lorenzo

Zembonez · January 7, 2009

I haven't heard of anybody pulling the stock skins off. The ones on Ebay are plastic clip ons... not the stainless steel (like?) skins on an OEM wheel. You might just have to be the first one and let us know how it goes!

I'm sure you would have to pull the tire off of the rim. Don't the chrome skins wrap around the edge?

C6Racer · January 7, 2009

I'm sure you would have to pull the tire off of the rim. Don't the chrome skins wrap around the edge?

They don't completely wrap around. I can get to the edge without having to dismount the tires, but for some reason I just can't fit the damn screw driver under them. Then again, I haven't really tried that hard to figure it out. I wanted to see if anyone on here had any pointers before I go bust my rear on something I don't need to do.

Zembonez · January 7, 2009

I'm sure you would have to pull the tire off of the rim. Don't the chrome skins wrap around the edge?

They don't completely wrap around. I can get to the edge without having to dismount the tires, but for some reason I just can't fit the damn screw driver under them. Then again, I haven't really tried that hard to figure it out. I wanted to see if anyone on here had any pointers before I go bust my rear on something I don't need to do.

Sorry but I'm not much help. I bet they will come off. Guess you could attack one and see what happens. Worst case, you end up buying another one like it from the boneyard. .

hubbycap · January 8, 2009

I would try to trade them to someone that had the stock silver/grey wheels. I'm sure you would find a willing trader. Otherwise if you dismounted the tires and using a torch to soften the adhesive underneath the SS skin you could work from the center towards the flange and could probably get them off. I'm sure it would require a lot of prep or chemical stripper to get down to clean metal. I would trade someone and see if you could get them to pay for the tire transfer in the bargain. Then you would have easily paintable wheels and not near the work. Caveat: get both vehicles on the rack and spin the wheels to insure you both are getting straight and true wheels. You also would want to swap center caps so that the silver painted ones would swap with the unskinned wheels. It's hell to paint chrome plate.

Virgin cheers Jim.

Zembonez · January 8, 2009

I would try to trade them to someone that had the stock silver/grey wheels. I'm sure you would find a willing trader. Otherwise if you dismounted the tires and using a torch to soften the adhesive underneath the SS skin you could work from the center towards the flange and could probably get them off. I'm sure it would require a lot of prep or chemical stripper to get down to clean metal. I would trade someone and see if you could get them to pay for the tire transfer in the bargain. Then you would have easily paintable wheels and not near the work. Caveat: get both vehicles on the rack and spin the wheels to insure you both are getting straight and true wheels. You also would want to swap center caps so that the silver painted ones would swap with the unskinned wheels. It's hell to paint chrome plate.

Virgin cheers Jim.

That's a darn good idea from the wheel man himself!

Howdy Fred! Good to see you here.

C6Racer · January 8, 2009

Thanks for the suggestion, Fred. I will definitely see if I can find someone who is willing to trade. I would have done this a LONG time ago, but I always had second thoughts about ruining perfectly good chrome wheels. Thanks for your input too, Jim.

-Lorenzo

takevin · January 10, 2009

Or take them off and get them powdercoated black, or better yet get some nice black aftermarket wheels to stand out.

Spurshot · January 15, 2009

You otta be able to find some stock painted wheels in the salvage yards for very cheap. But, just to test whether you'll like black or not, spray yours with black paint on two of the wheels on one side to see. You can use acetone, mek, lacquer thinner, etc to wipe it right off once you view it. If you like it. buy some wheels.

ZZ327 · January 15, 2009

Thanks for the suggestion, Fred. I will definitely see if I can find someone who is willing to trade. I would have done this a LONG time ago, but I always had second thoughts about ruining perfectly good chrome wheels. Thanks for your input too, Jim.
-Lorenzo

I Think some years had the same style as yours as a spare tire rim already in black. Heres one on ebay cheap.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SILVERADO-S...sQ5fAccessories

GMAnimal · January 15, 2009

Black wheels would look really odd on that white truck like something was missing.

C6Racer · January 15, 2009

I Think some years had the same style as yours as a spare tire rim already in black. Heres one on ebay cheap.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SILVERADO-S...sQ5fAccessories

Now THAT wheel looks awesome. This truck is what convinced me I want to paint mine black. I absolutely love how black wheels look, even if they are stock.